Will Patriots Bounce Back On The Super Bowl Stage?
The New England Patriots have reached the Super Bowl for the third year on the bounce and will be aiming to capture the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the sixth time in their history.
New England have been the modern-day NFL dynasty since the rise of Tom Brady in the 2001 season. With Brady as quarterback and Bill Belichick as head coach, the Patriots have won five of the 16 Super Bowls on offer and have an opportunity to become the most successful NFL franchise by winning their sixth crown – joining the Pittsburgh Steelers at the top.
The Patriots were denied last season by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII. It was a bizarre game, which began from the off when Belichick made the decision to bench cornerback Malcolm Butler. Butler had made the key play in Super Bowl XLIX to defeat the Seattle Seahawks with a goalline interception, but his time in New England ended on a lowest of notes.
Brady and his team-mate went blow-for-blow with the Eagles, who were able to cut through Belichick’s defense with ease. However, when driving in an attempt to win the game, Brandon Graham broke through New England’s offensive line to strip-sack Brady. The additional three points from the turnover and the time taken away effectively ended the game before a desperate Hail Mary fell out of the grasp of Rob Gronkowski.
There was a slight hangover from the Patriots, with reports of tension between Belichick and Brady. However, they’ve found their best form in the post-season and will be aiming for sixth triumph on the grandest stage.
Why The Patriots Can Win Super Bowl LII
The Patriots were below the usual high standards during the regular season. For the first time since 2009 they failed to win 12 games, which knocked them out of the top seed in the AFC Conference. There was doubt whether they would be able to reach the AFC Championship Game for the eighth year on the bounce when presented with the challenge of the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the Patriots dominated the Chargers with their running game. Sony Michel rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.
The 2018 first-round pick has become the centrepiece of the offense in the post-season and his ability to run the ball could be the difference on Sunday. He has been able to pick up chunks on the ground, which has eased the pressure on Brady. Rex Burkhead and James White hand the Patriots a three-headed monster and that will be the matchup the Patriots will aim to exploit against the edges and the undersized Rams’ linebackers.
Julian Edelman has found his form over the course of the campaign. He missed last season due to injury, but has not lost his ability to perform in the clutch. In the Patriots AFC Championship win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Edelman was there time and again to make crucial catches.
Matched up against Nickell Robey-Coleman, who has already let his mouth do a lot of talking this week, Edelman could thrive in the slot. Rob Gronkowski had a quiet season by his high standards. The Super Bowl could be his last game in the NFL. He showed signs of finding his best form against the Chiefs and it would be fitting for him to go out with a dominant performance.
Why The Patriots Could Lose Super Bowl LIII
The Patriots will be desperate to avoid becoming the third team to lose back-to-back Super Bowls. Only the Buffalo Bills and the Minnesota Vikings have lost in successive title games and Belichick’s men will be desperate to avoid the same fate. They have lost three Super Bowls, including their defeats to the Eagles last season. That loss did not follow the pattern of the other two to the New York Giants, where their offensive line crumbled under the pressure of the pass-rush.
The Eagles were able to control the game by raiding through the Patriots’ defense with ease. Belichick will have concerns that the Rams will be able to repeat the feat against the unit. Todd Gurley is a mismatch in the running and passing game against New England’s linebackers. Although Jared Goff is not a complete quarterback, he is more than effective if not pressurised in the pocket. New England barely laid a hand on Nick Foles last year and do not have a dominant pass-rusher on their roster.
New England’s other feat will be the Aaron Donald factor. The best defensive player in the game can ruin the best of gameplans due to his sheer talent in the middle of the line. He has the ability to hit Brady and stifle the run game. With Ndamukong Suh and Dante Fowler Jr on the defensive line, the Patriots’ offensive line will have their hands full. It might not be enough to stop them, creating possible turnovers.
Betting Options
For the Patriots to win Super Bowl LIII they will have to score over 30 points amid the talent on the Rams’ offense. Brady and company should be ready for the challenge so back them at odds of 1.87Bet €100 to win €18787/100Bet £100 to win £187-115Bet $100 to win $1870.87Bet HK$100 to win HK$187-1.15Bet Rp100 to win Rp1870.8700Bet RM100 to win RM187 with Bovada to achieve the feat. Their defense will have to hang tough against Goff and company, although it could be another tight Super Bowl featuring New England. Back them to fend off the Rams and under 27.5 points at 1.87Bet €100 to win €18787/100Bet £100 to win £187-115Bet $100 to win $1870.87Bet HK$100 to win HK$187-1.15Bet Rp100 to win Rp1870.8700Bet RM100 to win RM187 with Bovada.
Goff should be good for at least one interception over the course of the contest, while Gurley was not convincing in the NFC Championship Game. Back the Rams to turn the ball over more than 1.5 times in the contest at 2.30Bet €100 to win €23013/10Bet £100 to win £230+130Bet $100 to win $2301.30Bet HK$100 to win HK$2301.30Bet Rp100 to win Rp230-0.7692Bet RM100 to win RM230 with BetOnline, with Goff losing a fumble at 4.25Bet €100 to win €42513/4Bet £100 to win £425+325Bet $100 to win $4253.25Bet HK$100 to win HK$4253.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp425-0.3077Bet RM100 to win RM425 and an interception from Duron Harmon at odds of 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450 with 888Sport. With those factors, New England could be on course for their sixth win at 1.74Bet €100 to win €17437/50Bet £100 to win £174-135Bet $100 to win $1740.74Bet HK$100 to win HK$174-1.35Bet Rp100 to win Rp1740.7400Bet RM100 to win RM174 with Bet365.
Tips Summary
New England Patriots To Beat Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LIII
Sunday 3rd February 2019 18:30 ET (23:30 GMT)
Odds: 1.74Bet €100 to win €17437/50Bet £100 to win £174-135Bet $100 to win $1740.74Bet HK$100 to win HK$174-1.35Bet Rp100 to win Rp1740.7400Bet RM100 to win RM174
New England Patriots To Score Over 30 Points Super Bowl LIII
Sunday 3rd February 2019 18:30 ET (23:30 GMT)
Odds: 1.87Bet €100 to win €18787/100Bet £100 to win £187-115Bet $100 to win $1870.87Bet HK$100 to win HK$187-1.15Bet Rp100 to win Rp1870.8700Bet RM100 to win RM187
Los Angeles Rams To Score Under 27.5 Points Super Bowl LIII
Sunday 3rd February 2019 18:30 ET (23:30 GMT)
Odds: 1.87Bet €100 to win €18787/100Bet £100 to win £187-115Bet $100 to win $1870.87Bet HK$100 to win HK$187-1.15Bet Rp100 to win Rp1870.8700Bet RM100 to win RM187
Los Angeles Rams To Commit Over 1.5 Turnovers Super Bowl LIII
Sunday 3rd February 2019 18:30 ET (23:30 GMT)
Odds: 2.30Bet €100 to win €23013/10Bet £100 to win £230+130Bet $100 to win $2301.30Bet HK$100 to win HK$2301.30Bet Rp100 to win Rp230-0.7692Bet RM100 to win RM230
Jared Goff To Fumble Super Bowl LIII
Sunday 3rd February 2019 18:30 ET (23:30 GMT)
Odds: 4.25Bet €100 to win €42513/4Bet £100 to win £425+325Bet $100 to win $4253.25Bet HK$100 to win HK$4253.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp425-0.3077Bet RM100 to win RM425
Duron Harmon To Record An Interception Super Bowl LIII
Sunday 3rd February 2019 18:30 ET (23:30 GMT)
Odds: 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450
- Bill Belichick
- New England Patriots
- NFL
- Patriots
- Tom Brady