Brady, Patriots defeat Rams for 6th Super Bowl title

Written by: Tanner White, Sports and Entertainment Correspondent

 

In a game where two high-flying offenses were bound to compete in a shootout, defense dominated the game. The New England Patriots won the championship game 13-3 over the Los Angeles Rams in a rematch of Super Bowl XXXV in 2002.

 

For the first time in Super Bowl history, no touchdown was scored in the first three quarters. The Rams were shut out in the first half, and only scored three points on a field goal from Greg Zuerlein late in the third quarter.

 

The first half of the game was dominated by defense, as well as poor offensive play by both teams. Tom Brady did not play like his usual self, as his first pass attempt was intercepted. He threw for only 160 yards in the first half. Goff also had a very forgettable first half, as he went 5 for 12 and only threw for 52 yards. The Patriots led 3-0 going into halftime.

 

The Super Halftime Show was headlined by Maroon 5, with guest acts Travis Scott and Outkast’s Big Boi. Maroon 5 started the show with a few of their older songs, such as “This Love” and “Harder to Breathe” as well as their new hit song “Girls Like You”, which hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.Travis Scott then came in after a warm welcome from the well-known Spongebob halftime scene in the show Spongebob Squarepants. With a little help from Maroon 5, Scott performed his hit song “Sicko Mode.” Big Boi then rolled up in an old Cadillac convertible with a giant fur coat on, while performing his hit song “The Way You Move.” Maroon 5 closed out the performance with their popular songs “She Will be Loved”, “Sugar”, and “Moves Like Jagger” while lanterns were lit and released and fireworks exploded outside the stadium.

 

The second half became more interesting, with both teams starting to find some traction. Los Angeles received the ball first, and failed to score, resulting in another punt. At this point, one of the Patriots wide receivers, Julian Edelman, had more receiving yards than the Rams total offensive yards.

 

With 3:40 left in the third quarter, the Rams were finally able to put points on the board with a 53 yard field goal by kicker Greg Zuerlein. The ball seemed to float wide right, but Zuerlein was able to get some spin on the football to curve back through the uprights.

 

The Rams and Patriots exchanged a pair of punts, and the Super Bowl was tied 3-3 halfway through the last quarter. Brady led his team down the field, including a beautiful 30 yard pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski, setting New England up at the Ram’s 2-yard line. Rookie running back Sony Michel then scored the first touchdown of the game with a run up the middle, making the score 10-3 after the extra point.

 

Jared Goff led the Rams down the field with a little over 4 minutes left in the game. As he took a shot down the field while trying to escape pressure, Goff heaved the football toward his receiver Brandin Cooks. The ball floated in the air before coming down into the hands of a player, Patriots All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore. New England regained possession with 4:17 left in the game at their own 4 yard line.

 

As the Patriots drove down the field, as they have done all second half, the Rams are able to stop them on 3rd and short, forcing a field goal attempt. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski made the 41 yard field goal, making it 13-3 with 1:12 left.

 

Los Angeles still had a chance to make a come back, kick a field goal, recover the onside kick, and throw the Hail Mary. That chance was lost as kicker Greg Zuerlein missed the 43 yard field goal, giving the Patriots possession to run down the clock. Game over.

 

Brady threw for 262 yards with one interception, while his counterpart Goff threw 229 yards with one interception. Star running back Todd Gurley was shut down by the Patriots, as he only ran for 35 yards on 10 attempts. The game’s receiving leader was Patriots Julian Edelman,

Julien Edelman wins MVP of Super Bowl LIII

with 10 catches for 141 yards. This was his sixth postseason game with 100+ receiving yards. Edelman would end up being voted as the Super Bowl MVP. He is the seventh receiver to win this award, and the first since Pittsburgh’s Santonio Holmes in Super Bowl XLIII. He is also the second Patriots receiver to earn the honor of Super Bowl MVP, following in the footsteps of Deion Branch in Super Bowl XXXIX.

 

Several Super Bowl records broken, including the longest punt in the title game, at 65 yards by Johnny Hekker. The two teams also combined for a record-breaking lowest scoring Super Bowl with 16 points, and the Rams also scoring the fewest points in the title game as well.

 

The Belichick-Brady dynasty continues, with their 6th championship together. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers have as many championships as the New England Patriots organization. Brady becomes the only player in NFL history to have 6 rings.

 

Will Brady have enough in him to continue dominating? He has confirmed he will be coming back next season, and has publicly stated he wants to play at 45 years of age, while he is only 41. The Rams’ future looks bright with a young, aggressive coach in Sean McVey and a young core of dominant, talented players such as Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, and 2018 Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.

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Tanner White is a sophomore communications major with an emphasis in digital media. He enjoys baseball and long walks to the fridge.