FOXBORO -- The New England Patriots usually win in the NFL playoffs on the strength of quarterback Tom Brady, but for a lot of the team's current postseason run, it's been the running backs who have shouldered the burden offensively.
The Patriots dominated the Kansas City Chiefs on the ground in Sunday's AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium, outgaining the No. 1 seed with 176 rushing yards to 41.
Rookie running back Sony Michel tallied a team-high 113 rushing yards and scored his fifth touchdown of the playoffs -- becoming the first rookie to ever hit that milestone. Rex Burkhead racked up 41 yards on the ground and scored the team's last two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. James White ran for 23 yards, but also caught four passes for 49 yards.
"They're a dynamic group," Patriots center David Andrews said about the team's running backs Monday at Gillette Stadium. "They all made huge plays last night. James made some huge plays in the passing game. Sony ran hard all night. Rex came up at the biggest times of the game. They are great running backs, and I'm just fortunate enough to get to block for them. Josh (McDaniels) did a great job getting the ball in their hands, and good things happened when we gave them lanes and got them open."
The Patriots rushing attack also outgained the Los Angeles Chargers 155 yards to 19 in the AFC Divisional Round, and we should expect more ground-and-pound football from New England in Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams allowed a league-high 5.1 yards per carry during the regular season, and their defense also gave up a total of 12 rushing touchdowns. Los Angeles has improved in the playoffs, though, and didn't allow the New Orleans Saints or Dallas Cowboys to run for more than 100 yards.
However, there are weaknesses on this Rams run defense, and it will be up to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to find them and devise a game plan to exploit them. Luckily for him, he has two weeks to prepare before the Feb. 3 showdown.
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