ATLANTA — The date was Feb. 3, 2002. That’s when the Patriots launched their historic run in Super Bowl XXXVI against the Rams. That’s when they beat the Greatest Show on Turf. Seventeen years later, on the very same date, will play the same Rams team – another offensive juggernaut – in Super Bowl LIII.

The Pats started out as the underdogs on some sports betting lines, but it wasn’t long before they turned into the favorites. This game features two of the top four scoring offenses in the league, a young offensive guru for a head coach in Sean McVay, and a legendary defensive genius at the helm of the Patriots in Bill Belichick.

The Patriots have 36 players who have played in the championship game before, while the Rams feature just four.

How will this game shake out? Let’s take a look at the matchups.

Quarterback

Tom Brady vs. Jared Goff

With the exception of throwing one forgettable red zone pick against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, we’ve seen vintage Brady during the postseason. He was masterful in the two-minute offense down the stretch and in driving the team the length of the field for the winning score in overtime, converting three long third down plays along the ride. If Brady continues in this mode, the Patriots will be tough to beat.

Goff, meanwhile, has flourished under Rams head coach Sean McVay. He led the NFL’s second leading offense behind the Chiefs. On the year he threw 32 touchdown passes with 12 interceptions. He threw for 4,688 yards, fourth best in the league. During the NFC Championship Game, he was 25-of-40, for 297 yards with one TD and one pick. He doesn’t have the playoff experience that Brady does, and right now, and it’s hard to bet against the old man with five rings.

Edge: Patriots

Running backs

Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead vs. Todd Gurley, C.J. Anderson

Every time Michel has a 100-yard game, the Patriots win. That’s been a formula for success. During the postseason, he’s rushed for 100-plus yards against the Chargers and Chiefs. White, who had 15 catches for 97 yards against the Bolts, had 4-for-49 against the Chiefs. Burkhead had more action with 12 carries for 41 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The unit as a whole has been very effective.

On the Rams side, Gurley is the star. He rushed for 1,251 yards during the year, but was injured late. The team claims he’s healthy. He was shut down by the Saints, with just four rushes for 10 yards and a touchdown. Or, the Rams simply didn’t use him for some reason. Anderson is a load to bring down. He was effective against Dallas, running all over the Cowboys in the divisional round, but didn’t have quite the same impact in the NFC Championship Game with 16 carries for 44 yards against the Saints. If Gurley’s healthy, the edge goes to the Rams. If they’re giving him the ball four times, something’s not right.

Edge: Patriots

Offensive line

Trent Brown, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon vs. Andrew Whitworth, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Austin Blythe, Rob Havenstein

Dante Scarnecchia’s unit has been tremendous during the playoffs. Brady has not been sacked, much less touched in the two games. The backs have also rushed for over 100 yards both games. They’re killing it right now.

As for the Rams, they’re considered one of the best run-blocking units, if not the best, in the league. When Gurley went down during the year, the offense really didn’t miss a beat in terms of its running game.

In terms of pass protection, however, Goff hasn’t been quite as well-protected as Brady. He was sacked 33 times during the season. Brady was only taken down 21 times. Goff has been sacked once during the postseason. Brady’s quick release might have a little to do with the discrepancy.

Edge: Even

Wide receivers

Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson vs. Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, Josh Reynolds, JoJo Natson

Edelman continues to be a clutch performer in the postseason. Adding in the seven catches and 96 yards from the AFC title game, he now has 105 postseason receptions (second all-time) for 1,271 yards (fourth all-time) with five touchdowns. Hogan also made his presence felt with some big-time catches with the game on the line. Dorsett has caught a touchdown pass in both postseason games. Patterson hasn’t done much.

Woods and Cooks have been a dynamic duo both in the regular season and playoffs. In the NFC title game, Cooks had seven catches for 107 yards. During the year, he set a new career high in receiving yards (1,204 yards). Woods caught 86 passes for 1,219 yards. Reynolds has taken over in the slot since the season-ending injury to Cooper Krupp.

Edge: Rams

Tight ends

Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen vs. Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett

Down the stretch against the Chiefs, Brady went to one of his old reliables when he had to make a play. And Gronkowski made some huge plays, particularly on third down. He’s been a dominant blocker, and re-emerged as a presence in the passing game. Allen is only being used to block.

Everett and Higbee combined for 57 catches for 612 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season. Higbee has six catches for 55 yards and a touchdown during the postseason. With Gronk coming on strong, have to go with the big lug on the Pats side.

Edge: Patriots

Defensive backs

Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon vs. Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, Nickell Robey-Coleman, John Johnson, LaMarcus Joyner

The Pats secondary held Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce to 65 yards combined in the AFC title game. That’s unheard of. Belichick employed his two fastest defenders Jonathan Jones and rookie Keion Crossen on Hill, and had Jackson, then Gilmore battle tight end Kelce. Safety Devin McCourty has had a terrific postseason.

The Rams secondary features Talib, who missed most of the year with an ankle injury. He was on injured reserve until returning Week 13. Talib and Peters are a formidable duo. Robey-Coleman is the slot corner. He was the player who clearly interfered with the Saints receiver down by the goal line and wasn’t called toward the end of that game.

Edge: Patriots

Linebackers

Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts vs. Matt Longacre, Samson Ebukam, Cory Littleton, Mark Barron

Van Noy was a stud against the Chiefs. The team’s leading tackler made Patrick Mahomes’ life miserable. He was constantly in the backfield pressuring the quarterback. Hightower and Roberts have also been solid.

For the Rams, they only play one true linebacker in this mix. Barron is really a safety, but they have him playing in the rotation as a linebacker

Littleton made the Pro Bowl and All Pro as a special teamer. The Pats unit is playing its best ball at the moment.

Edge: Patriots

Defensive line

Trey Flowers, Lawrence Guy, Malcom Brown, John Simon vs. Michael Brockers, Ndamukong Suh, Aaron Donald, Dante Fowler

Flowers continues to be a beast up front. The unit has done a good job shutting down run games and pressuring quarterbacks during the postseason. Adam Butler has been rotating in and playing well. Simon started against the Chiefs. Deatrich Wise has been nursing an ankle injury. It’s possible he’ll be back for the Super Bowl. Adrian Clayborn has been hot and cold as a pass rusher.

The Rams held the No. 3 scoring team in the league to 23 points in the NFC title game, and while quarterback Drew Brees got his with 249 yards and two touchdowns, Los Angeles held New Orleans to just 48 yards rushing as a team. The Rams allowed just 50 yards rushing to the Cowboys, and just 98 yards on 43 attempts in the last two games.

Donald, who led the league in sacks with 20.5, is the running for the NFL’s MVP award. He was the only unanimous choice to garner first-team All-Pro honors.

Edge: Rams

Special teams

Stephen Gostkowski, Ryan Allen, Cordarrelle Patterson, Julian Edelman vs. Greg Zuerlein, Johnny Hekker, JoJo Natson

In terms of field goals and extra points, Gostkowski has been perfect in two games. Allen hasn’t had much work, but continues to pin teams deep when given the opportunity.

Zuerlein kicked the 57-yard game-winner in overtime against the Saints. He’s one of the best in the game. Belichick, meanwhile, always raves about Hekker and his ability as a punter. Well, Hekker threw a pass in the NFC title game. It was a key play. Second quarter down 13-0, he threw a 13-yard pass to cornerback Sam Shields to convert and they scored a touchdown.

The Pats have better returners, but on the strength of Zuerlein, who’s automatic, and Hekker, slight edge to the Rams.

Edge: Rams

Coach

Bill Belichick vs. Sean McVay

When McVay was hired by the Rams in 2017 at age 30, he became the youngest head coach in modern NFL history. Now age 33, he’s exactly half Belichick’s age.

He’s worked under Jon Gruden and Mike Shanahan. Belichick has voiced a ton of respect for what he brings to the table, and the job he’s done.

Getting to the Super Bowl in your second year is impressive, but he still has a ways to go to top Belichick, who is in third on the All-time list in wins (291), tops in Super Bowl championships (five), Super Bowl appearances (nine) and consecutive winning seasons (17).

Edge: Patriots