ATLANTA — For years, the Patriots have been carried by the likes of Tom Brady, but in Sunday’s Super Bowl LIII, New England’s defense had its day.
Brian Flores’ swan song as de facto defensive coordinator was his masterpiece, as the Patriots held the high-octane Rams to three points and just 205 yards on the way to a 13-3 win Sunday, securing the sixth Super Bowl in franchise history.
Brady finished 21-for-35 for 262 yards with one interception. Julian Edelman was immense on the night with 10 catches for 141 yards to take home the MVP. Sony Michel added 18 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown.
But it was the defense that dominated. Dont’a Hightower had two sacks and Jonathan Jones and Kyle Van Noy had one each. Meanwhile, Stephon Gilmore came away with the key turnover, a pick of Los Angeles quarterback Jared Goff (19-for-38, 229 yards, one interception) late in the fourth quarter to help secure the win.
With the victory, the Patriots tie the Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins with six. Brady also becomes the all-time leader when it comes to Super Bowl rings with six. Bill Belichick ties George Halas and Curly Lambeau as coaches with the most NFL titles (six).
It was a slow start for both teams. The Patriots moved the ball early, but their problem was they were unable to punch it in. Stephen Gostkowski missed an early field goal attempt, but answered with a 42-yarder early in the second to get New England on the board.
The Patriots’ defense was more than up to the challenge, as the Rams were unable to get any sort of offensive traction in the early going. The zero L.A. posted at halftime represented the first time Los Angeles had been shut out in one half since their Dec. 9 loss to the Bears, a 15-6 defeat for the Rams.
Los Angeles finally broke through with a 10-play drive that ended with a 53-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein to tie things up with 2:11 remaining in the third quarter.
But the Patriots went ahead for good midway through the fourth as Michel finished off a five-play drive with a two-yard plunge to make it 10-3 with seven minutes remaining in regulation. The Rams answered with an impressive drive of their own, but an all-out blitz on Goff caused a bad throw from the youngster who lofted it toward the end zone, only to see Gilmore come away with the ball with 4:17 left.
Gostkowski added a 41-yarder with 1:12 left in regulation to finish the scoring.
IN-GAME UPDATES
10:05 p.m.: That's it. Gatorade bath for Belichck and Flores.
9:55 p.m.: Patriots just looking to grind it out here and take away as much of the clock as possible.
9:40 p.m.: AND THERE IT IS. Goff facing an all-out blitz and he lofts it up ... for Gilmore. The youngster has
9:37 p.m.: Pats sticking with single-high safety here in Devin McCourty.
9:32 p.m.: if you had Michel with the first touchdown of the night, you win. A plunge, and the Pats go up 10-3, pending the extra point. Five plays, 69 yards, 2:49 on that drive for the Patriots. A 2-yard run for Michel -- 11 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown for the rookie.
9;31 p.m.: Gronk gets them inside the five with a classic floater. A 29-yard pickup. Gotta get 7.
9:26 p.m.: One of the best defensive performances I can recall from this group. Punt coverage has been absolutely lights out. And one of the least effective offensive performances I can recall from this group. Anyway, 9:49 left in regulation, and it's still tied at three.
9:23 p.m.: Cooks starting to get some separation here from Gilmore.
9:14 p.m.: Ryan Allen for Super Bowl MVP.
9:13 p.m.: Another third-and-short with an empty backfield.
9:09 p.m.: Patriots starting to get some traction here with some heavy, two-back sets. Michel gets them out beyond midfield, and that's where we'll pick things up at the start of the fourth. Michel now has 10 carries for 51 yards.
9:03 p.m.: 53-yarder is good. We're all tied up -- 10 plays, 42 yards there for the Rams. Not overwhelming, but the Pats have to answer here. 53-yarder is second-longest in SB history.
8:59 p.m.: First big drive of the night for the Rams -- L.A. nearing the red zone.
8:57 p.m.: The Patriots have gone to a base 4-3 with Roberts on the field instead of an extra safety.
8:53 p.m.: Hogan came up limping after that pass attempt. The punt coverage team is having itself a night. Yikes.
8:47 p.m.: Goff is overwhelmed right now -- 5-fr-15 for 52 yards. Just a terrific night for the defense.
8:43 p.m.: Slater and Ryan Allen have had a great night. Another one inside the 10.
8:41 p.m.: On another third and short, the Pats have an empty backfield. A commentary on the Rams DL or something else? Out of character for the Pats, regardless.
8:40 p.m.: Chung (arm) out for the game.
8:38 p.m.: Edelman is just an absolute beast tonight. Earning his money -- now at 8 catches for 120 yards.
8:37 p.m.: Looks like Elandon Roberts came on the field on that third down to replace Chung. We'll see how the Pats handle it going forward.
8:34 p.m.: That looked bad. Chung might be done for the night. Here comes the cart.
8:32 p.m.: Chung was shaken up there. Grabbing the wrist.
8:30 p.m.: WOW. Hightower had that just go off his hands.
8:25 p.m.: The last time the Rams didn't score in a half was in their Dec. 9 loss to the Bears (15-6) in Chicago.
8:15 p.m.:
•Michel — 6 carries, 22 yards
•Edelman — 7 catches, 93 yards
•Brady — 15-for-25, 160 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT
•Rams have two first downs, 57 total yards and no points. If this is Brian Flores’ swan song as Pats de facto DC, it’s a hell of a way to go out. But they need to get more from the offense that they've been getting to this point.
Aaron Donald wrecking the center and Brady pic.twitter.com/BjZ8XdJh3y
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— Christopher Price (@cpriceNFL) February 3, 2019