In a little over a week, the New England Patriots will play in their third consecutive Super Bowl. They have represented the AFC in four of the last five Super Bowls, and have been to 9 Super Bowls in 19 years. One major reason for this continued dominance is, of course, Tom Brady. Since 2001, he and Bill Belichick have captained the dynasty. Some crew members have changed over the years, and enemies have tried, and tried again, to sink the Patriots’ pirate ship.
Brady and Belichick undoubtedly deserve much of the credit for this prolonged success. It wasn’t all them this year, however. The New England running attack has emerged as a legitimate threat this season and will continue to play a role as the Patriots’ look to finish the job against the Rams.
Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, and James White have taken some much-needed pressure off an aging Brady this year. The backfield trio combined for 176 rushing yards against the Chiefs last Sunday, pacing the offense and keeping the defense away from Number 12. With just a game separating Brady and the Patriots from their sixth Super Bowl title, how can each running back exploit the Rams’ 23rd ranked rush defense?
Sony Michel
Taken with the 31st overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, Sony Michel enjoyed a very productive season as the Patriots’ early down back. In the 13 games he suited up for, the 23 year-old started eight of them. Michel avoided what looked to be a serious knee injury in an October matchup against the Bears, as he came back and ended the regular season with a team-high 931 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.

The Georgia product is off to a scorching start in these playoffs. In two games, Michel has rushed for 242 yards and 5 touchdowns, all while averaging over 4 yards per carry. The Rams rush defense allows just over 120 yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry to opposing backs. Michel carried the ball 24 and 29 times against the Chargers and Chiefs respectively, moving the ball on the early downs and keeping it away from the opposing offense. He will have a similar role against Jared Goff and the Rams’ top-two offense.
It would be remiss of me to not mention that this Super Bowl will feature a matchup between two former teammates at Georgia. Michel and Rams’ superstar Todd Gurley played on the same college team as Bulldogs. The two first-round picks will now face off on opposite sidelines as their respective team’s leading rushers.
-
Ep 103: Tom Brady Retires, Sean Payton To Broncos, Super Bowl Primer
by Full Press Coverage on February 5, 2023 at 3:49 pm
Rex Burkhead
The Patriots inked Burkhead to a three-year deal worth $9.75 million over the offseason. Unfortunately, he only made it two weeks before landing on the Injured Reserve with a neck injury. The 28 year-old returned to action in week 13 and has served as an alternative option in the backfield.

After failing to find the end zone once during the regular season, Burkhead scored once against the Chargers and twice more against the Chiefs. Burkhead actually iced the game against the Chiefs with a two-yard burst on the opening drive of overtime. He doesn’t get the workload of Michel, nor does he get as many backfield targets as James White. He has put his stamp on these playoffs as a change of pace back who takes advantage of his opportunities, and Josh McDaniels should continue to build on this to keep the Rams’ shaky run defense guessing.
James White
Excluding players named Tom Brady, you’ll be hard pressed to find a player more important to the Patriots than this man right here. James White has spent four full seasons with the Patriots, and has made an impact on his team’s playoff run in every one of them. We all remember Super Bowl LI, where he caught 14 balls for 110 yards and a touchdown and rushed for two more, including the game-winner in overtime. In the Divisional Round against the Chargers, White tied Darren Sproles’ record for receptions in a playoff game with 15. He shows up biggest when the lights are brightest, plain and simple.

One constant that’s emerged from this Patriots’ season riddled with uncertainty is James White. It appears that good things happen when he touches the ball, and his ability out of the backfield can really open up the rest of the field. Arguably one of the most under-appreciated running backs in the league, White will once again assume his role as third-down sparkplug and safety valve for Tom Brady against the Rams. I expect Brady to feed White early and often against a Rams’ defense better equipped in the secondary than at the line.
–Ethan Roy is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage Sports Media. He covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @_ethanroy
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
1/6 - Kyrie Irving Traded, Sean Payton To Broncos, Early Super Bowl Oddsby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyrie Irving trade, Sean Payton heading to […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Full Press MMA - Monday, February 6thby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Ep. 93: Vanderbilt Head Baseball Coach Tim Corbinby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 11:03 pm
-
Bucks at Trail Blazersby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Thunder at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Mavericks at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 9:15 pm
-
Kings at Rocketsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 8:30 pm
-
Spurs at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 7:45 pm
-
Cavaliers at Wizardsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 7:00 pm
-
Celtics at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Clippers at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm