Los Angeles Rams 3-13 New England Patriots
It was an uneventful Super Bowl 53, to say the least. However, it will still go down as one of the best wins in New England Patriots history.
After losing to the Philadelphia Eagles last year, Tom Brady and his Patriots knew what they had to do this time around. And while many fans felt like that this Super Bowl failed to live up to expectations—in all aspects—what matters is the Pats got the job done.
The Patriots, who have made it to the big game for three straight seasons now, schooled 24-year-old quarterback Jared Goff and the Rams. In the process, they took home their record-tying sixth Lombardi Trophy to join the Pittsburgh Steelers as the winningest teams in NFL history.
Highlights of the game
Perhaps, the fact that Brady was intercepted by Cory Littleton right on his first pass attempt was a tell-tale sign of how defensive and low-scoring the game would be.
The two teams combined for just 16 points and shattered the record for the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history, breaking the 1973 tally set by the Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins in a 14-7 affair in SB VII.
There was little to see for the fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, especially in a scoreless first quarter that featured both teams taking more punts than attacking and scoring attempts.
Sure enough, things changed quite a bit in the second canto when the Patriots drew first blood. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski put the Pats 0-3 up on a 42-yard field goal; however, that was all they could muster in the opening half.
Los Angeles fought back mightily and caught a much-needed break in the third. Greg Zuerlein, in an unexpected turnout, connected a 53-yard field goal attempt to make it 3-3 and set up the all-or-nothing payoff period.
As expected from long-time coach Bill Belichick, though, the Patriots made adjustments in the final frame. And it paid off big time!
Playing big with two running backs and two tight ends, the Pats broke the touchdown drought with a play that sealed the game.
New England rookie running back Sony Michel scored the touchdown, albeit from just two yards after Brady set the Pats up for the big opportunity.
Brady completed four straight passes to pave the way for Michel’s two-yard plunge. The 41-year-old QB sent the football to Rob Gronkowski for an 18-yard gain before firing a 29-yard pass near the end zone—which the 29-year-old tight-end received with a diving catch.
The Rams had a chance to cut the deficit with less than five minutes remaining. Nonetheless, in one of the key Super Bowl 2019 highlights, his pass to Brandin Cooks near the four-yard line was picked off by Stephon Gilmore.
It was all over for the Rams after that, with only 4:17 left to play and the Patriots taking the offence. Gostkowski eventually pulled the Pats away for good with a 41-yard field goal with a little over a minute remaining on the clock.
Key statistics
The pre-match Super Bowl 2019 odds at SBOBET pointed to a Patriots win, but the numbers had the New England team winning by less than six points. Nevertheless, the Rams just didn’t have enough to threaten their more experienced opponents.
In the first half, the Rams were shut down by the Pats, gaining a total of 57 yards and two first downs. Goff was ineffective, leading the team to only 32 pass yards.
Julian Edelman made life hard for the Rams as well, especially in the first half during which he outplayed LA’s offence. He finished as the Super Bowl MVP after getting 10 receptions and gaining 141 yards for the Patriots.
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman wins the #SuperBowl MVP!#SBLIII #EverythingWeGot pic.twitter.com/zhsWpKDr6P
— SBOBET (@SBOBET) February 4, 2019
Here are more statistics and notable milestones from the game:
- The Patriots shut down their opponents for the second straight game. Interestingly, it was against the top two offensive teams in the NFL this season: Kansas City Chiefs (no.1) and Rams (no.2).
- The 0-3 first half is the second-lowest in league history. It only trails Super Bowl IX between the Steelers and Minnesota Vikings which ended 2-0 at the half.
- Julian Edelman’s 141 yards is the second most receiving yards in Super Bowl history. He was just 75 yards shy of the record.
- Brady’s first Super Bowl title was against the St. Louis Rams in 2002. After 17 years, he has won his sixth—which, as mentioned, equals the Steelers’ record.
- Brady (41) is the oldest QB to win a Super Bowl. Belichick (66) is the oldest coach to win one.
What’s next?
Indeed, there’s nothing left for Brady to prove, so it is understandable if he contemplates retirement. But as Brady emphasised before the Super Bowl, he’ll only retire when he’s no longer effective for the Patriots.
With Brady and Belichick still bringing in the silverware, who’s betting against them breaking the record for the most Super Bowl wins and erasing any doubt about their GOAT partnership? I surely won’t!
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