And that’s a wrap! Congrats to the Patriots, who extended the greatest dynasty in NFL history (and won their sixth Super Bowl) with an all-time defensive performance that harked back to Belichick’s days of old.
Thanks to everyone who followed along with us, and to those who read our work all season long. Although the Super Bowl itself was far from a shootout, this was one of the highest-scoring, most exciting NFL seasons in a long time, and we can’t wait to see what happens next year.
See you then!
I think the Patriots succeeded in getting pressure on Goff, which was a big part of the game plan. But to me, this was just as much about Goff not executing. I don’t see how 20 different current QBs don’t play better in this one. The Pats defense did well, but he’s not playing the 1985 Bears here. He’s not even playing the 2018 Bears.
Was the difference tonight line play and pressure? According to ESPN Stats & Info, Goff was under pressure on 43 percent of his dropbacks in the game. Brady, by comparison, was pressured on only 14 percent of dropbacks.
(That’s the McNabb Eagles.)
Yes, all their wins prior were within one score. But that’s a little deceiving because the Eagles scored a touchdown in garbage time to pull within one.
This was the biggest margin of victory for the Patriots in the Super Bowl, beating the record 6 in the overtime win against the Falcons.
I don’t think he retires. He’s transcended age. Gronkowski might retire, though.
It looks like a complete madhouse down there.
0 percent chance Brady retires. He’s going to play forever, Sara.
Now: Does Brady retire???
He looks like a man who believes he’s the best ever and no one can argue.
At least since this:
Belichick looks so happy. Maybe happy as I’ve ever seen him.
And that’s the ballgame. New England 13, Los Angeles 3.
Or not.
The back-door 6.
Well, maybe they will end up with 6.
The Rams scored 32.9 points per game this season, second only to the Chiefs. Looks like they’ll only muster 3 points in this one, the biggest game of the season.
And this formally concludes the most uninteresting Super Bowl in modern history.
I like the Gronk-for-MVP campaign, Michael. I’m on board.
And that should do it. New England 13, Los Angeles 3, with 1:12 left.
By a whisker.
Gostkowski not quite Vinatieri-like pressure on that one, but close, and he comes through.
Gostkowski has had a shaky game, though. He missed one and nearly missed the second. And he’s been sitting on the bench the entire game.
(Shaky by his standards.)
Brady is below EV on sneaks.
I say Belichick should go for it.
Do you? The Brady sneak seems to never fail.
Have to kick the FG here.
I can’t give it to Michel.
What about Sony?
Who is the MVP? Edelman has the stats, but Gronk has the play of the game and was huge on their one TD drive.
Two-minute warning.
Belichick is like, LET HIM ACCEPT IT!!!
He can’t really do this, can he?
McVay!!!!!!!
Have to decline it right?
You have to feel for the Rams defense. I’m not sure what else they were supposed to do in this.
The Patriots running out the clock with their best back.
https://twitter.com/benbbaldwin/status/1092253559868018688
Impressive run by former Husker Rex Burkhead.
And the Pats are closing in very quickly on Super Bowl win No. 6.
Eighth penalty of the game on the Rams a few plays ago. They were one of the least-penalized teams in the league this year at 5.9 per game.
Michel for MVP is steaming.
That’s not Cooks’s game, a catch like that.
Gilmore has had a great game shadowing Cooks all day. He finally gets beat, and Cooks proceeds to drop the ball at the goal line. Next play, he gets a potentially game-sealing interception.
I know that ad was about empowering girls, but it’s also not a stretch to see children slicing through the N.Y. Giants’ defense.
ASMR beer commercials I’m deceased.
We’ve been saying Goff wilts under pressure. Eighth-worst Total QBR in the league this year when pressured. Bad decision to throw it there under pressure.
Terrible throw. Just terrible.
Stephon Gilmore with a HUGE pick.
This is getting actually interesting, not “long punt” interesting.