Super Bowl key matchups: Can Tom Brady, Patriots be stopped by Rams’ defense?

Ahead of Super Bowl LIII, we take a look at five key matchups between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams: 

Patriots QB Tom Brady vs. Rams DTs Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh

The crib notes version of the book on Brady has long been that beating him requires consistent pressure, particularly on the interior, without blitzing. But enacting that game plan has been exceedingly difficult for opponents. Brady was pressured on 25.8 percent of his dropbacks during the regular season and just 15.6 percent in the playoffs, according to Pro Football Focus.

Brady's rapid release (2.18 seconds during the playoffs) has played a significant part in neutralizing the formidable edge rush of the Chargers and Chiefs. But New England hasn't faced a duo like Donald, who led the NFL with 20 1/2 sacks and 41 knockdowns, and Suh, whose performance has been a critical part of the postseason improvement of Los Angeles' defense. And while offensive guards Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney and center David Andrews have all been stellar, Donald routinely shot through the gap when facing double teams. 

Count on Bill Belichick, who called Donald "unblockable," and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels not only to throw multiple blockers at the Rams on a routine basis but also account for him at the line of scrimmage by sliding their protection. Suh and other defenders likely will need to provide assistance on stunts and twists to take advantage elsewhere.

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Rams QB Jared Goff vs. Patriots' secondary

How much can Sean McVay trust his 24-year-old quarterback against a Belichick defense? For the Rams coach, there might not be much choice. A layered offensive approach has usually been necessary to dispense of the Patriots, and the rushing and passing game are intertwined in McVay's attack. Goff might not be called on to have the kind of Super Bowl MVP performance that Nick Foles had a year ago against New England, but he'll likely have to make some of the kinds of throws he converted against the Saints for the NFC crown.

The biggest battleground for both sides might be on play-action passes. The Rams' offense is built on that threat (utilizing it on an NFL-high 34.6 percent of Goff's dropbacks), and the plays have been somewhat of a sore spot for the Patriots' defense. Los Angeles' use of jet motion could also complicate matters if Belichick's group is not quick to react.

Whichever tactics New England deploys to try to eradicate, it's a good bet the secondary will throw a number of different looks at Goff to keep him off-balance. The unit looks well-prepared to hold its coverage. It had the lowest completion percentage (52.8) on throws after 2.5 seconds of any team, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. The Patriots' heavy use of man-to-man coverage could also prove troublesome for Rams wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods, who have fared better against zone defenses.

Patriots RBs Sony Michel and James White vs. Rams LBs Cory Littleton and Mark Barron

For all of the speculation about the Rams' ability to stop Brady, the defense's aptitude in handling New England's crew of running backs might be more pivotal for the game's outcome. The Patriots have been content to let Michel take the reins to the offense, running the rookie often even against a loaded box. Los Angeles, meanwhile, needs to bring the postseason version of its run defense, which gave up just 98 yards on 43 carries in two games, rather than the regular-season edition, which allowed a league-worst 5.1 yards per carry. Containing Michel on the second level will be crucial for Littleton and Barron, especially if the Rams aren't able to gear up against the run in the same fashion they did earlier in the playoffs.

But the bigger mismatch for the two linebackers is likely White, who tied an NFL record for catches in a playoff game with 15. Littleton and Barron looked gassed after trying to keep up with Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who posted 11 catches for 96 yards in the NFC Championship Game. New England could look to stretch the two thin by switching off between grinding them down with Michel on the ground and wearing them out in coverage with White.

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