A dour and at times ugly Super Bowl has seen the New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams by ten points at the Mercedez-Benz Arena in Atlanta, with Tom Brady winning his sixth.
Locked at three-all throughout the fourth quarter with only a pair of field goals giving either side anything to cheer about, before a Sony Michel touchdown finally broke the deadlock with just seven minutes to go in the final quarter.
It came off a five-play drive, with the Patriots advancing 69 yards before Michel made the two-yard run for the crucial touchdown.
The Rams almost had an opportunity to score a touchdown of their own with just five minutes to play, but lost the ball over the line on a long pass, then had it intercepted by Stephon Gilmore on the follow-up, with Jared Goff unable to find the space needed to get them over the line.
Following the missed opportunity, the Patriots would make another nine-play drive up the field, going 67 yards in just over three minutes, with a second field goal for Stephen Gostkowski icing the game with just two minutes to go.
Earlier, the Patriots had been dealt a blow, with Patrick Chung breaking his arm at the start of the second half.
With good defence on display from the Rams though, Tom Brady struggled to insert himself on the match or link-up with his normal combinations of Michel and Rob Gronkowski.
The Patriots defence was good from start to finish, and while the Rams had one last chance to convert a field goal for a shot at the hail mary play, it missed, and so the Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl in 17 years.
The 13 points scored throughout the game sets a new record for the lowest Super Bowl scoreline in history, with the previous record held by Super Bowl VII in 1973, when the Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Redskins 14-7.
The Rams also become only the second team in Super Bowl history to fail to score a touchdown in the game.
New England Patriots 13
Los Angeles Rams 3
Pete McAloney
Roar Pro
Anyone but the bloody pats! That was definitely a game for the purists. It was a fascinating struggle. For me the key difference was the coaching. McVay looked like a deer caught in the headlights. And I just read that he admitted to being outcoached. Goff likewise claimed it was his fault, and there’s some truth to that. The killer is that team evil didn’t play outstanding. Tom the cheater looked flatter than usual but the unheralded NE defence were very smart and just like loyal evil minions they executed the master plan of their lord of darkness, Belicheck. It was impressive that the Rams D kept them in the game, they gave their all but what was it, nine punts in a row?! A final comment: Tony Romo is an excellent commentator!
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
While it was a dour game at times, I thought it was a pretty good battle. Patriots emerge with yet another Super Bowl trophy.
Al
Guest
What a turd of a game.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
All the hoopla about defence is dead certainly looses all momentum now. Not perfect but defence was great from both teams and officials let a bit of PI go on both sides. Pats were easily the better side, they just lacked the finishing touch. The Rams offence never got going until very, very late which was surprising given they had two weeks to prepare. Edleman was a worthy MVP. The guy shows up for big games and his yards after the carry got the Pats first downs which kept the ball in their hands and the Rams offence off the field. Couple of edits for you Scott - Total match points was 16 (not 13), but it doesn't change the stat. Michel had seven receptions all year, so Brady never linked up with him usually. Perhaps you meant White? Just keeping you honest :)
Monday QB
Guest
A very different game to the one many predicted it would be. But a good battle of coaching wits. Better team won on the day. Won’t be one the neutral/casual supporter remembers, but we’ve been treated to some high scoring shoot outs the last few Super Bowls, and if they were all that it might as well be 20-20 cricket!