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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: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (12) hands off to New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) in the second 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: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (12) hands off to New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) in the second 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) /

1. Remain persistent with the running game

Led by a balanced offense, only three teams in the league (Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints) scored more points than the New England Patriots in 2018. Bill Belichick’s team rolled up 47 offensive touchdowns during the regular season, finished fifth in the NFL in total yards and rushing yards and eighth in passing yards per contest. All this while this unit struggled for the most part on the road during the regular season.

But the New England offense has been relentless in two postseason games, scoring a combined 78 points in victories over the Los Angeles Chargers (41-28) and Kansas City Chiefs (37-31). The key has been a relentless running attack keyed by excellent offensive line play and hard running by rookie Sony Michel, playoff-tested James White and veteran Rex Burkhead.

The Patriots’ offense has scored 10 touchdown in two playoff games – eight on the ground by Michel (5) and Burkhead (3). In the victory over the Bolts, there were 34 running plays for 155 yards. In the win at Kansas City, there were 48 rushing attempts for 176 yards. Against Los Angeles, Belichick’s club held the football for 43:59. In the overtime triumph at Arrowhead Stadium, the Pats had the pigskin for 38:20.

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So far this postseason, all 10 teams that have emerged victorious finished the game with more running plays and the edge of time of possession. Meanwhile, that balance has enabled Tom Brady to hit on 71.1 percent of his passes. New England’s longest pass play in this postseason is just 35 yards. Pounding the Rams’ 23rd-ranked run defense may be the order of the day.

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