Super Bowl LIII will kick off on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. from Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta and we asked the TCU360 Sports Staff to give their prediction for the big game.
With Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh in the middle, the Rams will be able to pressure Tom Brady in ways he has not experienced this postseason. The Rams defense is not going to be walked over by Brady and the Patriots like the Chiefs or the Chargers this postseason. The Patriots, who have allowed 4.9 yards per carry this season, will have to limit LA’s third-best rushing attack in the league, and I don’t see that happening because their defense has proven to be vulnerable throughout the year. Brady will put up big numbers to keep this game close as he has done the past two Super Bowls, but if the Rams can turn this game into a shootout, they should come out on top. Prediction: Rams 35, Patriots 30.
Benton McDonald
Every team relishes at the chance to be an underdog. The New England Patriots have not had that chance much over the last two decades and are jumping at the opportunity to be one on Sunday. Even though they are the favorites in Las Vegas, Belicheck and Brady are going to ride the “Nobody believes in us” narrative all the way to their sixth parade. Pats 31, Rams 17.
Few players in the NFL are as renowned for their antics as Rams cornerback Aqib Talib. His first chain snatch from Michael Crabtree was legendary and then, for good measure, he decided to do it again. The second time Crabtree even taped it to himself, but Talib found a way. Yet two things stand in Talib’s way this time around: first, he spent a season with the Patriots and has been quite complimentary of them in the buildup to the game. Second, New England doesn’t seem like the type of team to have many chain-wearers anyway. That said, don’t doubt Talib’s ability to find a chain to snatch, whether it’s on the field or in the stands. If you’re attending the game, tuck that chain in and remember that no one is safe.
My prediction for the Super Bowl goes a little something like this…I predict I won’t be watching the game and here’s why. Have you ever heard the quote “cheaters never win?” This is a quote I grew up valuing and holding near and dear to my heart. Being a competitive athlete, this was a constant reminder to work hard and gain success the right way. Tom Brady must not practice his football skills with this quote in mind. Brady practically resides in the Super Bowl and it astonishes me that his ball deflating skills have brought him this far. I predict that I will not be watching the game, but I also predict that the Super Bowl will prove my childhood morals wrong again…because cheaters always win in the Super Bowl.
Kennedy Stadler
I used to not mind the Rams, but as a Saints fan, they now join my list of teams I’d rather see fall off the face of the Earth than win a Super Bowl. As much as I don’t want to see Tom Brady with a sixth ring, I hope the Rams lose in a heart-wrenching fashion, perhaps on a missed call. Patriots win 28-24.
I believe that Super Bowl LIII will have more than 105 million television viewers. We have seen a decrease in viewership every year since 2015 and even saw a seven percent decrease in viewership from 2017 to 2018. The last time the Rams made a Super Bowl was 2002 when they were located in St. Louis. The only time that the Los Angeles Rams made the Super Bowl was in 1980 where they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-19. The fans like seeing freshness in the Super Bowl and all of America who isn’t a fan of the Patriots will be rooting for the blue and gold on Super Bowl Sunday. Another reason that the television viewership will rise again is that of the halftime performance. A lot of viewers will be drawn in with Maroon 5 being the headliner during the halftime show. The viewership may not increase much from the 103.4 million viewers in 2018 but with the Rams not being a usual in the Super Bowl and Maroon 5 being the halftime headliner, we will see at least a slight increase in television viewership during Super Bowl LIII.
The Rams are good. Very good. They are here because of the blown call we have all seen 1,000 times, but we can’t ignore their 13-3 record, Aaron Donald and Todd Gurley. Unfortunately for L.A., they have to play Brady and Belichick. I’ve picked against the Patriots too many times to make the same mistake again. This will be close from start to finish, but Tom gets his sixth ring. 34-28, Pats.
Jack Wallace
After one of the longest-tenured runs in the history of modern football, the so-called “goat” of the National Football League, Tom Brady, will finally fall (again) in the big game. The Los Angeles Rams, spearheaded by Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, have had tremendous help from star wide receiver Brandin Cooks, defensive lineman Aaron Donald, and the youngest head coach to coach a Super Bowl, Sean McVay. The real question is, who will the refs favor? The scandal-ridden New England Patriots, or the team who supposedly “robbed” the New Orleans Saints in the conference title game? I vote L.A. Rams win it in a tight one, 35-31.
Reese Price
Part of me says that the New England Patriots will come out on top for the sixth time and win the Super Bowl this year and another part of me has a feeling that the Los Angeles Rams will surprise Tom Brady and give him and his team more than they can handle. I don’t really keep up much with either of these teams, therefore I don’t have a strong opinion at all. However, the Super Bowl is always such a fun time of the year because each football lover has an opinion that they want to voice. Hearing everyone’s different predictions about this game is always so interesting and I know that this game will definitely be a good one to watch.
As much as I hate to say this, I think the New England Patriots are going to win the Super Bowl. As a New York Jets fan, I am hoping that the Los Angeles Rams will come out with a win when the game is over, but the truth is, the Rams do not have the experience the Patriots have when it comes to Super Bowls. The Rams have the talent to win the Super Bowl, but with Todd Gurley not at 100 percent, it is going to be hard to pull out a win. I think the Patriots will win by a late touchdown and Tom Brady will be a Super Bowl champion once again.
Mario Aquino
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say there won’t be much offense in the game until the second half. Although the Patriots’ offensive line has been stellar throughout the playoffs, Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh will get to Brady sooner rather than later. The Rams will likely go up by two scores at the half. Maroon 5 will be mediocre at best in the halftime show, but Travis Scott will be amazing and no one above the age of 35 will have the slightest clue of what’s going on. There will undoubtedly be some sort of a comeback that will likely be assisted by the officials in some way, shape or form. Belichick and Brady will get ring No. 6, the entire city of New Orleans will erupt in a frenzy and Mardi Gras will start a month early to drown away the sorrows of what could’ve been. Final score: Patriots 35, Rams 28.
Conner McBride
Predictions are always difficult with the New England Patriots. They never seem to have the talent necessary to win a game, but they have the greatest coach and quarterback we’ve seen in the Super Bowl era. That being said, the talent gap is probably at the highest it’s ever been on both sides of the ball in a Super Bowl. The Los Angeles Rams went all in this year with their young quarterback still on his rookie deal and so far it’s paid off. With names like Todd Gurley and Brandon Cooks on offense and Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters and Aaron Donald on defense, it’s hard to see the game even being close. With that being said, Tom Brady will make enough plays to keep the Patriots in the game, but ultimately the Rams star power will just be too much to handle for the Patriots. Rams 31, Patriots 27.
