Los Angeles Takes On New England In Super Bowl LIII

On Sunday the Los Angeles Rams who are a member of the NFC West will take on New England who are a member of the AFC East in Super LIII in Atlanta at Mercedes Benz Stadium that is home to the Atlanta Falcons who are a member of the NFC South.

Los Angeles comes into the game with a record of 13-3 while New England comes into the game with a record of 11-5.

As for how Los Angeles advanced to the super bowl they defeated New Orleans on the road in overtime.

The Rams got down early, but were able to overcome a 13-point, first-quarter deficit to defeat the Saints in New Orleans, 26-23. Los Angeles completed the comeback to hand New Orleans its first home playoff loss in since Sean Payton took over as head coach and Drew Brees took over as quarterback. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

This will be the Rams’ first Super Bowl appearance since XXXVI. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

New Orleans scored a field goal on its first drive, then added another after quarterback Jared Goff’s third-down pass went off running back Todd Gurley’s hands and into the arms of linebacker Demario Davis. The home team then scored its first touchdown after drawing the Rams offsides on 4th-and-2 from the L.A. 10. Saints quarterback Drew Brees hit tight end Garrett Griffin with a five-yard pass for the touchdown. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

Down by 13, the Rams needed something to get them going after another drive looked like it was about to end in a three-and-out. But punter Johnny Hekker cocked his arm on fourth down and found cornerback Sam Shields on the right side for a 12-yard gain on 4th-and-5 for a first down. Los Angeles was able to get further down the field, but the possession stalled on 3rd-and-6 when Gurley dropped a pass for what may have resulted in a first down. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

Greg Zuerlein’s 36-yard field goal was good to make the score 13-3. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

Then late in the first half, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh brought down Brees on back-to-back plays, setting up a long third down. Running back Alvin Kamara was well short of the sticks on his third-down reception from Brees to bring up a punt. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

Getting the ball back at the two-minute warning with a pair of timeouts, L.A. was able to get its first touchdown of the day. Goff connected with wide receiver Brandin Cooks on 3rd-and-10 from the L.A. 41 with a 17-yard pass on the right seam. The Rams took a timeout and on the next play, Goff connected with Cooks on a 36-yard pass down the left sideline to the New Orleans six. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

From there, Gurley took in a six-yard carry and Zuerlein hit an extra point to make the score 13-10. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

It looked like the Rams may have gotten a bit of momentum, with just a three-point deficit going into halftime. But the offense came out for the first possession of the third quarter and went three-and-out. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

And then the Saints used a grinding, 12-play, 71-yard drive to get down the field and score. Kamara had five touches on the possession, getting New Orleans into the red zone. But Brees hit do-everything wildcard Taysom Hill with a short screen on the right side for a two-yard touchdown to put the home team up 20-10. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

The Rams, however, kept the game close with their next drive. Goff connected with Cooks for gains of four, 14, and then 25 yards to put the offense in New Orleans territory. Then L.A. got the ball in wideout Josh Reynolds’ hands on a creative end around for a 16-yard gain down to the one-yard line. A couple plays later, the Saints bit on the play-action fake and Goff connected with a wide open Tyler Higbee for a one-yard touchdown to the tight end. “according https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

The defense then came through to force a punt, with slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman notching a pass breakup on 3rd-and-7 from the L.A. 47. But starting with the ball back at their own 13, the Rams went backwards on their ensuing drive and had to punt after a three-and-out. Goff was sacked on second down, which put the Rams well behind the chains. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

New Orleans started its drive at the L.A. 46 after a chop block penalty on the punt, which was strong field position for the home team. But a holding penalty put the Saints back in 1st-and-20. After an incomplete pass and a short carry, Brees couldn’t hit his 3rd-and-17 target, Ted Ginn, and the home team once again had to punt. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

Needing 92 yards to get in the box, Los Angeles got a huge off-schedule play from Goff and tight end Gerald Everett for a 39-yard gain on 3rd-and-3 from the L.A. 16. Then Goff connected with Reynolds on an out-and-up route on the left side for 33 yards, down to the New Orleans seven. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

Though the Rams had 4th-and-goal from the one-yard line, McVay elected to kick a field goal to tie the game at 20 with 5:03 left in the contest. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

Kamara returned the ensuing kickoff to the New Orleans 30, and then caught a pass on 3rd-and-2 for an eight-yard gain to give the home team a first down at its own 46. While defensive tackle Aaron Donald picked up a tackle for loss, Brees then connected with Ginn on a 43-yard pass down the right side to put the ball at the L.A. 13 at the two-minute warning. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

On that set of downs, however, Brees threw an incomplete pass on first down, Kamara ran for no gain on second down, and Brees fired another incomplete pass on third down. While Will Lutz connected on his 31-yard field goal to give New Orleans a 23-20 lead, Los Angeles got the ball back with 1:41 left and one timeout after a touchback. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

Goff connected with Reynolds over the middle for a 19-yard pass, setting up Los Angeles at its own 44-yard line. Then he hit Cooks to set up 3rd-and-3, and followed that by connecting with an open Robert Woods over the middle for a 16-yard gain to the New Orleans 33. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

McVay used the team’s last timeout with 45 seconds left following Woods’ catch. After a short completion to Gurley, and a rushed incomplete pass on 3rd-and-7, Zuerlein nailed a 48-yard field goal to tie the game at 23 with just 15 seconds to go.”according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

The Saints elected to take a knee after receiving the kickoff and the game went to overtime. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

With Kamara taking the ball out of the end zone to the 26-yard line on the kickoff, the Saints got a first down with a pass interference penalty. But then the Rams got their first takeaway of the day on 2nd-and-16 from the New Orleans 34. Following a six-yard TFL by Donald, Fowler came in and hit Brees to force an errant pass on the left side. Safety John Johnson was there to intercept the floating pass, giving the Rams the ball at their own 46. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

Goff began the overtime period with a 12-yard completion to Higbee on the right side. After Anderson got stuffed on a run play, Goff completed another pass just like the last to Higbee for a six-yard gain. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

After an incompletion on third down, Zuerlein was set up for a 57-yard field goal attempt to send the Rams to Atlanta. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

He. Nailed. It. “according to https://www.therams.com/news/rams-beat-saints-in-overtime-in-new-orleans-head-to-super-bowl-liii

Like Los Angeles, New England also needed overtime to advance to the super bowl as they defeated Kansas City on the road.

In more ways than one, Kansas City embraced this latest AFC Championship as a home game for the Chiefs, not only because it would be played at Arrowhead Stadium. All week long, this area and its football team reveled in the fact that the Lamar Hunt Trophy – named for the Chiefs’ late founding owner – had finally come home. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

Here’s the historical context: “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

New England and Kansas City were founding members of the old American Football League in 1960. At the time, the Patriots went by Boston, not New England, while the Chiefs were located in Dallas and known as the Texans. They wouldn’t move to Kansas City and become the Chiefs until 1963. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

In January of 1967, the Chiefs appeared in the first-ever Super Bowl, falling to Green Bay 35-10. Three years later, K.C. defeated Minnesota 23-7 to claim the Chiefs’ first NFL title. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

That win represented the last time the Chiefs appeared in a Super Bowl. There wasn’t an AFC Championship Game that year because, although the AFL and NFL officially announced plans to merge in 1966, the deal wouldn’t be finalized until the 1970 season. So, Kansas City advanced to Super Bowl IV simply as champions of the AFL following the 1969 season. Richard Nixon was president. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

The next year, in 1970, the merger became complete and, since 1984, the trophy given to the team who wins the AFC Championship has been known as the Lamar Hunt Trophy, named for the longtime majority owner of the Chiefs and one of the founding fathers of the AFL. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

Entering today’s game at Arrowhead, the Patriots had captured the Lamar Hunt ten times, but Kansas City hadn’t ever done so. They had one chance in January 1994, but lost at Buffalo. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

Kansas City had never hosted an AFC title contest before today. In fact, when the Chiefs conducted their first press conference of this past week back on Wednesday, they were able to display the traditional helmets of the participating teams alongside the Lamar Hunt Trophy for the first time ever. The Chiefs felt as if this was, at long last, their opportunity not only to show off “their” trophy, but keep it in town as well. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

For the Patriots to pull off an upset in hostile Arrowhead, they would need to control both sides of the line of scrimmage, drain the clock as much as possible by running the ball effectively, and put the Chiefs in an unfamiliar position of having to play from behind at Arrowhead, thus take the loud home crowd out of the game. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

“We knew it was going to be a tough, physical game,” center/co-captain David Andrews said afterward. “We wanted to start fast and we were able to do that.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

After losing the opening coin toss, the Patriots ended up winning it because the Chiefs elected to defer, giving New England the first crack at the ball. Looking as calm as though they were strolling a tropical beach, the offense replicated its opening drive from a week ago. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels dialed up mostly rushing plays as the Patriots marched 80 yards in 15 plays, with rookie RB Sony Michel punching in the final yard for the first score of the night. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

New England’s defense then did its job, pinning K.C. deep in its own end and sacking QB Patrick Mahomes on 3rd-and-10 after a possession of less than two minutes. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

Working with a short field, the Patriots confidently, yet patiently got down again to the Chiefs’ 1-yard line, moving the game clock into the early second quarter in the process. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

Just when it looked like the Patriots were going to up the score to 14-0, QB Tom Brady threw a play-action pass into the end zone that was picked off by Kansas City LB Reggie Ragland. Mahomes and K.C. took over at their own 20 following the touchback. Again, though, New England’s D came up with a huge run-stuff on 3rd-and-1, forcing the Chiefs to punt. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

New England couldn’t capitalize, though, as the Chiefs held the Patriots on a 3rd-and-1 run. However, facing a 3rd-and-9 from just outside the Patriots’ red zone, Mahomes dropped back to pass and was dropped for a 14-yard loss by DE Trey Flowers. Rather than risk missing a long field goal, Kansas City chose to punt the ball back to New England. Earlier, Mahomes missed a wide-open Damien Williams in the end zone on a throw that likely would have tied the game. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

Flowers’ sack proved consequential, as Brady and the O – aided by a spectacular 3rd-down grab by RB James White – drove nearly the length of the field. Brady atoned for his earlier misfire with a wonderful pump-fake throw to WR Phillip Dorsett, who, despite being blatantly interfered with in the end zone, managed to come down with the ball and double New England’s score.”according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

A Kyle Van Noy strip sack of Mahomes nearly found its way into LB Dont’a Hightower’s hands, which could have resulted in a scoop-and-score, but Mahomes fell on the ball to end the first half – a half the Patriots thoroughly dominated. New England held the ball for 21 of the first 30 minutes and shut the Chiefs’ offense out at home at halftime for the first time under head coach Andy Reid. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

“We talk about faith all the time in our locker room,” special teams co-captain Matthew Slater told reporters inside a congested visitors locker room less than an hour after the final play. “It’s easy to have faith when things are going well, when it’s tangible, when you can see it in front of you, but faith is when you can’t see what’s in front of you and how things are going to work out, you still have to trust your process. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

“You have to believe in the man next to you. That’s when it really matters. You can’t say you have faith till you’ve been in the fire, and we certainly have been in the fire this year – 3-5 on the road, too old, not athletic enough, but hey, that’s all right. That’s all right.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

K.C. wasted little time in the third quarter, taking the opening drive of the second half all the way to cut New England’s lead in half, thanks in large part to a 54-yard pass surrendered by CB Stephon Gilmore on 3rd-and-2. TE Travis Kelce caught Mahomes’ next pass for a 12-yard TD. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

Gilmore’s teammates bailed him out on Kansas City’s next drive, however. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

The Patriots’ defensive front continued to pressure Mahomes and force him into off-target throws. CB Jason McCourty then made a tremendous pass-defense on 3rd-and-long from deep in Chiefs territory and K.C. had to punt. Another short field gave Brady and the O another scoring opportunity, but they had to settle for a field goal from Stephen Gostkowski to make it 17-7 with four minutes to play in the third quarter. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

That score remained as the fourth quarter started and the Chiefs moved the ball to New England’s 14-yard line. The next two plays were a PI penalty against rookie CB J.C. Jackson in the end zone and a 1-yard TD toss by Mahomes to his running back Williams. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

“That’s been our journey, I think, throughout this entire season,” cornerback Jason McCourty observed. “Our struggles on the road, starting off 1-2, there’s always been something for us to overcome, something to bind us together. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

“Throughout the adversity, between our young guys, our old guys, there’s always somebody to pick you up, and always knowing there was time left on the clock, we always felt like we were fine.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

The key sequence of regulation came with New England’s offense facing a 4th-and-less-than-a-yard at the K.C. 25. Rather than kick a field goal, the Patriots ran Rex Burkhead, who got smothered at the line for no gain. The Chiefs took over down only three with 9:33 left in the game. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

The Patriots’ D held once again, but on the ensuing Chiefs punt, return man Julian Edelman appeared to touch the bouncing ball and a K.C. player recovered. But Edelman protested immediately to the officials, claiming he never touched the ball. Replay review confirmed Edelman’s assertion and the Patriots maintained possession at their own 26-yard line. It may have been an even closer shave than the catch Edelman in Super Bowl LI two years ago. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

Two players later, a Brady pass definitely touched Edelman’s hands as the ball ricocheted off them and into a Chiefs defenders’ grasp. Mahomes and K.C. had the ball deep in Patriots territory with about eight minutes left, but only needed 10 seconds to score and take their first lead of the night. Brady and the O responded, but once more faced 4th-and-less-than-a-yard at the Chiefs’ 10. This time, a gaping hole emerged for Michel and he raced through it untouched to the end zone. With 3:32 to go, the Patriots clawed back on top 24-21. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

An almost-INT of Mahomes in the end zone by Jonathan Jones wound up on the grass, and on the next play, Mahomes completed a long pass inside the 5. The Chiefs ran it in on the next play to regain their lead just before the 2-minute warning. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

New England still had time and all its timeouts. A good kickoff return by Cordarrelle Patterson set up the final possession. A pass reception reviewed and overturned and an offside by the Chiefs negating a game-sealing INT were just two of the crucial plays that ensued. But it was Burkhead’s final run, barreling into the end zone from four yards out, that looked like it decided the outcome, but with under a minute to go, K.C. tied the game with a field goal. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

Overtime. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

Slater correctly called “Head” to give the Patriots the ball. He revealed his reason, which he credited to his father, Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive lineman Jackie Slater. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

“God is the head of our life. So, we call heads. Simple as that,” Slater smiled. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

God may indeed be the head of their lives, but Brady had control of the offense, and Slater, among others, certainly, took comfort in that fact. “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

“I felt pretty good about our chances. Because we have Tom Brady as a teammate,” he admitted. “I always feel good about my chances.” “according to https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-in-overtime-patriots-finally-overcome-road-adversity

Kick-off is set for 6:30pm from Mercedes Benz Stadium. The game will be televised on CBS.