Super Bowl LIII: Key offensive positions

The hype is continuing to build as we continue to march towards Super Bowl LIII at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

One of the biggest storylines heading into the match between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots is the fact both teams have two of the top offenses in the NFL and two offenses that put together impressive campaigns this season. Through the success of their offenses, the Rams and Patriots now sit ready for a face-to-face meeting in Super Bowl LIII.

As you compare the Rams and Patriots offenses, the two teams stack up pretty well with playmakers all over the offensive side of the ball. Here is a quick look at the two positions that might be the biggest keys to either the Rams or Patriots winning Super Bowl LIII.

Quarterback

Tom Brady, New England Patriots vs. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams

All eyes will be on the quarterback position on February 3 as the future Hall of Famer Tom Brady will look to notch another Super Bowl trophy against the next wave of elite quarterbacks Jared Goff. During the regular season, these two quarterbacks put up pretty comparable numbers.

Goff completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 4,688 yards with 32 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Brady completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 4,355 yards with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. While the numbers and production are similar, Brady has the upper advantage leading into Super Bowl LII based on his previous success and history of playing in the NFL’s big game. 

Advantage – Patriots

Running Backs

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

The key to the success for both the Rams and Patriots in Super Bowl LIII will come from their talented running back tandems. While the Patriots will lean on the likes of Michel, White and Burkhead, the Rams might have the best playmaker in all of the NFL in Gurley.

We saw the success both teams had from their running game as they advanced through the AFC and NFC Playoffs. In the Patriots’ two wins, the running back tandem posted 318 rushing yards, 185 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Meanwhile, the Rams duo rushed for 292 yards with four touchdowns. That said, the concerns with the possibility of Gurley dealing with a knee injury causes the slight advantage at the running back position to go to the Patriots.

Advantage – Patriots