Few would argue that the 2018 regular season one of New England's best.
But after a dominant win over the Chargers and a back-and-forth overtime thriller to win on the road in Kansas City, the Patriots are not only playing their best football of the year but maybe as well as they have in any postseason under Bill Belichick.
Boston Globe columnist Chris Gasper writes that “in an imperfect season, Patriots timing has been impeccable.” The Globe looks at center David Andrews looking forward to going home to Georgia for the Super Bowl. Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy declares that “Beat L-A” doesn’t work for Patriots vs. Rams because it’s only a Celtics-Lakers thing. The Globe notes that Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores met with the Dolphins on Wednesday, a team he will reportedly become the head coach of when New England's season comes to a close. The Globe looks at what to expect from the Rams offense and how the Patriots should defend it. The Globe passes along Patriots owner Robert Kraft talking about NFL officiating, laser pointers and Tom Brady’s character. The Globe also has some of what Julian Edelman had to say when he was mic’ed up against the Chiefs.
The Boston Herald writes that picking your poison against the Patriots offense can be tricky. The Herald looks at New England linebacker Kyle Van Noy enjoying the finest season of his career. The Herald notes the security that will be inside the stadium and out for Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta. The Herald notes a hellacious hit that Jets safety Jamaal Adams put on Pat Patriot, New England's mascot, at Pro Bowl activities on Wednesday. The Herald notes Kraft singing Brady’s praise on Good Morning America. The Herald says that wide receiver Chris Hogan has made his presence felt in the playoffs. The Herald Patriots notebook looks at New England's versatile backfield. The Herald observes that New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ biggest test of the season lies ahead in Atlanta.
The Providence Journal says the Patriots tale grows more outlandish. The ProJo writes that Patriots doubters provide the team with plenty of fuel. The ProJo says that the Patriots don’t want to take this latest Super Bowl run for granted.
ESPNBoston.com writes about Patriots legend Dante Scarnecchia, the “greatest” offensive line coach in history. ESPNBoston.com also breaks down how a balanced Rams attack presents a major challenge for the New England defense.
FiveThirtyEight.com writes that New England’s running backs, not Brady, are the ones stealing the show this postseason.
WEEI.com passes along Trent Dilfer telling a story about Patriots safeties coach Steve Belichick getting in his face after Super Bowl LI to remind him of his past comments about New England. WEEI.com looks at the starting running backs in Super Bowl LIII, a pair of former Georgia teammates. Though the journey for 2018 has been different, WEEI.com writes that the script is the same. WEEI.com passes along Trent Brown saying he quickly realized upon arrival in New England that all the “bullcrap” people said about the Patriots wasn’t true. WEEI.com has Andrews comparing playing in the Super Bowl to a wedding. WEEI.com notes Van Noy’s response to a question about whether he likes to prove people wrong.
NBC Sports Boston passes on a report from WCVB in Boston that Flores’ deal to become Miami’s head coach is already complete. NBC Sports Boston has Brown saying, “it’s fun here.” NBC Sports Boston relays why Van Noy once called Brady an "idiot." NBC Sports Boston also passes along another loose report from NFL Network that former Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano is “likely” to join New England’s defensive coaching staff.
NFL.com offers up one unsung hero from every NFL team, and no one familiar with the Patriots should be surprised by the choice for New England. NFL.com ranks the 61 quarterbacks who have played – or for Jared Goff, will play – in the Super Bowl.
The Ringer has 10 observations from the last Rams-Patriots Super Bowl, nearly two decades ago.
CBSSports.com has a Madden simulation predicting the Patriots to “sneak past the Rams in wild fashion” to win Super Bowl LIII.
