NFL Playoff Predictions 2018–2019: Super Bowl LIII
This is probably the worst possible matchup that could’ve happened for me as a neutral viewer of the Super Bowl. As a Seattle Seahawks fan, the LA Rams are a division rival that has is looking to cement its place as the new kings of the NFC West and the New England Patriots are the evil empire that ended Seattle’s chance at becoming a true dynasty. I legitimately considered protesting the league this year and not watching, but we all knew that wasn’t going to happen. Alright. Let’s take a look at the teams vying for the crown.
2 years removed from Jeff Fisher’s 8–8 ceiling, the Los Angles Rams spent the entire offseason trading for and signing big-name players and loading up for a legitimate shot at a trip to the Super Bowl. This was either going to work or crash and burn in “dream team” Philadelphia Eagles fashion. Marcus Peters, Aquib Talib, Ndamukong Suh, Brandin Cooks, and Dante Fowler Jr. were some of the big additions made by the Rams to improve on their impressive 2017–2018 campaign. On top of this, they had Jared Goff improving in his second year under Sean McVay, Todd Gurley doing his usual thing, and Aaron Donald somehow improving upon his defensive player of the year season the year prior. Fast forward a few months and we find the Rams in a rematch against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game. And then the unthinkable happened. The refs handed the Rams a trip to the Super Bowl as silence overtook the Superdome and living rooms and sports bars across the country.
Another year, another Patriots trip to the Super Bowl. Let’s see. We had people question Tom Brady’s age, a few surprising losses to the likes of the Dolphins and Steelers, and murmurings of the end of the Patriots’ dynasty. So pretty much par for the course. Tom Brady is still slicing up defenses, Gronk is moving with a piano on his back but still effective as a blocker and a clutch catch when needed, Sony Michel is very impressive as a rookie runner, the offensive line may be the best in the league and keeps Brady untouched, and the defense isn’t star-studded but very well coached. I could write this same paragraph word-for-word for the next 30 years and it’ll probably still be correct. After an impressive overtime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and MVP Patrick Mahomes, the Patriots are onto their 11th Super Bowl.
It’s not going to be easy to watch. If someone held a gun to my head and said I have to root for someone, I’d have to go for… the Patriots. My line of thinking being that it’s like the Golden State Warriors winning the NBA Finals the last couple of years, it’s almost inconsequential. The Patriots have already established themselves as probably the greatest dynasty ever and Tom Brady the G.O.A.T. Everything from this point on is just additional garnish on the plate. I feel more indifference than hate for them at this point. In contrast, the Rams are disrupting the NFL with a young, cocky Sean McVay leading an offensive renaissance through the league. As a Seahawks fan, I don’t want them to have a Super Bowl title to gloat about in the window before they have to pay Jared Goff $200 million and fade back into irrelevance. Patriots win 30–28 over the Rams to win the Super Bowl. Tom Brady leaves a final drive that takes the lead with less than a minute left on the leg of Stephen Gostkowski. The Rams have to try and desperately lateral the ball up the field. Rob Gronkowski makes the game-saving tackle after inexplicably being lined up as safety once again. Why not? See you all next year when hopefully this isn’t as painful.
