NFL 2018
OVERALL:
80-75-8 -24.00
BEST BETS:
25-22-2 +4.00
Playoffs :
OVERALL:
5-6 -10.10
BEST BETS:
3-3 +2.50
SUPER BOWL LIII
BEST BET
19* New England -2.5
Probably not the matchup of the ages but nonetheless it should be a very interesting clash of teams built one with veterans and one based on youth.
The Brady era began what seems like a lifetime ago by defeating the greatest show on turf and Kurt Warner as a massive underdog to capture his first Super Bowl... now Brady is an old guy trying to beat back the youth of Goff and a young head coach of the Rams.
Rams put up their first winning season in 14 years so you would not be out of the realm of sanity to say getting to this point is a bit of a surprise for the Rams. Goff, who was a high draft pick, was on the verge of being tagged a proverbial bust before finding his stride this season under the offense of McVay.
Patriots do what they basically do every season... win the AFC East and contend for a title. This season they were forced to go on the road to win the AFC and take out a high powered Chiefs team as a slight underdog.
Expect the Patriots to take away the best weapon on offense for the Rams... that is the classic way that New England approaches it. So, one of the wide receivers most likely Cooks or Woods perhaps will be shadowed and Goff will be forced to go where he is not most comfortable.
Rams should seek to push their rushing attack which worked so well against Dallas but basically vanished against the Saints. Patriots are more likely to give up some rushing yards and then get stiff as the Rams approach the red zone.
Los Angeles will need a big game from Donald. The best way to slow down Brady is to get in his face up the middle and disrupt he ability to step directly into his throws... Donald is a force on the line and he is the best shot LA has at disrupting the Patriots flow.
Appreciate what the Rams have done this season but at the end of the day my money has to fall on the side of the proven commodity here and that will be Belichick and Brady. Patriots will use a variety of offensive schemes, but look for Edelman and a combination of backs to keep moving the chains.
New England controls the flow of the game on the offensive side of the ball and eventually begin to wear the Rams down. LA will put up a fight I do believe, but when the 4th quarter clock expires it will be the Patriots that are celebrating.
NEW ENGLAND 30 LA Rams 23
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