Tips, Tricks, Picks, and Odds.

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?

On Monday the 4th of February, we might just find out.

Below, the Hunter gives his preview of Superbowl LIII: where the unstoppable force of Jared Goff’s Rams will face the immovable object that is Tom Brady’s Patriots in what is sure to be a Superbowl for the ages.

THE GAME

Kicking off in Atlanta, Australians will have the pleasure to watch the Superbowl LIII on Monday the 4th of February at 10:30 AEDT. Expected to be watched live by over 100 million people; the clash will take place between the Los Angeles Rams of the NFC and the AFC’s New England Patriots. This game will be the second time the cities of LA and Boston face off in a major final this season, after the Redsox won the baseball world series against the LA Dodgers (the first time both the MLB and NFL titles have been contested between the same cities).

The journey to the Superbowl has been poetically parallel for these two teams. Both teams entered the playoffs as the second overall seeds of their division, won their first game with relative ease, and overcame the number one seed in a thrilling overtime game for the division championship. Both are led by dynamic and accurate quarterbacks, and both have a strong defensive lineup to support their offence on the other side of the game. The coaches, while at opposite ends of their respective careers, have both been applauded for their strong offensive play-calling all season, and for the ways in which their defensive teams respond to opponents.

To say that this match will be close is an understatement.

In this preview, I’ll explore what each team brings to the table and provide the tips that I feel most confident in based on my research, analysis, and expert intuition.

THE LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Rams come into this game as 1.5-point underdogs, a line that doesn’t do much to reflect the absolutely stellar season this team has had. Starting the season with 8 straight wins, the Rams cemented themselves as Superbowl contenders before the season was even half way.

Throughout the season, Jared Goff and the entire Rams offence were virtually impossible to defend. Finishing with a 13-3 record, the Rams were only held under 20 points in one game for the entire season AND postseason – justifiably garnering comparisons to the 1999 Superbowl-winning Rams and their “Greatest Show on Turf.” The blue and yellow throwback uniforms that they’ll be sporting in-game will definitely contribute to that comparison. This season, Goff averaged just under 300 yards per game – a near 150 yard improvement on his 2016 season. And, under the guidance of the young and invigoratingly-fresh head coach Sean Mcvay, the Rams team as whole averaged 431 yards of offence a game while keeping their opponents well under 400.

And let’s not forget the real MVP of the Rams – Assistant Coach Ted Rath

But in all seriousness, the LA Rams are one of the best-rounded offensive and defensive teams in the league, and it’ll be a hard task for the Patriots to take them on.

THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

On the other side of the coin are the custodians of the Superbowl, 5-time winners and 9-time participants, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Tom Brady had already won 4 rings before Jared Goff was even in the league, and he’ll be looking for more blood come Sunday in Atlanta.

Despite rumours of a strained Brady-Belichick relationship, a new and uninitiated defensive line and a mediocre 11-5 record heading into the postseason, the patriots, through their frustratingly consistent postseason performances, were able to walk their way into an eighth straight AFC championship game and 9th Superbowl game in 19 Seasons. Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and the New England Patriots are the kings of playoff football.

The stats from the regular season don’t necessarily shine Brady in the best light, but what the stats don’t measure is the spark that the Patriots can produce when circumstances require. Losing Superbowl LII in a close game to the Philadelphia Eagles will only serve to motivate Brady more. Plus, anyone who watched their clutch drive to force OT against the Chiefs in the AFC championship game, will know that Brady and his team can produce genuine magic when the time comes. It’ll be hard for me to bet against Brady, especially in a game like the Superbowl.

THE HUNTER’S HOT TIP

I anticipate a high-scoring affair, with both teams battling to the very end for the title. As a result, it’ll likely come down to whichever team can perform best in the dying moments, something I can’t go past the Patriots for. Goff will put in a good display, but Brady’s prestige and big-game experience will prove too much for the Rams (as much as I would love to see the Patriots lose).

Hot Tip: PATRIOTS -1.5 POINTS @ 1.79 on Sportsbet

THE HUNTER’S VALUE PICK

Value Pick: Total Points OVER 53.5 and Patriots Winning Margin 1-13 @ 4.20 on Sportsbet

(Same Game Multi)

For more interesting and fun facts on the Super Bowl, check out our Strange, But True article now.

Gamble Responsibly. Hunter and Bligh does not take any responsibility for any losses incurred.

Feature image via Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports