Los Angeles Rams v New England Patriots: Sean McVay’s newcomers hoping to upset Bill Belichick’s dynasty in Super Bowl LIII
On Sunday, in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the New England Patriots will take on a new pretender to their NFL throne.
But while Super Bowl LIII will be business as usual for the Patriots – a third in succession – their opponents are in a completely different position.
The Los Angeles Rams are back in the season finale after an 18-year absence. Having won back-to-back divisional titles for the first time since 1979, they feel it’s their time – but to prove it the Rams will have to overcome the dominant team of the last 20 years.
The two sides’ opposing Super Bowl histories is not the only contrast; in fact, just about every aspect of the teams serves to create an interesting backstory to the clash. This is old school versus new school; dynasty versus start-up; veteran versus new kid on the block.
Master and apprentice
Nowhere is the contrast greater than between the two head coaches, where the most successful and lauded of all time goes up against a newcomer.
The Patriots’ Bill Belichick is a legendary coach marking his 19th year with the franchise with a ninth Super Bowl. The 66-year-old has shaped the last two decades of NFL tactics, constantly changing plays, systems and processes to stay ahead of the competition.
In a competition specifically designed to foster parity through a salary cap and draft system, Belichick has led the Patriots to an unprecedented period of sustained success. He could extend his unrivalled record to six Super Bowls on Sunday.
The Rams’ Sean McVay could hardly be more different. While Belichick sets the agenda, McVay, in his own words, is “still young, still figuring it out”.
That’s hardly surprising, considering some of the records he has set. Hired in January 2017, then aged just 30, McVay became the youngest head coach in the NFL since 1938. Now 33, he is the youngest to guide his side to a Super Bowl.
Innovative and with an astounding memory to recall individual plays from previous seasons, McVay makes up for his relative youth by having lived and breathed American football.
The Atlanta-born coach is from a family steeped in the sport. His grandfather was inducted into hall of fame for his front-office role at the San Francisco 49ers, while his father and uncle both played college football.
Belichick, who texted his opposite number throughout the season, is not letting his guard down due to McVay’s inexperience. “I have a ton of respect for Sean,” he said. “They’re very consistent. They’re well-coached. He has a great scheme.”
Veteran and young gun
The contrast is stark on the field too, where the largest age discrepancy between quarterbacks in Super Bowl history is due to play out.
At 41, Tom Brady is eight years older than McVay and, like Belichick, is in line to make his ninth Super Bowl appearance on Sunday. His first – coincidentally against the then-St Louis Rams in 2002 – also serves as another marker: his opposite number Jared Goff’s first NFL memory, when aged just seven.
Now 24 and in just his third season with the Rams, Goff will become the fourth youngest playmaker in Super Bowl history.
Having overcome an NFC Championship game away to New Orleans Saints in an ear-splitting, hostile atmosphere, Goff should be ready for the biggest game of his fledgling career.
“He’s calm, cool, collected,” says Rams centre John Sullivan. “He’s an incredibly poised guy.”
To overcome the most successful and most experienced head coach and quarterback duo, McVay will need his key player to be on song under pressure in Atlanta.
“I have a lot of belief in him,” McVay said after the dramatic overtime win over the Saints. “I wouldn’t want anyone else leading this football team.”
The problem for the Rams is that Belichick has been able to say similar things about Brady for the last 19 years.