The first half of Super Bowl LIII has been the cliche "two prized fighters feeling each other out." I hate using cliches but that is exactly what has happened in the first half, at least from the offensive side.
Los Angeles won the opening toss and elected to defer to the second half giving Tom Brady the ball first to start the Super Bowl. After a great opening return by New England's Cordarrelle Patterson, the Patriots found themselves in Los Angeles territory after one play from scrimmage. Gashing the Rams on the ground with Sonny Michel, New England started the game off hot like they had been there nine times since the turn of the century. Then an event that was out of the norm, a Tom Brady interception. That is right, the first time Tom Brady dropped back to pass in Super Bowl LIII he was intercepted by San Diego's own, and Mount Miguel alum Cory Littleton.
Tipped and PICKED.@RamsNFL D with the early takeaway!--: #SBLIII on CBS pic.twitter.com/5ptrKyiE9q
— NFL (@NFL)
February 3, 2019 The Rams did nothing with the interception, and quickly punted after a three and out.
The Patriots second drive was much of the same, with a little more of the passing attack of Julian Edelman. Despite the Rams forcing a stop on third down, the Patriots were bailed out by a hit on a defensless receiver penalty, then precieded to march down the field.
Nickell Robey-Coleman was flagged for hitting a defenseless receiver on this play in #SBLIII pic.twitter.com/2BY1zJBRWg
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter)
February 3, 2019 Off the many receptions of Edelman and the ground attack of Michel, the Patriots drove the ball 60 yards on 11 plays down to the Rams 28-yard line for a 46-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal attempt. Prior to Gostkowski's attempt field goal kickers at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium were a perfect 31-for-31 on field goals. A stat that CBS announcer Jim Nantz uttered right before Gostkowski...missed the field goal.
The Rams again did absolutley nothing after the missed field goal attempt.
After a couple more punts by either team New England was able to get into field goal range again, this time Gostkowski made a 42-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 3-0 lead.
The Rams would punt on their next three drives and stop the Patriots one more time before half on downs.
Los Angeles has not been able to get anything going offensivley despite the great stops by their defense and a fotunate missed field goal by the Patriots. Their offensive woes include six punts and not a single drive being more than a measley five plays, as they have only been able to gain two first downs all half.
3-0 New England is where we stand after one half, let's see if halftime adjustments spark both teams offenses.
Be sure to tune into the second half of Westwood One's coverage of Super Bowl LIII right here on 97.3 The Fan.
