SUPER BOWL LIII

SUPER BOWL LIII WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. ET WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta TV: CBS, CTV (Canada) SPREAD: Patriots -3 TOTAL: 56.5

Today is the day.

The New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams will play for the Lombardi Trophy. A clash of old and new, legends and rising stars.

Here's everything you need to know about football's biggest day.

TALE OF THE TAPE

PATRIOTS		RAMS
11-5	Record	13-3
436	Points For	527
325	Points Against	384
111	Net Points	143
27.3	Points Per Game	32.9
393.4	Yards Per Game	421.1
266.1	Pass Yards Per Game	281.7
127.3	Rush Yards Per Game	139.4
20.3	Points Allowed Per Game	24.0
359.1	Yards Allowed Per Game	358.6
246.4	Pass Yards Allowed Per Game	236.3
112.7	Rush Yards Allowed Per Game	122.3
+10	Turnover Differential	+11
3-5	Road Record	6-2
3-1	Non-conference Record	4-0

HOW THE AFC CHAMPION PATRIOTS WERE BUILT

Just how does one build a Super Bowl contender? Look no further than the team with machine-like efficiency: the New England Patriots.

The NFL's preeminent power will be making its third straight Super Bowl appearance when it heads to Atlanta to face the Los Angeles Rams. It's New England's fourth trip to the big game in the last five seasons.

The 2018 Patriots were thought to be the most vulnerable version in years, with an aging quarterback and a lack of game-changing talent. Yet here they are, playing for another Lombardi Trophy. Here's how the latest version of the Pats was built:

KEY PLAYERS

YEAR	DRAFT	FREE AGENT	TRADE
2000	Tom Brady
2006	Stephen Gostkowski
2008	Matthew Slater
2009	Julian Edelman
	Patrick Chung
2010	Devin McCourty
	Rob Gronkowski
2011	Marcus Cannon
2012	Dont'a Hightower
2014	James White
2015	Shaq Mason	David Andrews
	Trey Flowers
	Malcom Brown
2016	Joe Thuney	Chris Hogan	Kyle Van Noy
	Elandon Roberts
2017	Deatrich Wise	Stephon Gilmore	Phillip Dorsett
		Rex Burkhead
		Lawrence Guy
2018	Sony Michel	Adrian Clayborn	Jason McCourty
			Cordarrelle Patterson
			Trent Brown

It all began with a napkin.

In 2000, after less than a day on the job, Bill Belichick stepped down as head coach of the New York Jets, handing the team president a handwritten resignation note penned on a serviette as the introductory press conference was set to begin.

The Patriots would trade three draft picks to the Jets in exchange for two picks and the right to sign Belichick. The rest, as they say, is history.

As head coach and de facto general manager, the five-time Super Bowl champion has left an unmistakable imprint on the team's present-day roster. Thirty-one players on the 53-man roster are homegrown, culled either through the draft or as college free agents.

The blueprint begins with the mastermind in the hoodie.

COACHING STAFF

Full credit is also due to Josh McDaniels. He's spent 10 of the past 13 years as New England's offensive coordinator and has led the unit to eight top-10 finishes in total offense. Under McDaniels' watch, the team has yet to finish worse than eighth in scoring offense.

There has been far more turnover at defensive coordinator, as many have left to accept head coaching jobs elsewhere. But whether under the direction of Romeo Crennel, Dean Pees, Matt Patricia, or Brian Flores, the defense has remained under the watchful eye of Belichick. That approach figures to continue with Flores' impending departure.

THE GOAT

When it comes to the roster, it all begins with Tom Brady.

The Patriots famously used a sixth-round pick in 2000 on the unassuming quarterback out of Michigan. He spent his rookie year supporting starter Drew Bledsoe before taking over for an injured Bledsoe in Week 2 of the following season. Named the Week 3 starter, Brady wound up leading New England all the way to a Super Bowl victory over the Rams - then of St. Louis - in February 2002.

In the time since, he's cemented his spot as the arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, winning four more Super Bowls and three MVPs along the way.

Even now, in the later stages of his career, Brady remains at the top of his game; he led the Pats back from a late 25-point deficit to win Super Bowl LI and - at the age of 41 - outdueled young phenom Patrick Mahomes to take New England to its ninth title game in the last 18 years.

BUILDING THROUGH THE DRAFT

The pieces of this year's AFC championship team began surfacing in 2006 when the Patriots scooped up venerable placekicker Stephen Gostkowski with a fourth-round pick.

Special-teams ace Matthew Slater came via the 2008 draft, while New England's 2009 selections netted Julian Edelman - now second all-time in postseason receptions - and longtime safety Patrick Chung.

The Patriots also nailed their first two picks in 2010, selecting Devin McCourty - a starter in the secondary ever since - and revolutionary tight end Rob Gronkowski.

All six players have been aboard for the Patriots' running streak of eight consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances.

Linebacker Dont'a Hightower, star of Super Bowl LI, was also a 2012 first-round selection.

UNHERALDED O-LINE

Today's offensive line began taking shape with the 2011 fifth-round selection of Marcus Cannon. He's moved up and down the offensive line in his time with the Patriots but has held down the right tackle spot since 2016.

Right guard Shaq Mason arrived in the 2015 draft and center David Andrews joined as a college free agent during that same offseason. Left guard Joe Thuney was a third-round pick the following year.

Following the departure of Nate Solder for greener ($) pastures last March, the Pats made a sly draft-day move, trading a 2018 third-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for right tackle Trent Brown and a fifth-rounder.

New England immediately installed Brown in the vacant left tackle spot and the move has paid massive dividends; he's Pro Football Focus' highest-graded tackle in this year's playoffs.

Meanwhile, the impact of a strong offensive line coach cannot be overstated, and the Patriots may have one of the best.

Dante Scarnecchia coached the O-line from 1998 to his retirement after the 2013 season. It struggled so mightily in the two years following his departure that the Patriots brought Scarnecchia out of retirement for the 2016 campaign, and the unit has since rebounded to its previously superlative standards.

The Patriots' offensive line didn't allow a sack or commit a penalty in the AFC Championship Game, despite the raucous Arrowhead Stadium crowd.

FREE-AGENT SPLASH

Though much of his roster was constructed through the draft, Belichick isn't shy about targeting big fish using other means. He's traded for the likes of Wes Welker, Randy Moss, and Aqib Talib, and he's used free agency to nab such stars as Rodney Harrison and Darrelle Revis.

His latest big swing came ahead of the 2017 campaign when he splashed $65 million on free-agent corner Stephon Gilmore. It was the second richest-signing of the free-agency period and it didn't come without its detractors.

But Gilmore has repaid Belichick's faith this season, the second of his five-year deal. The 28-year-old was named a first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career and graded out as PFF's No. 1 corner in the league.

THE FINAL PIECE

After the Patriots allowed Dion Lewis to walk as a free agent last offseason, leaving a substantial hole in touches and touchdowns on their depth chart, the final position yet to be addressed was at running back.

Still, a running back wasn't thought to be a target for New England in the 2018 draft - especially not one believed to have knee issues.

Former Patriots staffer Michael Lombardi reported just before the draft that Sony Michel had a bone-on-bone medical condition that could affect the longevity of his playing career. It was believed such concerns would cause Michel to slip in the draft.

But there the Patriots were with the 31st pick, ready to pounce on the former Georgia star.

Leading New England in rushing with nearly 1,000 yards on the ground, six touchdowns, and five more scores in the postseason, Michel shined in his rookie season. He proved to be the final piece necessary for the Patriots' third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.

HOW THE NFC CHAMPION RAMS WERE BUILT

In 2017, the Los Angeles Rams stunningly set the league ablaze under the guidance of wunderkind Sean McVay, only to see their fire extinguished in January.

Fast forward to this season: The Rams have ascended to previously unimaginable heights and are set to take on the seemingly immortal New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta.

Here's how the Rams built the team that's taken them to the precipice of their second Super Bowl title in franchise history:

KEY PLAYERS

YEAR	DRAFT	FREE AGENT	TRADE/WAIVER
2010	LG Rodger Saffold
2011
2012	DE Michael Brockers	P Johnny Hekker
	K Greg Zuerlein
2013
2014	DT Aaron Donald		LB Mark Barron
	S Lamarcus Joyner
2015	RB Todd Gurley	LB Matt Longacre
	RT Rob Havenstein
2016	QB Jared Goff	LB Cory Littleton
	TE Tyler Higbee
2017	LB Samson Ebukam	LT Andrew Whitworth	RG Austin Blythe
	WR Josh Reynolds	WR Robert Woods
	S John Johnson III	C John Sullivan
		SCB Nickell Robey-Coleman
2018		DT Ndamukong Suh	CB Aqib Talib
		RB C.J. Anderson	CB Marcus Peters
		CB Sam Shields	WR Brandin Cooks
			DE Dante Fowler Jr.

FINDING THE PILLARS

Every Super Bowl winner needs a nucleus of players to build around, and L.A. is a prime example of how a team can alter its destiny through the draft.

In 2014, the Rams - then based in St. Louis - used the 13th overall pick on reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. A year later, reigning Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley was selected 10th overall. And finally, after giving up a king's ransom to jump up to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, the Rams announced Jared Goff as the team's franchise quarterback.

All three players have been crucial in L.A.'s run to Atlanta.

Donald's league-leading 20.5 sacks in 2018 were the most for a defensive tackle in NFL history, all but assuring he'll retain his DPOY title; Gurley has found the end zone an NFL-best 40 times since 2016, a mind-boggling nine more than second-placed Alvin Kamara and 14 more than third-placed Melvin Gordon; Goff has transformed into a Pro Bowler and is coming off back-to-back seasons with a 100-plus passer rating.

STUCK IN MEDIOCRITY NO LONGER

McVay wasn't the man L.A. initially envisioned leading its team when the doors to the new $5-billion stadium in Inglewood open in 2020. That, of course, was supposed to be Jeff Fisher.

Fisher has become a punchline due to his teams' propensity to finish at, or around, the .500 mark. In fact, he had three such finishes with the Rams in five years before being fired midseason in 2016 while sitting at 4-9. But while Fisher deserved to lose his job and is clearly an inferior coach to the man who succeeded him, his impact shouldn't be overlooked.

All three stars mentioned above were drafted under Fisher (and general manager Les Snead, who remains in his role). Moreover, starters Michael Brockers, Mark Barron, Matt Longacre, Rob Havenstein, Cory Littleton, Tyler Higbee, Lamarcus Joyner, Johnny Hekker, and Greg Zuerlein were all found and developed under Fisher's watch.

In an alternate timeline, maybe Fisher didn't destroy his credibility by beefing with franchise legend Eric Dickerson and the Rams were forced to watch another team steal their prize.

THE GOLDEN BOY

Although L.A. finally escaped the mediocrity that surrounded the Fisher era, many believed the team blew its chance at success by picking the youngest head coach in NFL history.

Ex-Rams coach Mike Martz provided a soundbite that will age as poorly as any in league history, saying the Rams "hired a buddy for Jared" before adding "wait a minute while I puke" in response to the then-30-year-old's offensive expert label.

Twenty-four regular-season wins, back-to-back NFC West titles, an impending Super Bowl appearance, and, of course, an avalanche of points later, the Rams look like geniuses.

When Martz finishes vomiting, he has a full plate of his own words to chow down on.

PICKING POCKETS IN FREE AGENCY

L.A. has been active but selective in free agency under McVay, searching for players who were either underutilized or deemed expendable. The team's first free-agent haul was a bigger risk than most now acknowledge, as it was headlined by a then-35-year-old left tackle and a wide receiver who had never exceeded 700 yards in any of his first four seasons.

Andrew Whitworth had been a stud blindside protector with the Cincinnati Bengals, and while his signing was viewed as a good move to help Goff, there was no guarantee he'd last for his entire three-year deal. Robert Woods was an even bigger gamble considering his five-year, $39-million contract.

But both moves hit and hit big. Whitworth was Pro Football Focus' third-ranked offensive tackle in 2018 and is the anchor of an elite offensive line. Meanwhile, Woods racked up 2,000 yards over the last two years, including his recent 86-catch, 1,219-yard campaign.

Ndamukong Suh was the only big-name acquisition in free agency this past offseason, signing a one-year deal to form a terrifying duo with Donald. However, C.J. Anderson might arguably be the most impactful addition after multiple breakout performances with Gurley either sidelined or struggling to get back to his usual dominant form.

TRADE BIG OR GO HOME

With Goff on an affordable rookie deal until at least 2020, the Rams knew they had a small window to win a Super Bowl. Bucking conventional wisdom, the front office attacked the underutilized trade market like few playoff contenders before them in order to acquire elite-level talent.

In the 2018 offseason, Pro Bowlers Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib were bought with second-, fourth-, and fifth-round picks to give defensive coordinator Wade Phillips the cover corners he covets. After top target Sammy Watkins signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency for $16 million per season, McVay found the home-run threat he'd been dying for in Brandin Cooks, who required a first-rounder and was almost immediately handed the money offered to Watkins. Meanwhile, longtime Rams Robert Quinn and Alec Ogletree were shipped off.

While that's normally two or three seasons worth of blockbuster moves for an average team, the Rams were far from done. Concerned about their lack of pass rush in July, the Rams engineered a midseason trade for former first-rounder Dante Fowler Jr. by sending the Jacksonville Jaguars a third-round draft pick in 2019 and a fifth-rounder in 2020.

If you need more to highlight just how aggressive L.A. was this past offseason, remember the two superstars they tried but failed to trade for: Khalil Mack and Odell Beckham Jr.

3 REASONS WHY THE PATRIOTS WILL WIN SUPER BOWL LIII

Life, death, taxes, and the New England Patriots advancing to the Super Bowl. OK, maybe the last one doesn't count as a certain fact of life, but the Patriots breezing through the AFC is becoming an expected January routine.

Tom Brady is looking to win his sixth Super Bowl as he squares off against the Los Angeles Rams, the same franchise that he defeated to win his first title. There are some familiar faces and some new contributors, but the Patriots' excellence remains unchanged.

Here are three reasons why the Patriots will win Super Bowl LIII.

WHITE WILL EXPLOIT RAMS' LINEBACKERS

James White was the hero of Super Bowl LI, setting a record for receptions while scoring three touchdowns, including the game-winner. It's likely that White will be used heavily again, primarily as a receiver coming out of the backfield to exploit the Rams' linebackers.

James White has averaged 2.81 yards per route run this postseason – leading all running backs by some margin.

The Rams' defensive line, led by Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh, is a terrifying force that could steal this game. White will be counted upon to get to the second level, create a mismatch against outside linebacker Samson Ebukam, and cause havoc inside against Mark Barron and Cory Littleton.

White excels on screen plays and essentially hides behind Patriots tackle Marcus Cannon, waiting for the play to develop before sprinting past a host of defenders. It's possible that the Rams use a safety to crash toward the line of scrimmage in hopes of minimizing White's ability to leave the backfield, but he's incredible at gaining yards after the catch. He's in line to cap off the best year of his career with another monstrous Super Bowl performance.

PATRIOTS WILL NEUTRALIZE DONALD'S DISRUPTION

Donald is an absolute wrecking ball that can and will take over games, a rarity from a defensive lineman. New England's offensive line may be the unit best equipped to stop Donald, and it will serve as a major key to victory Sunday night.

New England allowed 21 sacks - the third-lowest total in the NFL - and finished first in adjusted sack rate, according to Football Outsiders. This is the best offensive line of Brady's career and, though the Rams probably won't stunt against him, he'll be hyper-aware of where No. 99 is at all times. Donald will likely be matched up against Joe Thuney throughout the game, and center David Andrews will need to assess where the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is prior to the snap.

The greatest strength of the Patriots' offensive line is their balance, with no weak point among the starters. New England can break the opposition with their tempo and the offensive line should be aware on plays designed to get the ball out quickly.

Bill Belichick deemed Donald unblockable. While that may be true, if the collaborative strength of the Patriots' offensive line outweighs the Rams superstar's singular impact, the Patriots have an excellent chance to hoist the trophy.

TOM WILL DEFEAT TIME, AGAIN

With under two minutes remaining in Super Bowl XXXVI, Brady orchestrated a game-winning drive for a stunning 20-17 upset of the Rams. It was the first moment that illustrated Brady's unmatched calm in the clutch, and 17 years to the day of his first victory, the Patriots' star quarterback will be counted on again to lead his team to glory.

Narrative aside, it's perhaps unwise to compare the 2018 version of Brady to the 2001 vintage, considering that he's evolved into arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. We all know Brady should never be counted out. He proved as much during Super Bowl LI by bringing the Patriots back from a 28-3 deficit to topple the Atlanta Falcons in overtime.

Brady's unmatched ability to dictate the tempo of the game should gravely concern the Rams' defense. New England's drive chart during the AFC Championship Game perhaps best illustrates this point. Brady is capable of relying on a robust running game, led by Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead, and ate up the clock on a 15-play, eight-minute touchdown drive. This strategy could be employed again if the Patriots jump out to an early lead. New England can also score at will, as it proved by engineering a six-play, 65-yard touchdown drive in less than 90 seconds.

The pace of the game may be unpredictable, but Brady will be prepared for all outcomes and there's nothing new the Rams can throw at him. No quarterback is better at executing the hurry-up offense and Julian Edelman comes alive with the stakes at their highest. It ain't over until the final whistle blows, and this concern may push the Rams over the edge.

3 REASONS WHY THE RAMS WILL WIN SUPER BOWL LIII

The Los Angeles Rams accelerated their window of contention by going on a major spending spree last summer, and it has clearly paid off. Buoyed by the additions of Brandin Cooks, Ndamukong Suh, and Marcus Peters, among several others, the Rams cruised to the NFC West title and look to knock off the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.

Here are three reasons why the Rams will lift the Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 3.

RAMS' 11 PERSONNEL WILL EXPLOIT MISMATCHES

Depending on how closely you've paid attention this season, you're either sick of hearing about 11 personnel or have little idea about what it means. It simply refers to a grouping that includes three wide receivers and, perhaps more importantly, one running back and one tight end, who form the two-digit number. The Rams use this personnel grouping 96 percent of the time, often with receivers bunched on one side of the field, and it's key for them in establishing play-action, jet sweeps, off-tackle runs, and several other staples of their dynamic offense.

Although the Rams line up in their base formation more often than any other team in the NFL, their usage of 11 personnel enables them to boast arguably the NFL's most unpredictable offense. This play against the Dallas Cowboys best illustrates how the grouping establishes a dangerous running game, spearheaded by Todd Gurley and, more recently, C.J. Anderson.

Josh Reynolds (No. 83) sprints into the backfield, setting up a potential jet sweep while Jared Goff sets up a handoff to Gurley. Reynolds' motion freezes the Cowboys' defense, allowing the offensive line to maul an unsuspecting defensive line and creating a massive hole for Gurley to sprint through for the touchdown. On any given play, Reynolds, Cooks, and Robert Woods are threats to run a jet sweep, making it impossible for the opponent to key in on a single ball carrier. The Rams will use this formation to exploit mismatches, and we could see Cooks or Woods sprint to the outside to beat a slower Patriots linebacker.

Los Angeles ran play-action on a league-high 34 percent of offensive snaps, with Goff finding Cooks, Woods, Reynolds, and Gurley open after selling the run in 11 personnel. Goff relies on the Rams wreaking chaos pre-snap to open up the passing game and it's this personnel grouping that will dictate whether the Rams get Cooks, Woods, and Gurley working to their fullest capacity against a balanced Patriots defense.

DONALD, SUH WILL GET TO BRADY AT KEY MOMENTS

Bill Belichick revealed what we already knew during his media availability last Tuesday when he called Aaron Donald "unblockable." Donald is the heavy favorite to win his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award. Though the Patriots' offensive line was arguably the best unit in the NFL, a fully engaged Donald alongside Ndamukong Suh - who is playing his best football of the year - may prove an insurmountable obstacle to victory.

Donald's swim move is simply unfair and his uncanny ability to time his burst off the snap makes him a nightmare to block. The Rams superstar won an NFL-best 46 percent of his pass rushes, defeating edge rushers Robert Quinn and Jadeveon Clowney. And the Patriots cannot afford to block him with multiple linemen because of Suh's menacing play, especially in the run game.

It will likely take a group effort to contain Donald - and to a lesser extent, Suh - but Patriots left guard Joe Thuney and center David Andrews will probably be tasked with slowing down the Rams' star pairing. Thuney graded out as the fourth-best pass-blocking guard in the NFL, while Andrews was rated as the eighth-best pass-blocking center, according to Pro Football Focus. Affording Tom Brady a clean pocket will be key for New England, but it's easier said than done with Donald destroying everyone in sight.

RAMS WILL WIN THE SPECIAL-TEAMS BATTLE

Field-position battles aren't the sexiest element of playoff football, but they might decide what should be one of the closest Super Bowls in recent memory. Both the Patriots and Rams put greater emphasis on special teams than most clubs, and Johnny Hekker, Greg Zuerlein, and JoJo Natson will be called upon when needed.

Hekker was named a second-team All-Pro in 2018. Some consider him the best punter in the NFL, and Bill Belichick's raved about the 28-year-old. The Rams posted 43.9 net yards per punt, fifth-best in the NFL, and Hekker will be tasked with trapping the Patriots inside their own 20.

Zuerlein's brilliance was already on display during the NFC title game and the man nicknamed "Legatron" could make his mark on history with a few clutch field goals. Few kickers in the NFL can hit from long range better than Zuerlein, and if the Rams are stopped early in drives, the veteran should be able to put up points regardless.

Natson and Sam Shields haven't compiled a large enough sample size as returners, but both players possess the speed and field vision required to break off a huge run to the house. Winning the often overlooked third phase of the game will be essential in order to topple the Patriots, and the Rams are one of the few teams with the personnel to do it.