Coach Jeff Reinebold outlines his keys to Super Bowl LIII between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams.
Reinebold and the Sky Sports team are in Atlanta this week ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl. As we get closer to the action, Jeff goes through where he feels the game will be won and lost...
Rams: Don't make the game bigger than it is
Jeff says - "Early in the game, the nerves can't affect you. The Patriots have all the experience. Just remember: It's a 100-yard field, 53 yards wide, the goalposts are the same they have been all year. Don't get caught up in the game, just play the game."
All eight of the Patriots' Super Bowl appearances under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have come down to the wire, with every game being decided by eight points or fewer. And astonishingly, New England have only scored three points in the first quarter in all of those games combined. The Rams have to go into the game knowing New England aren't a juggernaut that can't be stopped, despite their long history of success.
Two years ago, the Falcons had the Patriots where they wanted them with a 25-point lead but let those big-game nerves seep in. Last season, Philadelphia were aggressive and relentless all game in order to come away with the win. For any team to beat the Patriots, they need to start fast, play with confidence, and finish fast too!
Rams: Stop the run
Jeff says - "That front four has not only got to get after Brady, it's got to stop the run and make Brady throw in third-and-long and second-and-long situations. At the back end - you've got to hold up."
New England's running back duo of Sony Michel and James White could be lethal for the Pats, with each player offering something different. Michel shined as a rookie, and has recorded at least 110 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns in each of the team's first two playoff games, while White has the most catches of any player this postseason (19) and arguably should have been named Super Bowl LI MVP.
Oh, and Rex Burkhead scored a pair of touchdowns last week too. New England's offensive line has a way of making things happen for whoever is behind it.
Meanwhile, the Rams surrendered the 10th-most rushing yards during the regular season (122.3) but gave up just 50 to Dallas in the Divisional Round and 48 to New Orleans in the NFC Championship game; both outstanding efforts. That level of play will need to continue on Sunday.
Patriots: Win upfront
Jeff says - "[Center David] Andrews and Shaq Mason at guard have got to have great days against Aaron Donald and [Ndamukong] Suh. That's easier said than done."
When you think of Tom Brady, you don't think of the improvised, highlight-reel plays we see from other stars around the league. Instead, it's drop back, set up, and throw. He's an all-time great at getting the ball out quick but his offensive line should take a huge amount of credit, led by coach Dante Scarnecchia. The group allowed just 21 sacks all regular season, and Brady has not been taken down once in the playoffs.
However, they have their hands full with Donald and Suh on Sunday. Donald led the league with 20.5 sacks this season - the most ever by an interior defensive lineman - and simply causes chaos on every single play, while Suh - a five-time All-Pro - is capable of taking over a game too. No doubt the Patriots will have a plan for Donald, but can they handle both elite defenders?
Patriots: Don't give up big plays
Jeff says - "They have got to hold up in man coverage because they are going to need man coverage to manufacture a pass rush against [Jared] Goff."
The Los Angeles Rams had the second-most yards per game (421.1), points per game (32.9), and third-most 20-plus-yard passing plays (69) this season. Goff ranked fourth in passing yards, fourth in yards per attempt, sixth in touchdowns and eighth in passer rating. It's clear the Rams will throw the ball, and do it well. However, the Patriots will simply have to limit it.
The Patriots only allowed 20.3 points per game in the regular season, but their pass defense can be iffy, having allowed the 11th and 10th-most passing yards and 20-plus plays, respectively. Last week, against a similarly explosive offense in Kansas City, New England allowed catches of 20 yards or more to five different players! It could be an area for LA to exploit.
@SkySportsNFL are in Atlanta all week - follow us for live video and a flavour of the madness.
For 90 minutes of Super Bowl LIII build-up from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta with Rob Ryan and Bucky Brooks, join us on Sky Sports USA, Main Event and Mix from 10pm on Sunday, February 3.