Experts share their picks for the Super Bowl LIII matchup between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams.
Mike Clay, ESPN:
Pick: Rams 33, Patriots 32
Boston vs. Los Angeles. Brady vs. Goff. Belichick vs. McVay. Michel vs. ... Anderson?! This is going to be fun. I expect a nail-biter of a shootout in the dome in Atlanta, but the Rams win it.
Matt Bowen, ESPN:
Pick: Patriots 31, Rams 27
The Pats will continue to use that old-school approach on offense: power football, play-action and the quick passing game. But don't forget about Belichick's defense in this one. It will challenge routes outside vs. the Rams' wide receivers.
Dan Graziano, ESPN:
Pick: Rams 20, Patriots 17
I think Los Angeles has the better defense, and while New England obviously has a massive experience advantage, the Rams have shown the ability to overcome a lot of things -- most recently, a 13-0 deficit against the Saints in the deafening Superdome.
Mina Kimes, ESPN:
Pick: Patriots 31, Rams 28
While Donald is an absolute terror, the Patriots' offensive line has been spectacular. And the pass-rush, which has been brilliant throughout the postseason, should apply enough pressure to contain Goff.
Field Yates, ESPN:
Pick: Patriots 30, Rams 24
Brady will show that his age (41) is just a storyline. He helps lead the Patriots to a sixth Super Bowl win and does so in MVP form.
Mike Reiss, ESPN: Patriots 30, Rams 27
Mike Golic, ESPN: Patriots 31, Rams 24
Seth Wickersham, ESPN: Patriots 28, Rams 17
Trey Wingo, ESPN: Rams 27, Patriots 17
Kevin Seifert, ESPN: Patriots 27, Rams 24
Matthew Berry, ESPN: Rams 31, Patriots 30
Todd McShay, ESPN: Rams 37, Patriots 35
John Buccigross, ESPN: Patriots 33, Rams 32
Dianna Russini, ESPN: Patriots 28, Rams 24
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:
Pick: Patriots 24, Rams 20
The Patriots don't blow out teams in the Super Bowls, and they won't here. In fact this one will come down to a late Brady drive. This time, which will be different from their first Super Bowl meeting, he will need to get a touchdown late to win it. And he will. Just like in 2002, Brady will come up clutch in the big moment to win it. It will be the game that ends any argument about the greatest dynasty in sports and the greatest coach and quarterback in NFL history.
Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports: Patriots
Will Brinson, CBS Sports: Patriots
Jared Dubin, CBS Sports: Patriots
John Breech, CBS Sports: Rams
Dave Richard, CBS Sports: Patriots
Jamey Eisenberg, CBS Sports: Patriots
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Patriots
Gil Brandt, NFL.com:
Pick: Patriots 30, Rams 27
The Pats' offensive line will match up very well against the Rams' defensive front. That gives New England the opportunity to run the ball and win by shortening the game.
Nate Burleson, NFL.com:
Pick: Rams 38, Patriots 34
My official game prediction will come Sunday morning, but until then ... In a back-and-forth affair, there will be a game-changing pressure on Tom Brady that will cause a late turnover.
Kurt Warner, NFL.com:
Pick: Patriots 27, Rams 24
It will be a hard-fought, close game, but Tom Brady is great in the moment and comes up big once again.
Rod Woodson, NFL.com:
Pick: Rams 27, Patriots 24
Tom Brady and interior pressure aren't friends, and the Rams' pass rush makes sure it stays that way.
Judy Battista, NFL.com:
Pick: Patriots 31, Rams 27
It's utterly impossible to pick against the Patriots. After seeing how their offensive line has dominated, I think it can even handle the Rams. And a clean Brady is a deadly one.
Maurice Jones-Drew, NFL.com:
Pick: Rams 27, Patriots 24
Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson run wild against the Patriots and combine for 175 rushing yards.
Peter Schrager, NFL.com:
Pick: Rams 37, Patriots 33
It's clear in this game that youth beats wisdom.
Reggie Bush, NFL.com:
Pick: Patriots 28, Rams 14
Tom Brady and the Patriots are consistently great in crucial situations, and their experience proves valuable against a young Rams squad.
Paul Perillo, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 34, Rams 24
Brady and the Patriots offense roll to sixth title.
Andy Hart, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 31, Rams 20
New England finally gets a Super Bowl that it controls for the majority of the game. The Rams can't keep up as the Patriots continue to make complementary plays in all three phases to earn a sixth ring.
Erik Scalavino, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 31, Rams 20
At midseason, Los Angeles appeared to be the best team in football. But Super Bowls aren't won at midseason. New England got off to a slow 2018 start, but finally put it all together when the games matter most. Everything seems to be favoring the Patriots these past few weeks, and their overall experience in Super Bowls gives them a decided edge over a Rams club that must feel like it's drinking out of a firehouse this week in Atlanta. The Patriots finally win their sixth NFL title in relatively comfortable fashion.
Don Banks, Patriots.com NFL Columnist:
Pick: Patriots 27, Rams 23
These Patriots know the terrain and tenor of a Super Bowl better than anyone ever, and when the turning point arrives against the talented but less-experienced Rams, they'll make the play that saves the day and delivers a record-tying sixth ring. At that point, the parallel tracks these two teams have been on for weeks now will finally diverge.
