Super Bowl LIII: Potential X-factors

All eyes are set on February 3, 2019, as the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots face off in Super Bowl LIII.

On one side, you have the veteran-led team, the Patriots, who continue to dominate the AFC year in and year out under head coach Bill Belichick On the other, you have the very talented Rams team, led by the youngest head coach in a Super Bowl, Sean McVay. While both coaches will have a direct impact on the outcome of the game, neither will be on the field to make a big play or be an X-factor in the outcome.

When you look at these two teams, they both have players that many would expect to make a big play – from quarterback Tom Brady and Julian Edelman on the Patriots to Aaron Donald, Jared Goff and Todd Gurley on the Rams. That said, the winner of Super Bowl LIII will have a few other players who stepped up and played a key role in their team. Here are three players for both the Patriots and Rams who could have the X-factor in Super Bowl LIII outside of the top stars on each team.

Super Bowl LIII X-Factors 

New England Patriots 

Cordarrelle Patterson: Patterson might not be the first priority in the Patriots offense that features Sony Michel, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, but he has the speed and playmaking ability to take one to the end zone on any play. While Patterson only has two catches for 18 yards this postseason, he does offer a threat as a running option as well as a returner. On four returns this postseason, Patterson has averaged over 25 yards per return, including a 38-yard return.

John Simon: Simon is a solid defensive end that sometimes goes unnoticed on the Patriots’ defensive line. In the playoffs, Simon has recorded a half sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss. If Simon can get a chance on the field, he could deliver a solid option to get after the quarterback while putting additional pressure on the offensive line. 

Ryan Allen: One of the biggest keys in any football game is the play of their special teams, including both the kicker and punter. On Sunday, Allen could play a key role in field position against a Rams team that can move the ball fast and put points on the board. During the playoffs, Allen has had six punts total, positioning three inside the 20-yard line while averaging 48 yards per punt.

Los Angeles Rams

Dante Fowler Jr: Once a high first-round draft pick, Fowler Jr. is now just a member of the Rams defense; a defense that is filled with talented options including Aaron Donald, Mark Barron and Aqib Talib. That said, Fowler has come on strong for the Rams of late including in the playoffs, registering 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for a loss. As teams focus on both Donald and Ndamukong Suh, an opening for Fowler to make a play could be there. 

Greg Zuerlein: As with Allen for the Patriots, the Rams kicker could play a key role in the team’s performance in the Super Bowl with his ability to put the ball through the upright. So far through the team’s two playoff games, Zuerlein has connected on seven of his eight field goal attempts, with his only miss coming from over 50 yards. During the regular season, Zuerlein connected on four of his six attempts over 50 yards.

Tyler Higbee/Gerald Everett: The tight end duo could be the biggest X-factor for the Rams on Sunday Night as the Patriots build their game plan to shut down the likes of Robert Woods, Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks. With all of those options on the field, Higbee and Everett should see mismatches against the Patriots linebacker corps.