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Super Bowl 53: What are the keys to a Patriots victory?

By Patrick Morgan

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots high fives Sony Michel #26 during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 13: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots high fives Sony Michel #26 during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 20: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 20: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 20, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

3. Shut down the Rams’ run game

Speaking of Gurley, what happened to him to in the NFC Championship Game against the Saints?

The workhouse running back and fantasy football juggernaut saw just five touches for 13 measly yards. He also had a pass bounce off his hands early in the first quarter, resulting in an interception that the Saints turned into a touchdown soon after.

So was he playing hurt or was he just playing “sorry,” as he told reporters after the game? That’s the million-dollar question heading into Super Bowl Sunday.

Gurley is the unquestioned focal point and engine of the Rams’ offense: he finished third in the league in rushing yards (1,251) and first in rushing touchdowns (17) during the regular season, adding in an additional 580 yards and 4 touchdowns through the air as well. Assuming he’s not still dealing with a lingering knee injury that cost him time in December, he’s inarguably the No. 1 priority for the Patriots’ defense to contend with.

The problem though for New England is that even if Gurley is hobbled or ineffective, Los Angeles’ C.J. Anderson has proved he can shoulder the load for the Rams’ offense in his stead. Signed off the street when Gurley went down, Anderson has rumbled for 167 yards in back-to-back playoff wins, averaging 4.3 yards per carry along the way.

The Patriots should be familiar with Anderson from his time spent with the Denver Broncos; though that doesn’t mean they can stop him. New England’s rush defense was its Achilles heel during most of the regular season, with the team ranking No. 9 out of the 12 teams that made the playoffs in terms of rushing yards allowed.

Thankfully the Pats’ line has stiffened up considerably in January wins over the Chargers and the Chiefs, limiting both squads to 19 2.and 41 rushing yards, respectively.

If they can log a similar shutdown effort against Gurley and Anderson in Super Bowl 53, it’ll go a long way toward assuring a victory. The Patriots are undefeated when they hold opposing teams below 100 rushing yards this season.

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