Super Bowl odds and ends: Patriots, Rams notes you need to know for the big game

ATLANTA – At last, it’s almost that time.

After a long and wacky week jam-packed with media and promotional obligations, the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams are just about ready to face off in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

This week USA TODAY Sports’ NFL team has cranked out so much great content (columns, stories, videos and more) on the Super Bowl contenders, so if you’ve missed it, double back to our NFL page and get caught up before kickoff.

And if you have followed along all week and are caught up on everything, here are a few notes and nuggets left over from the notebook.

• The Patriots and their families got a tour of the stadium and took their team picture Saturday morning, and the Rams did the same Saturday afternoon. The next time they report to the stadium will be Sunday afternoon for pregame warmups.

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• By all indications, Rams running back Todd Gurley is good to go and is expected to have a prominent role in his team’s game plan. Gurley has been under the microscope because of uneven production in the final weeks of the regular season and in two playoff games. Suspicions of a lingering knee injury have loomed, but Gurley wasn’t listed on the Rams’ injury report at any point this season, and he practiced fully. He’s eager to finish the season on a dominant note, but the Rams still will try to mix in C.J. Anderson to help keep Gurley fresh.

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• I’m really curious to see how this Rams defense matches up with the Patriots offense. The Rams have a lot of big names, but they’re not flawless. The Patriots have such a diverse attack, and they can throw multiple running backs at a defense, as Sony Michel, James White and Rex Burkhead can punish foes at any given point.

The Patriots’ passing attack also will produce a fair share of challenges. Yes, obviously, Tom Brady leads the way, but another aspect that can fluster a defense is the wide array of diverse looks New England features. They often run the same plays, but it looks different because a running back, fullback or tight end could be split out wide on one play, or a receiver could motion into the backfield. They can spread you out and run out of a pass-heavy look or they can give you a jumbo look and pass out of that.

Rams defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant has stressed to his players that they cannot fall into the trap of second-guessing the rules of their defense. They have to be aware often the Patriots’ motions are just window dressing or  used to test defenders so Brady can see how a linebacker or defensive back reacts so he can know if it’s zone or man coverage.

“You have to go in with a simple, solidified game plan that gives them tools to adjust,” Pleasant said. “Instead of saying, ‘We’re going to do all this stuff,’ and then make it simple, you make it simple with tools to adjust. The one thing you realize is that Tom hasn’t changed in 10 years. Their offense might have changed a little as far as how they get guys open, but their philosophy is the same.”

• One key stressed to Rams players as they prepare for their first Super Bowl is the importance of avoiding self-inflicted wounds. The Patriots do not make many mistakes on this stage. Meanwhile, their opponents in previous Super Bowls have often been guilty of hurting themselves. Coaches have pointed out the following facts to players: Donovan McNabb and the Eagles wilted in the final two minutes of the game when they had the chance to march downfield and score. The Panthers botched the final kickoff, and the Patriots had a shorter field to work with to set up Adam Vinatieri kick. The Seahawks should have run the ball at the goal line. The Falcons should have run the ball to force New England to use timeouts. … So, again and again, the Rams have been reminded about the importance of executing and minimizing mistakes.

• Another key for the Rams is remaining poised and not allowing the magnitude of the game to derail them. However, players and coaches believe that playing in nine high-pressure games this season has helped them understand how to respond to the increased glare of this week’s spotlight. Players and coaches have said things feel just like they did in previous playoff weeks. But we’ll see if that normalcy carries over into game time.

• Meanwhile, the Patriots of course have been here before, and they have gone about this week with a calm confidence. But they’re not nonchalant. Younger players have said the veteran leaders of the squad exude a very serious demeanor in meetings and practices. They say there’s always a sharp focus, but it’s like things have kicked up another notch. Everyone is following suit. They don’t want a repeat of last year when they reached the Super Bowl and fell short. 

• The Rams and Patriots haven’t played since 2016, and much has changed about this L.A. squad since then. But a few players do have familiarity with New England. Robert Woods played against the Patriots twice a year for the first four seasons of his career as a member of the Buffalo Bills and faced former teammate Stephon Gilmore (now with the Patriots) often in practice. Fellow wide receiver Brandin Cooks spent the 2017 season with New England, and cornerback Aqib Talib spent two seasons with the Patriots. Woods said this week that he thinks the knowledge of New England’s personnel and schemes that the trio shares has helped with preparation. Interestingly enough, no former Rams players are on New England’s roster.

• Following the completion of the Super Bowl, the Miami Dolphins are expected to finalize the hiring of Patriots defensive play-caller Brain Flores as their next head coach. New England linebacker Dont'a Hightower said he has no doubt that Flores will ultimately succeed as a head coach in the NFL.

“Absolutely," Hightower said. "Because of what he brings as a coach: the fact that he demands so much, he’s learned a lot and is very knowledgeable and guys love playing for him. A lot of aggressiveness, he demands perfection out of his players. He’s definitely pushed and wanted the best for us. He’s very demanding. Yeah. His first year as (defensive play-caller) has been great.”

• Speaking of Hightower, the former Alabama player was asked about playing under Nick Saban and Bill Belichick. Hightower called them “two peas in a pod,” and said the two have near identical approaches to coaching and leadership. He did add, “only thing is Nick is probably a little more emotional” than Belichick.

• Sean McVay and Belichick have two very different personalities and styles of coaching. But they share a deep appreciation for the game. Another aspect that’s been evident this week is their deep appreciation for their assistant coaches. Any time McVay is asked about his rapid success in turning the team around, he goes out of his way to credit his staff for their role in the success. Or, when asked about a player who has shined, McVay will point out which coach has helped develop that particular player. Meanwhile, Belichick has been asked several times about the relationship with his assistants, and each time, he has offered some of his most lengthy answers of the week. On Thursday, he gave a four-minute answer on what offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia and running backs coach Ivan Fears – the two longest-tenured members of the staff – mean to him, and how crucial they have been to the success of the Patriots’ dynasty.

• Brady isn't as young as he once was, but the 41-year-old, five-time champion insists that he’s a much better quarterback at this stage of his career than he was in the early years. Brady discussed his evolution as a quarterback this week, and he noted that in the early Super Bowl runs, he was charged more with managing the offense while New England counted on the defense to keep them in games and then close out those contests. Now, he clearly carries both the offense and the team, and it’s a role that he both relishes and shows no signs of relinquishing.

• Sony Michel backed up Gurley at Georgia, and Michel credits his former teammate for teaching him how to approach and prepare for games. Michel and Gurley are proud to represent their school in the Super Bowl, but didn’t make any friendly wagers on the game. The 31st pick of the draft, Michel led New England with 931 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards a carry. But he never expected that he would be in this position: preparing to play in the Super Bowl as a member of the Patriots. New England didn't even talk to Michel at his Georgia pro day, so he didn't even think they liked him that much.

Follow Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones.