Super Bowl LIII was played on Sunday, Feb, 3 in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The game resulted in the New England Patriots defeating the Los Angeles Rams by a score of 13-3.
The low scoring event got off to an exciting start as New England’s quarterback, Tom Brady, threw an interception on the first drive. However, the Rams were unable to capitalize off Brady’s blunder, and were forced to punt the ball back to the Patriots.
New England gained 60 yards on their next drive but came up short again when their kicker, Stephen Gostkowski, missed a 46-yard field goal attempt. He redeemed himself early in the second quarter though, hitting a 42-yard field goal to make the score 3-0 in favor of the Patriots.
Although both teams had possession of the ball three more times during the first half, the score remained the same at halftime. The Rams became the 13th team to be held scoreless in the first half of a Super Bowl.
The second half continued to lack productive offense as both teams began with two punts each. Near the end of the third quarter, Rams’ kicker Greg Zuerlein hit a 53-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3.
For many football fans, hopes of another Super Bowl going into overtime (just as in Super Bowl LI) began to form as the teams remained tied for the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter. Those dreams were stifled when Patriots’ running back Sony Michel punched in a 2-yard rushing touchdown, and Stephen Gostkowski’s extra point gave the Patriots a 10-3 advantage.
The Rams’ next drive seemed promising but was unproductive, as their quarterback, Jared Goff, threw an interception. The Patriots drove down the field once again, and Stephen Gostkowski nailed a 41-yard field goal to give his team a ten-point lead.
The Rams’ last hope for a comeback was silenced when Greg Zuerlein missed a 48-yard field goal attempt. The Patriots took a final knee to run the clock out before hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in three seasons.
Patriots’ wide receiver Julian Edelman was voted Most Valuable Player for his 10 reception, 141-yard receiving performance.
The Super Bowl Champions included two former Rock Hill standouts. Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson recorded two carries for seven yards, two receptions for 14 yards and one kickoff return for 38 yards. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore logged five tackles, three passes defended, and the team’s only interception.
This was New England’s 11th Super Bowl appearance: the most by any team. It was also their sixth Super Bowl victory and ninth appearance led by head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.
“[The game] was super boring and had very little action,” said Matthew Ervin, a freshman and Philadelphia Eagles fan. “It further shows that, and it hurts to say this, Tom Brady is truly the best to have ever played.”
The final score of 13-3 set the record for lowest scoring game in Super Bowl history, but the Patriots 10-point win is the organization’s largest margin of victory in a Super Bowl, as their previous wins had all been by six points or less.
