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It’s time to step up Discount Alexander Mattison Jersey , call your shot, and make your pick."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Vikings 2018 SeasonVikings 2019 OffseasonU.S. Bank StadiumMinnesota Vikings PodcastsSuper Bowl LIII: WHO YA GOT!?New,34commentsIt’s time to step up, call your shot, and make your pick.CSTShareTweetShareShareSuper Bowl LIII: WHO YA GOT!?Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsMost of our stories today have been about the big game tomorrow, and there’s a reason for that.That reason is that there’s, literally, nothing going on with the Minnesota Vikings right now and the entire football world is focused on the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams as they prepare for the final game of the 2018-19 NFL season tomorrow afternoon. So, we’ll stick with that for the next day or two, and in keeping with that it’s time for everyone to finally make their picks.After opening as a one-point favorite. . .for entertainment purposes only, of course. . .the line has swelled a bit to make the Patriots a three-point favorite. Being a neutral site game, there’s no real “home field advantage” to speak of, but I think we all fully expect the crowd in Atlanta on Sunday to be fairly pro-Rams.When the Patriots have the ballThe key for every team that faces the Patriots is how much pressure they can get on Tom Brady. If Brady is allowed to sit back and get comfortable, he will rip any defense apart. To their credit, the Patriots’ offensive line has been outstanding in their two postseason contests. In the Patriots’ victories over the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Brady has dropped back to pass 90 times and has been sacked exactly zero times. Those two teams combined for 90 sacks during the regular season, including a league-high 52 for the Chiefs.As good as the Chiefs and the Chargers are up front, however Replica Olisaemeka Udoh Jersey , neither of them have what the Rams have. That, of course, is the single-most destructive defensive force in the game, soon-to-be Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. The Patriots’ offensive line has been doing a great job thus far in the playoffs, but they should still probably have two guys on Donald as soon as he gets off the bus. Of course, they still have to account for Ndamukong Suh and Dante Fowler, who has had a significant resurgence since the Rams dealt for him at the trade deadline.If Brady gets time, however, he’s going to have a chance at some big plays. Aqib Talib is an outstanding defensive back, but the rest of the Rams’ secondary is just sort of. . .meh. I certainly think that the Rams are going to have difficulty dealing with the Patriots’ running backs out of the backfield, as well as with the biggest X-factor of all, tight end Rob Gronkowski. In fact, I’ll put this part of my predictions in here now. . .Rob Gronkowski will be your Super Bowl LIII Most Valuable Player.(Probably gives away my prediction a bit. Oh, well.)But, again, it all centers around whether or not the Rams can put Tom Brady on his backside. If they can, they’ll have a great chance of winning this one. If they can’t. . .well, it’s going to be a long evening for Los Angeles.When the Rams have the ballHere’s my advice for the Rams. If you win the coin toss Stitched Olisaemeka Udoh Jersey , don’t defer. Take the ball. And if you take the ball, you have to go down and score immediately. I like the Rams’ chances much better if they’re playing with a lead than I do if they’re trying to play catch-up all game.The Rams are going to need to be balanced on offense to give themselves the best chance in this one. While C.J. Anderson has been outstanding in the limited period of time he’s been with the Rams, the real question is what Todd Gurley’s status is going to be. Gurley saw a very limited number of snaps in the NFC Championship Game, and whether it was because of injury issues or the fact that he had a key drop early in that one, it’s curious that Sean McVay went with Anderson for most of the game. Gurley has had two weeks to heal up, if injuries were the issue, and he’s superior to Anderson in pretty much every way. If the Patriots can slow down the Rams’ running game and make Jared Goff beat them, their chances of winning will be greatly enhanced. The Rams might have the best offensive line in the NFL, so I think they can neutralize Trey Flowers and the rest of the Patriots’ front seven. However, the Patriots secondary is very good, owing to the presence of the McCourty twins and Stephon Gilmore, who doesn’t get as much credit as he should. Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods will make their share of plays, but I have a feeling that Goff is going to really miss Cooper Kupp’s presence in this one.Final PredictionThe coaching matchup in this one is going to be one to watch. On one side, there’s Bill Belichick, who is probably the greatest head coach in the history of the NFL. This is his ninth Super Bowl as a head coach, and there’s nothing he hasn’t seen at this point. On the other side, you’ve got Das Wunderkind, Sean McVay Olisaemeka Udoh Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , the guy that all the teams that are looking for head coaches are trying to emulate. Can the young guy wrestle the throne away from the old master?Maybe someday. . .but not this Sunday. It’s just damn near impossible for me to pick against the Patriots in this one. I think it’s going to be an outstanding, close game, because for all the Patriots’ greatness, they don’t blow anybody out in these situations. Their five Super Bowl victories in the Brady/Belichick era have come by a combined total of 19 points. But, as old as the cliche is, I’ve got to go with the team that’s been there and done it before.New England Patriots 34, Los Angeles Rams 31So, let’s hear it from you, folks. WHO YA GOT!?Friday Open Thread: August 31st, 2018 Good Morning!Hope you’re having a great week and looking forward to the onset of the regular season. I was able to watch last night’s final preseason game via Sunday Ticket on my laptop, (thank you Sunday Ticket, I take back all the things I said about you earlier and didn’t mean them).The Vikings won 13-3 over the Titans, yes it’s preseason but still fun to watch.Good luck to all the guys on the roster bubble and if they are cut by the Vikings I hope they are able to pursue their football dream with another team.In the meantime, while we’re waiting impatiently for the regular season we’ll continue with our daily thread full of beer recommendations, nap strategies, crock pot and smoker recipes. Have another cup of coffee and drop by for some fan wisdom and snark. With that, let’s do this.Around the DN since our last thread:Chris has the final preseason game wrap up as the Vikings defeated the Titans 13-3.SB Nation has added a new blog “Against All Enemies” which will follow all the Service Academies sports.Welcome Aboard!Mzahorsky105 gives us the lineup where the Vikings are landing in fantasy drafts.Jonah takes a look back at the day that changed Vikings history forever.Dan reports the AP Pro 32 power ranking places the Vikings third overall.Vikings news from other sources:From Vikings.com HC Mike Zimmer addressed the media after the conclusion of the Vikings-Titans game.Vikings close the 2018 preseason with win over the Titans. WR Brandon Zylstra addressed the media following the Titans game.Pete Bercich guarantees a touchdown ... and Zylstra delivers.League News:From NFL.com Takeaways from Thursday night’s final preseason games.Baker Mayfield finishes the preseason strong with a win, (QBwinz)The Cowboys traded CB Charvarius Ward to the Chiefs for G Parker Ehinger.At NFL.com they have a roster cuts tracker as all 32 NFL team finalize their 53 man roster.Finally Minnesota Vikings Jerseys Stitched , Deadspin continues their “Why Your Team Sucks, 2018”-today the Saints.We come to today’s media selection: Lenny Kravitz-Fly AwayAgain, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:-No discussion of politics or religion-No feeding of the trolls-This isn’t a male version of The View, so leave the gender hatred at the door-Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)-Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags-No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer-If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away-While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasmWith that, the beer light is on and the bar is open. Belly up and tie one on. Don’t forget to tip your waitress, try the venison chili and as always, Welcome Aboard and Skol Vikings!