USA TODAY International Edition
Super Bowl LIII could see big scores 1. Chiefs-Rams
No matter which outcome emerges on Sunday, Super Bowl LIII will feature teams known for running offenses at an elite level. The four squads competing happened to be the NFL’s top four scoring offenses. That’s not to discount the defenses playing in the conference championship games, but points and quarterback play are king in terms of delivering ratings. A look at the possible Super Bowl matchups, ranked from best to worst by entertainment value:
For any indication of how much fun this game could be, look no further than the Week 11 shootout, a 54-51 Rams’ victory in Los Angeles that was arguably the game of the season. The intrigue starts with innovative coaching staffs, led by Andy Reid in Kansas City and Sean McVay in Los Angeles, who constantly scheme players open and always look to push the ball down the field. In the last meeting, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Rams quarterback Jared Goff combined for 891 passing yards and 10 scores. Both offenses earned 1,011 total yards. The battle would feature six all-pro selections, led by Rams running back Todd Gurley and Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill. So many fans and media said after the Nov. 19 matchup they wouldn’t mind seeing a repeat in Atlanta. If it comes to fruition, we’re all in for a treat, except for those who favor games dominated by defense.
2. Patriots-Saints
If anything, this matchup sizzles because of two players: Tom Brady and Drew Brees. They are two of the best quarterbacks to have played the sport and remain icons of their generation. Incredibly, if New England and New Orleans meet up in Atlanta, Brady (41) and Brees (turned 40 Tuesday) will have 81 years between them. That will break the record for combined age (now at 78) between two starting quarterbacks in a playoff game, set Sunday in the divisional
round matchup between Brady and the Chargers’ Philip Rivers. More fun stats: Brady and Brees have combined for 12,590 completions, 144,951 passing yards and 1,037 passing touchdowns in the regular season through their 37 years of experience. Throw in Saints running back Alvin Kamara, receiver Michael Thomas, ascending Patriots rookie running back Sony Michel and two defenses that have steadily improved as the season has worn on, and it’s clear this matchup has all the makings of a thriller.
3. Chiefs-Saints
Although the Saints had the thirdranked scoring offense (31.5 points per game), the team experienced a shift in the second half of the season. Over New Orleans’ last nine games, including the playoffs, it has allowed opposing offenses to score 16.6 points per game after giving up 27.3 through the previous eight contests. Kansas City has featured the most consistently explosive offense all season, leading the league in scoring with 35.3 points. If both teams face off in Super Bowl LIII, it would be a showdown of strength on strength. But don’t sleep on the potential of a MahomesBrees matchup that would showcase a young passer who’s mastering arm angles and downfield throws (Mahomes) against the veteran who’s clinically accurate and fits passes into tight windows (Brees).
4. Patriots-Rams
If you love the Patriots, then you’re probably fine with this matchup. But if you have no rooting interest in Bostonarea sports, you might be suffering from Patriots’ fatigue and looking for another team to claim the spotlight. Though this might be the least entertaining of the possible outcomes, it has plenty of star power. In particular, one matchup could be pivotal. Typically, the best way of disrupting Brady’s timing and making him uncomfortable in the pocket is by generating pressure on the interior. Well, the Rams’ defensive line features two stars in the middle in tackles Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh. One other interesting storyline would be the battle between the league’s most respected coach in Bill Belichick against one of the top, young minds changing the way the game is played on offense in Sean McVay.