In Super Bowl LIII, Expect the Unexpected from Bill Belichick

The longest-tenured coach in the NFL will throw some new wrinkles Sean McVay's way.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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You may not be able to teach an old dog like Bill Belichick new tricks, but that doesn’t mean he can’t pull some of his own.

In Super Bowl LIII against the Rams, Belichick is almost certainly going to throw a defensive scheme at Los Angeles and coach Sean McVay that they haven’t seen before, the same way he did in previous Super Bowls against the Bills (as a defensive coordinator) and the St. Louis Rams.

By trying to confuse McVay and LA quarterback Jared Goff with myriad coverages and looks, Belichick will try to get them to overthink what they are doing and make adjustments to things that aren’t even happening.

He also may seemingly play to the Rams’ strength, only to pull the rug out on them at an opportune moment for New England.

Of course, in a cat-and-mouse game like this is shaping up to be, it’s always possible 32-year-old McVay gets the best of the old dog.

“The main point, win or lose, is that the Rams can expect him to try something,” according to Bleacher Report. “This has a multipronged effect on opponents. In preparing for Belichick, you must account for not just what you’re doing but also for what you think he’s going to do. I know that you know that I know… Against Belichick, there’s always a switch or trick you never saw coming. It’s what chess masters do. And no one is better at it than Belichick.”

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