Rams Open As 1-Point Favorites Against Patriots In Super Bowl LIII

Cover Image
Photo credit Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein reacts after his game-winning field goal in overtime of the NFL football NFC championship game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, in New Orleans. The Rams won 26-23. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
By EDDIE PELLS ,  AP National Writer

It's never been so clear: This year's Super Bowl matchup between the Patriots and Rams is a showdown between the NFL's past and its future.

Led by 24-year-old quarterback Jared Goff, the Rams and their 21st-century offense will take on 41-year-old Tom Brady and the Patriots, who are in search of a record-tying sixth Super Bowl title.

The Patriots knocked off the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday night 37-31 in the second overtime game of the day. The Rams reached their fourth Super Bowl in franchise history by sneaking into overtime and dispatching of the Saints -- not without controversy, though.

At 32, Sean McVay of the Rams (15-3) will be the youngest Super Bowl coach. He'll be going against 66-year-old Bill Belichick, who is taking the Patriots (13-5) to their third straight title game, fourth in the last five years and ninth since 2002.

That streak started against who else? The Rams.

Back then, though, they were in St. Louis. New England came in as a two-touchdown underdog and won 20-17.

The Rams open as a 1-point pick in this one, set for Feb. 3 in Atlanta.

Oddsmakers sent out #Rams as favorites but the money has already swung. #Patriots (-1.5, -2) at most Las Vegas and Global betting shops. #SuperBowl53 https://t.co/ETkTCT3pb7 pic.twitter.com/IvIWNV27WK

— VegasInsider.com (@TwitVI) January 21, 2019