The Los Angeles Rams should never be ruled out to possibly run a trick play in Super Bowl 53 like the Philly Special.
Now that the weekend is finally here, the Los Angeles Rams must be feeling the excitement sinking in over the fact that Super Bowl 53 will be here before they know it on Sunday, as Sean McVay‘s team hopes to take down the New England Patriots.
Controversy aside from the NFC Championship, the Rams know deep down they deserve to be here after all of the obstacles this team has overcome just to be in this position, especially when it comes to Todd Gurley over the last month or so.
Towards the end of the regular season, Los Angeles was in a tough position during the final two weeks since their star running back was dealing with a minor knee injury, and the last thing the Rams wanted to happen was see Gurley make the situation worse by forcing himself to play.
Luckily, the Rams managed to get by without Gurley during those final two weeks after C.J. Anderson stepped up in one of the best ways possible. And while there didn’t seem to be that much concern surrounding Gurley following a strong outing in the Divisional Round win over the Dallas Cowboys, things were different in the NFC Championship.
It’s still amazing to take into consideration that Los Angeles was able to escape with a win over New Orleans despite Gurley being held to just four carries for 10 yards and a touchdown, but this shouldn’t be the case at all during Sunday’s Super Bowl against New England.
Knowing McVay, the Rams coach will most likely take the approach of getting his beloved running back heavily involved early on to help take away some of the unnecessary pressure Gurley may be dealing with.
On another note related to Gurley, the Pro Bowl running back was asked an interesting question this week in regards to the amazing Philly Special play the Philadelphia Eagles pulled off last year during the Super Bowl to help defeat the Patriots.
Without question, this call by Doug Pederson is one of the greatest plays in NFL history, and when asked about whether the Rams could do the same, Gurley seemed to have a little fun by poking fun at Jared Goff‘s pass-catching abilities.
Todd Gurley when asked today about the prospect of the Rams reprising the Eagles' "Philly Special" trick play in last year's Super Bowl against the Patriots: “Goff can’t catch.”
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) January 31, 2019
Can Goff actually catch? Gurley of all people knows his quarterback the best, and while these comments make it seem like Los Angeles would avoid a play like the Philly Special, nothing should be ruled out when it comes to McVay.
Offensive mastermind is one of the best ways to describe McVay as a head coach after looking at how quickly he’s helped turn the Rams around in such a short period of time since this team was a mess two years ago when he took over.
Gurley claiming Goff can’t catch makes it sound like Los Angeles would never consider the possibility of attempting to pull off a play like this, but also wouldn’t this be the best way to throw New England off?
Assuming Goff would be able to figure out a way to get as open as Nick Foles last year when the Super Bowl MVP pulled this miraculous play off, one would think that Goff should be able to haul a pass in, even if the quarterback would be feeling additional pressure since it’s the Super Bowl.
Even if the Rams decide to pass on a play like the Philly Special, chances are McVay will still have a few other tricks to use since the Patriots are playing in their third Super Bowl in a row for a reason.
Then again, how awesome would it be to see New England of all teams fall for the Philly Special for a second year in a row, even if the team this time around happened to be the Rams instead of the Eagles?