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Super Bowl LIII: 5 candidates who may take home MVP hardware

By Peter Panacy

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, and New England Patriots' Tom Brady with the Pete Rozelle MVP Trophy during the Super Bowl Winner and MVP press conference on February 6, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, and New England Patriots' Tom Brady with the Pete Rozelle MVP Trophy during the Super Bowl Winner and MVP press conference on February 6, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 20: Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball 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 David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 20: Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball 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 David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Running Back Sony Michel, Patriots

Boy, wouldn’t it be something if a rookie winds up winning Super Bowl LII MVP honors?

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Well, it’s not out of the question.

Running back Sony Michel has been a factor for a primarily pass-first Patriots offense this season. And while he fell just short of reaching 1,000 rush yards in year one, watching him carve up the Kansas City Chiefs defense to the tune of 113 yards and two touchdowns in the AFC Championship game spells good things for New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ plans.

As the Patriots did with the Chiefs over the first half, one might expect McDaniels to dial up a game plan involving the running game and ball control. Like Kansas City, Los Angeles’ own offense is more than potent.

But it’s wholly ineffective if it’s not on the field.

Look for Michel to be a massive factor in the game. And it would be prudent for the Pats to use him often, as the Rams allowed an average of 5.1 rush yards per attempt during the regular season — worst in the NFL.