Maybe they should call it the Apathy Bowl.......

The only thing that has gotten more hype than the Super Bowl was Punxatawny Phil, and he didn't see his shadow yesterday.

This year's edition might as well be rechristened, the Apathy Bowl, because while the NFL and its power brokers are ignoring Patriot Fatigue, the Los Angeles Rams aren't being treated as saviors.

Not only is New Orleans still butt-hurt over the officiating gaffe in the NFC title game two weeks ago, the citizens of St. Louis feel like the Rams, who represented the city the last time they played the Super Bowl 17 years ago, betrayed them when they moved back to LA prior to the 2016 season, ending a 23 year run in St. Louis, and there are still some hard feelings, particularly toward owner Stan Kroenke, also the owner of the NBA's Denver Nuggets. I read an article Saturday that said that Kroenke's picture is being placed on dartboards and toilet seats in bars all over the Gateway City.

A judge threw out a frivolous lawsuit demanding the critical final moments of the 4th quarter of the Rams-Saints game two weeks ago be replayed. We all know the officiating system in the NFL is severely flawed, and has been for years. The NFL's media & advertising partners, some will say, have undue influence on how the playoffs play out. Then again, New England owner Robert Kraft is on a few committees, and those same conspiracy theorists would submit that he's not above waving some money to certain people to get what he wants.

Enough about the off-field drama. Let's talk about the game.

New England began their tainted dynasty by beating the then-St. Louis Rams on a last second Adam Vinatieri field goal. Vinatieri is now in Indianapolis, having signed for another season with the Colts. Former Ram Eric Dickerson recently reignited accusations that the Patriots may have allegedly cheated in 2002. Coach Bill Belichick's legacy is tarnished because of nearly 20 years of accusations of chicanery, where the guilty parties are usually answering not to Belichick, who has seven rings total, the first two as a Giants assistant, but likely to Kraft. Tom Brady's Hall of Fame plaque will likely have to have asterisks attached because of all the controversies (i.e. The Tuck Game vs. Oakland, Spygate, etc.), because his accomplishments have been tainted. There is talk that oft-injured TE Rob Gronkowski might hang it up after tonight, with an eye toward joining wrestler pal Mojo Rawley in the WWE. He still looks like he could pass for a college frat boy, so Hollywood could be calling first.

Jared Goff is in his 3rd season. When the 2019 season starts, Brady will be in his 20th season out of Michigan. Goff is trying to treat this like a regular season game (!). Brady and his ego are as defiant as ever, and won't be satisfied until he is universally recognized as the greatest of all time. I'm sorry, but that ain't gonna happen. After all this time, there are still too many people who won't give Brady the benefit of the doubt. Brady wants to avenge what happened last year at this time, when the Eagles reminded him that the NFC East has been his Super Bowl Kryptonite. As for Goff, let's not forget that he has a young, talented nucleus on offense, including RB Todd Gurley, who will be across the sideline from another Georgia alumnus in rookie Sony Michel, who finally is getting his just due in the post-season.

The knock on New England during the regular season was that it seemed Brady insisted the offense be around him and the passing game, not the running game. Belichick changed things up in the playoffs, and the result saw Michel & Rex Burkhead combine for nine touchdowns. James White, a Super Bowl hero two years ago vs. Atlanta, has had two. The Rams' defensive line, led by Aaron Donald and reputed bad boy Ndamakong Suh (formerly with Detroit & Miami), will be prepared either way. Stop the run, and Brady will start chucking like there's no tomorrow. Shut down the prima donna along with the rushing game, and the Rams could make it two in a row for the NFC.

Last year, I picked New England, not believing the Eagles could avenge an earlier loss, but they did. However, it is the Rams' turn to seek revenge. A video game simulation has them winning. All Brady wants is to win a clean game with no controversy. As the Cornelius Brothers sang nearly 40 years ago, it's too late to turn back now. Patriot haters are going to be looking for penalties not being called. Then again, in light of recent events, so will people jumping on the anti-Ram bandwagon. This time, youth will be served and win out over the aging egos.

Pick-Rams. Of course, I could be wrong.