A couple of the more interesting subplots to Super Bowl LIII is the old school versus new school play-calling.
Rams coach Sean McVay, 33, will match wits with Patriots coach Bill Belichick, 66.
There’s also the play-calling matchup between Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, 42, and Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, 71.
“Wade’s defenses are very, very challenging,” McDaniels said. “They are very well-coached. He does a tremendous job of preparing for each opponent.”
The Patriots have leaned heavily on their rushing attack in the playoffs. They have rushed 82 times for 331 yards and eight touchdowns in wins over the Chargers and Chiefs. Former Georgia running back Sony Michel has been the main postseason ball carrier. He has 53 rushes for 242 yards and five touchdowns.
The Rams defense has been stingy in the playoffs. The Rams held the Cowboys to 50 yards rushing on 22 carries in the divisional round and the Saints to 48 yards on 21 carries in the NFC Championship game.
Will McDaniels stay with the run if the Rams are able to stuff them early?
“As much conversation as there is about game planning and all the rest of it, Wade does a great job of trying to stop what you do best,” McDaniels said. “They’ve got a really talented group at three levels.”
The Rams’ defense was pedestrian for most of the regular season as they ranked in the lower half of the league in total defense (19th) and run defense (23rd). They were 14th in pass defense.
The Rams covered up their deficiencies by getting turnovers. They had 30 turnovers and in the playoffs got a key interception of Saints quarterback Drew Brees in overtime to set up the game-winning field goal.
“They work extremely well together which is not surprising of Wade’s group,” McDaniels said. “Their rush allows the secondary to take chances and turn the ball over. The cover guys cover well enough to let the rush get there. It’s a very complimentary defense and they work well together.”
With quarterback Tom Brady at the controls, the Patriots offense is always potent.
“They change personnel a lot,” Phillips said. “You say Tom Brady, but they've had a lot of different players, a whole different offensive line, almost, than what we've played with Denver three years ago (in the AFC title game.) They're still efficient.”
Phillips doesn’t believe that Brady’s skills are diminishing for the 41-year-old signal-caller.
"Well, unfortunately for me, I get older, but Tom Brady doesn't,” Phillips said and chuckled. “Besides the guy being a great player, I just have so much respect for him. He seems like such – now, I don't know him well – but, he has so much class, he says all the right things all the time – the right kind of guy.
“He's leading the league in passing in the playoffs and he's already won four MVP's, so I don't know if there's any critics of him. If there are, I'd like to critique them."
The Rams defense is built around disruptive defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who was named the player of the year by the Professional Football Writers of America.
“The challenge that (Phillips) presents is always significant because he features his best players,” McDaniels said. “To me, what you can expect from Wade’s group, they play fast, they play physical, they don’t make mistakes and they don’t beat themselves.”
When troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon left the team and was suspended indefinitely, the Patriots were left without a deep threat. Running back James White is the top receiver in the playoffs with 19 catches. Slot receiver Julian Edelman has 16 receptions.
“When you have good players and you say hey, we’re going to make the other team run 10 or 12 plays to get in the end zone, usually you are counting on one of your guys to make a negative play or create a disruptive play to stop the drive,” McDaniels said. “They are so good at that. We have to do a great job of avoiding those situations. It will be our biggest challenge of the year.”
The Patriots also have tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has seven catches for 104 yards in the two playoff games.
“They are explosive and dynamic,” Rams cornerback Marcus Peters said of the Patriot receivers. “They get it done. They don’t beat themselves.”
The Rams’ improved run defense has caught McDaniels’ attention.
“I think that’s a tribute to (Phillips) and their group,” McDaniels said. “They are playing their best at the end. You don’t get to this game unless you are playing your best football now. That’s why we know this is going to be the biggest challenge that we’ve had all year.”
Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth said the players don’t focus on the play-calling or the play callers.
“It really comes down to Sean and Josh can both call the best players ever against Wade and Bill and it doesn’t matter if nobody executes it,’ Whitworth said. “It’s really about knowing that you have really good football coaches all over the field for both teams.
Rams running back Todd Gurley only had five touches in the NFC title game. McVay has said he planned to make sure he calls more plays for Gurley in the Super Bowl.
One of the nuances that McVay will have to look for from the Patriots is that they swing their edge rushers in passing situations.
“It’s certainly difficult,” Whitworth said. “You have to prepare and know each guy. Instead of just knowing one guy, you have to know what each guy rush is like and their style. It becomes more of a factor if these guys were really different, but these guys are pretty similar.”
Rams defenders believe in Phillips.
“We’ve got a game plan that coach Wade Phillips put together,” Peters said. “We’re going to execute it and go out there and put on a performance.”
