Harrington Gardiner | Staff Writer
David J. Phillip | Associated Press
Two of the NFL’s top offenses combined for a Super Bowl-record-low 16 points, and the New England Patriots claimed their sixth championship with a 13-3 victory against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in Atlanta.
Patriots receiver Julian Edelman nabbed 10 catches for 141 yards and MVP honors as New England added to its dynasty hardware in Super Bowl LIII, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Lombardi trophies.
Edelman became the seventh receiver to win the award and the first since the Steelers’ Santonio Holmes did so 10 years ago. Edelman also was the fourth offensive player to win Super Bowl MVP without scoring a touchdown.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was picked off with his first pass attempt, which was tipped by Nickell Robey-Coleman and intercepted by Cory Littleton.
The Rams could not capitalize, and the teams traded punts for most of the first half. New England took a 3-0 lead into halftime.
In the first three quarters, Brady completed several short passes and did not really go with risky throws. The Rams’ secondary was being tested all night, and for the most part, L.A. was able to make key stops.
Both quarterbacks didn’t have a passing touchdown and they both threw interceptions. On third downs, the Patriots converted 3-of-12 and the Rams 3-of-13.
Los Angeles kicked its way to a tie score, but late in the fourth quarter, Rams QB Jared Goff threw a costly interception that was picked off by Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Goff struggled as his longest pass was 24 yards, and he was 19-of-38.
Following the interception, Brady and the offense went down the field and led a drive that ended in a Sony Michel touchdown that put the Patriots up 10-3.
The TD was set up by a diving catch by Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.
“I watched my teammate make play after play all game, and I said that now it’s my turn to make a play, and it was a great throw from Tom,” Gronkowski said.
Following the Patriots’ touchdown, Los Angeles was unable to put up points on the board and the Patriots all but sealed the title with a field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.
Rams coach Sean McVay talked about what it was like losing the game and the job he did in comparison to Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
“I got outcoached,” McVay told USA Today and other national reporters. “You can certainly learn from this moment and build the mental toughness to help us become much better than we were this year. This loss will sting.”
The Hampton Script 