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5 reasons New England Patriots will win Super Bowl 53

By Russell S. Baxter

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts in the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts in the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 20: New England Patriots wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) returns a kickoff 38-yards right before the 2-minute warning in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game game between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs on January 20, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 20: New England Patriots wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) returns a kickoff 38-yards right before the 2-minute warning in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game game between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs on January 20, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. A big play from KR Cordarelle Patterson

Head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have found a number of ways to get talented wide receiver/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson the football in 2018. Be it on special teams, the passing game and even out of the backfield, the 2013 first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings – who spent a year with the Oakland Raiders in ‘17 – has been a versatile asset to the team this season.

During the regular season, the six-year performer scored touchdowns three different ways. He ran 42 times for 228 yards and one score. Patterson finished with 21 catches for 247 yards and three touchdowns. And the big-play asset finished third in the NFL in kickoff return average (28.8), totaling 23 efforts for 663 yards – including a 95-yard TD in New England’s 38-31 win at Chicago in Week 7.

It’s that latter aspect of the game that could prove to be key. Of course, if it is up to Belichick, the Rams won’t be kicking off to the Patriots very often. But Los Angeles was the league’ second-highest scoring team this season so it’s realistic to assume the Patterson will get his opportunities. Sean McVay’s squad did finish a very-respectable 12th in the NFL in terms of kickoff return average allowed and Greg Zuerlein finished tied for eighth in the league in touchbacks (57). The Rams defended only one kickoff in two playoff games.

All told, if Patterson can break loose just once on special teams, it could prove to be a big difference when it comes to the outcome of this game.

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