Much was made of Sean McVay’s offense as his Los Angeles Rams prepared to take on Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots in Super Bowl 53. The main question: could the Patriots’ veteran secondary lock down—or even slow down—the Rams wideouts.

Mission accomplished.

Belichick’s defense, led by then-defensive coordinator Brian Flores, nearly pitched a shutout against the prolific Rams.

3 points allowed

260 total yards allowed

4 sacks

1 interception

3-of-13 allowed on 3rd down

One of LA’s three third-down conversions came courtesy of a defensive holding call.

With Carolina hosting the defending NFC champions in six days, we wanted to zone in specifically on the third down defensive game plan for New England, and hopefully give you an understanding of what the Rams like to do in these situations.

Please, step into our film room. Let’s take a look at what the Rams offense likes to do, and what it may take to slow it down.

It’s #Panthers Game Week. Film room time as the NFC champs are en route. Today, we examine what made things work on third for the #Patriots vs the potent #Rams. Tendencies. Formations. Personnel. A lot to unpack. Here is every 3rd down for the Rams offense from SB38. THREAD: pic.twitter.com/I4EY6p9UEo — John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) September 2, 2019

Next series. Already seeing the result of earlier pressure: MAX protect for LA, limiting options for Goff. 7 in coverge. Only 3 on the route. +4 typically wins on defense. Again, 12 is probably the better read here with the natural pick. pic.twitter.com/1GBDFd8AaF — John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) September 2, 2019

Next drive: 11 personnel again. Man, do they run this a lot. Another one-down lineman look. CJ Anderson holds back to block. No check down option. Solid coverage again in the secondary. pic.twitter.com/JZzDXUrWIs — John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) September 2, 2019

Next series. McVay stubbornly lines up in 11 personnel GUN with two yards to go. Not a bad read or throw. Just a great job by the DB driving on the ball. Rams still don’t have a third down conversion, folks. This is textbook defense. pic.twitter.com/QRplBxEa8b — John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) September 2, 2019

Next series. Wide splits by the DL. Rushing 4, stunting again. More confusion. TE hangs back and protection. 4 Rams on the route. 7 Pats in coverage. pic.twitter.com/4XZuSjYbWU — John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) September 2, 2019

Same drive. Next third down. 16 has a clear check down option here that he misses. One of the few times they didn’t go max protect on third down. More stunts equals more pressure up front for New England. Rams finally get points on the board with a long field goal after this. pic.twitter.com/b0r1p2mVAu — John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) September 2, 2019

Same drive. We’re getting late in the game. McVay abandons max pro for more route options. They get a break here with a defensive holding, but still excellent pressure up front with more stunts. Using their speed at linebacker on the pass rush. (Brian Burns fits that.) pic.twitter.com/A392Uclj2B — John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) September 2, 2019

Next drive. We’re near the five-minute mark. Goff connects on the crosser. No max pro here. pic.twitter.com/PaJwnuqV5t — John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) September 2, 2019

New England would go on four minutes later to win their 6th Super Bowl of the Belichick era. LA will have a healthy Todd Gurley next week. Cooper Kupp returns too. There are some schematic lessons to learn here. The #Panthers have the speed up front to make this kind of impact. — John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) September 2, 2019