Welcome in to the full recap of Super Bowl LIII featuring the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams as the Patriots, behind their defense, wallop Goff and the Rams' offense 13-3 to secure their 6th Vince Lombardi trophy in franchise history.
Well, I just woke up from a power nap after that game. I'm kidding, no I didn't as I commented throughout the whole game. Just by that score alone, you'd think that this was a Week 1 NFL game. But no, this is the final score in a Super Bowl. The lowest Super Bowl score since its inception. Definitely that was an unexpected outcome. I'd thought both teams would come out of the gate swinging and ultimately, the Patriots would come out on top. This football game was like a game of chicken. Both defenses wouldn't budge for three quarters in the game. But in the end, the Rams were the first to break. Let's be real here, they were on the field too long as the Rams' offense was just shut out throughout. But I should save that for my full analysis below.
Los Angeles Rams
(+)
Defense (for three and a half quarters). If there's any defensive unit that gives Tom Brady, Josh McDaniels, and Patriots offense all kinds of fits, it's gotta be a defensive unit coached by Wade Phillips. It's been evident since 2015 as they've held them to really low scores. Wade Phillips' defense never shows their hand that easily. He did a great job tonight mixing it up with man and zone, confusing Brady at times and the D-line was able to get some penetration. The defense did just enough to win. It's too bad they couldn't get any help from their offense who've been staggered all game long.
Brandin Cooks, 8 receptions, 120 yards. Life must suck right now for Brandin Cooks. He was traded to the Pats last year. The Pats lose to the Eagles in SB52. He gets traded to the Rams, his team loses to the Pats. But, that's the unfortunate part in sports. In my post in the first half, I said the Rams have to find this guy more to open up opportunities for Woods and Reynolds in the passing game. They did just that in the 3rd quarter to tack on some points. He had a couple of would-be TDs. The first one he was wide open. Busted coverage by New England's secondary. Goff didn't find him on time. 2nd time, Goff's throw was right on the money and Cooks just couldn't hold on for the game-tying TD. Nonetheless, getting him involved gave the Rams offense a little bit of a spark.
(-)
Offense. Well, you can break this negative down into subsections because the Patriots' defense just made their life a living hell. This side of the ball is the strength of this Rams team. I would assume they were prepared for any kinds exotic looks Bill Belichick would throw at them, just not at this magnitude. They running game was taken away from them. All the bootlegs and playaction, they couldn't execute. And that turned them into a one-dimensional team. We saw shades of 2016 Jared Goff as the Patriots D took away what he did best and force him to beat them in the pocket. Perhaps, the biggest headscratcher is the touch distribution between C.J. Anderson and Todd Gurley. Without question, that has been the strangest headline as Gurley has been intentionally taken out of the game plan for C.J. Anderson to get more touches. Not sure if it's the injury that Gurley, but he was non-existent until he broke a few runs in the 3rd quarter. They got away with it in the NFC Championship, but it didn't work against a team like the Patriots. Hopefully, we get more insight on the behind-the-scenes there about the lack of touches that Gurley has gotten this postseason. It's one of the strangest ways to sabotage your team's key strength.
New England Patriots
(+)
Defense. Might as well make this a rehash of what I said about the Rams' offense being a negative this whole game. This is a classic example of this defense playing as a unit rather than relying on a game-changing individual to get their defense going. And that is the work of Bill Belichick right there. He stresses this unit to stay disciplined and he shadows their inefficiency to get after the quarterback by taking away the opposition's strength and implement all kinds of exotic looks to confuse the quarterback. No question, they confused the hell out of Goff with exotic looks and a lot of disguise blitzes to strengthen the pass rush and add opportunities to get a sack, which they did a couple of times.
Julian Edelman, 10 receptions, 141 yards. I swear, I thought Edelman had more yardage than that considering the Rams' defense had no answer for him and allowed him to gain chunk yards. As I said in my preview, the Patriots missed this guy last year and he could've been a difference maker against Philadelphia if he hadn't gotten injured. It was a tough road for Edelman this season. Suspended the first four games. Wasn't involved in the offense much to start. But along the way, he found that chemistry with Tom Brady again. He was unstoppable in the AFC Championship on 3rd down. This game was no different either. Edelman's performance tonight was the one that proved to be the difference. And unequivocally, he was the Pats' MVP tonight.
Sony Michel, 18 carries, 94 rushing yards, 1 TD. Michel punched it in for the first TD of the game and he broke out a couple of big runs to put the game out of reach in order for the Pats to secure that 6th trophy. The rookie has been outstanding throughout this postseason and the Patriots may have just found their bell cow back going forward.
Ryan Allen, 5 punts, 43 yard avg. Hey, punters are people too! Allen had the Rams offense pinned inside the 20 three times. It's no wonder the Rams couldn't get any good field position to start since Cory Littleton's INT.
(-)
Score more? It's technically not a negative, but Tom Brady and the Pats offense could've tact on more points with the way they controlled the clock for the majority of the game and they were able get into Rams territory a couple of times.
Conclusion
Well Steelers, make some room because the Patriots just moved in with their brand new sixth Lombardi trophy to tie you for the most Super Bowl wins in NFL history. Without a doubt, I hate the Patriots. Many other NFL fans hate the Patriots. But, their recipe for success is something to behold. As mentioned, many have tried to replicate the Patriot way. And many have failed doing that. It is a trade secret only accessible if you're within the organization itself. It starts with a head coach in Bill Belichick and a quarterback in Tom Brady. Their resume is already impressive. They didn't need to win another one to cement their legacies. But to secure a sixth Super Bowl win for one franchise in the span of 20 years, that is greatness personified. In the case of the Rams, there's nothing to be discredited about their impressive season this year. Well, except for one no-call that should've been P.I. and we would've gotten a HOF Super Bowl between Brady and Brees and Belichick and Payton. But still, it was a great season for them. They'll definitely be back. But their window is coming as they have to think about extending Jared Goff's contract and their salary cap. They locked up Todd Gurley, Aaron Donald, etc. A lot of decisions have to made by GM Les Snead and considering the Gurley situation fizzled out, don't be surprised if we see a shocking transaction in the offseason. They'll have to make some tough decisions as this was their window of opportunity to win it all. That said, the Patriot dynasty still reigns. Thank you for following my coverage of Super Bowl LIII. I'll see you guys in March yet again for the incoming offseason and free agency.
Congrats New England Patriots Super Bowl LIII Champions!
(Seriously, this dynasty needs to end eventually!)
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