Patriots Beat Rams 13-3 In Super Bowl LIII For Sixth National Title, Tie Steelers For Most In NFL [VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots made their mark in NFL history yet again on Sunday night, defeating the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Pats tied the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl rings with six, and Brady became the first player in the league’s history to capture six national championship titles. The 41-year-old quarterback finished 21-of-35 for 262 yards, one interception and one touchdown, a 29-yard pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski. 

Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, 32, won his first-ever Super Bowl MVP Award after winning three national titles with the franchise and logging 10 catches for 141 yards on Sunday. Pats running back Sony Michel scored the game-winning touchdown and only one of the night.

There weren’t a plethora of highlights in this game. As my friend James said, “The Patriots made the Rams beat themselves.” It’s absolutely true: Yes, Brady tossed an interception on his first possession. Yes, Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowksi missed his first field goal of the game, a 46-yard kick with 5:40 left in the opening quarter. Yes, Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein made a 53-yard field goal to tie the game 3-3 with 4:22 left in the third quarter.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Yes, midway through the third quarter, Rams punter Johnny Hekker made history with the longest Super Bowl punt with a 65-yard kick (by one yard). Yes, Pats players Devin and Jason McCourty became the first twins to play in and win a Super Bowl. Yes, New England cornerback Stephon Gilmore got the clutch interception on a throw from Jared Goff on a 2nd-and-10 at the 4-yard line with 4:17 remaining in the game (and the 24-year-old Rams QB — the No. 1 overall pick out of California in 2016 — unclasped his helmet in dismay).

But overall, this year’s Super Bowl did not have nearly as many highlights as other previous national championship games, and it also broke a not-so-brag-worthy record: it was the lowest-scoring national title game in NFL history. Pro football fans were surely excited to see Sean McVay —the Rams’ 33-year-old head coach — face 66-year-old Bill Belichick, one of the oldest coaches in the league. Alas, the Rams failed to win their second Super Bowl ever and first since January 2000, when they beat the Tennessee Titans.

Goff was feeling way too much pressure throughout the night and it clearly showed. His team’s defense fell apart after halftime and proved no match for New England’s powerful receiving corps and running backs,  and Los Angeles’s offense also displayed just a few bright spots. The Rams drew 9 penalties for 65 yards, versus 3 flags for 20 yards for the Pats. Zuerlein missed a 48-yard field goal in the final seconds despite a valiant effort.

In total, Goff only logged two rushing touchdowns and Hekker was forced to punt more times than he should have for every 3-and-out the Rams had.

Brady kissed Pats owner Robert Kraft passionately — perhaps a little too passionately for a married man — and Belichick held his granddaughter, beaming with joy after hugging Gisele Bundchen and being doused with Gatorade.

Brady’s retirement will thus not seemingly be anytime soon, as the “GOAT” signal-caller clearly has quite a bit of gas left in the tank, unfortunately for any non-Patriots fans who were hoping he’d hang up his cleats this year or in 2020.

The Patriots have had the same franchise QB since 2000 and will likely keep him as long as he keeps winning championships for the team, no matter how great or average he plays. There’s probably no need for New England to draft a passer this year.