One cannot avenge a Super Bowl loss with a regular season win but if I’m Sean McVay, I have but one thing on my mind: redeeming myself. By now I’m sure you have seen it, the frankly embarrassing pre-game interaction between an awestruck McVay and the poised Jedi Master-like Bill Belichick prior to the kickoff of Super Bowl LIII.
After said interaction, being “The Art of War” enthusiast he is, my guess is that Belichick knew right then and there that he had him. The poised Jedi Master quickly morphed into the cunning, mysterious dark lord of the Sith. McVay never had a chance.
I imagine Yoda may have described it like so: “Ready for Darth Hoodie Sean, you are not.”
Embarrassing doesn’t quite cover it. Cringe-worthy is a closer description. If you have ever seen a live comedian bomb before your eyes then you know the feeling. Teacher versus student doesn’t quite capture it either. This was more like tenured Superintendent meets pre-school toddler.
Sadly for those who like to place Super Bowl bets, this pre-game interaction wasn’t seen by many until Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” aired their raw footage days after the game was played. Had people placing action on the game seen that pre-game meet and greet, all bets would have been on the Patriots.
That greeting between them was that telling and sticks to McVay to this day.
So here we are; it’s day of Patriots vs. Rams on Thursday Night Football nearly two years later. McVay’s Rams took a predictable dip after that February 2019 Super Bowl loss last season but are right back in the thick of it in the highly competitive NFC. The Rams sit atop the NFC West Division and are comfortably perched as a 3rdseed with an 8-2 conference record. This is a talented team in all three phases of the game and despite the good natured ribbing I, like many am giving the coach, it’s clear that his team responds to him. That is no joke.
Looking at the Tale of the Tape it’s really not close:
Offense
The Rams not only have more offensive fire power than the Patriots, they have a finely tuned passing offense, which as we know all too well in New England, the Patriots do not. If you haven’t seen them, know this, the Rams function well. When I watch the Rams and they have their groove going, the word ‘cohesive’ instantly comes to mind. Quarterback Jared Goff finds his favorite targets Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp with what appears to be great ease and consistency. Their passing plays are well schemed, a credit to their goofy, young coach. I’m kidding. McVay has a creative offensive scheme that clearly works well with the talent they have. Edge: Rams.
Defense
The Rams are a handful defensively, largely due to the very large, aggressive and skilled disruptive force, Aaron Donald. He’s a perennial MVP candidate and has a habit of blowing games up, individually. On the backend, standout corner Jalen Ramsey is amongst the league’s best and frankly could get very bored covering any one of the Patriots receivers. Edge: Rams.
Special Teams
This one must pull right at Belichick’s heart strings. Nobody values special teams and the game within the game that is field position more than Bill. He used this tactic brilliantly in his aforementioned championship triumph against McVay in Super Bowl LIII. Then Patriots Punter, Ryan Allen literally could have been that game’s MVP, but the guy on the other side, Johnny Hekker is otherworldly. Belichick himself has referred to him as “a weapon.” However, the Pats have been damn good on Special Teams this year too, particularly of late. Slight Edge: Patriots.
So while the tale of the tape certainly favors the Rams, this tale of two coaches to me will be the difference. McVay’s got the horses to win for sure, but the same can be said of these two teams last meeting. It’s a little different this time though. The Patriots have fought valiantly this year, despite gaps in talent surrounding all sides of the ball, as described in great detail here last week,
The Rams should win this game.
I guess it really comes down to this; does McVay redeem himself or soil himself again at feet of his master Darth Hoodie? You know me, I’m pulling for the Pats.
If I were a Rams fan however, I’m quite sure I’d be saying: “May the force be with you Sean, you’ll need it.”
For McVay, if Super Bowl LIII is any indicator, he sure will and maybe a new pair of shorts too.