Rookie running back Sony Michel's two-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning score and, coincidentally, the only touchdown scored in the New England Patriots' 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Georgia.
The win marked the sixth time that quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick emerged victorious in nine total Super Bowl appearances since 2001. Brady also set a record for the most Super Bowl wins by an individual player in league history.
It certainly was not Brady's best game as he only completed 21-of-35 pass attempts for 262 yards, and he tossed an interception on his first pass of the game. After that, Brady went to work and completed a majority of his passes to his go-to guy, Julian Edelman.
As for Edelman, he had a great day in the passing game, bringing in 10 catches for 141 yards. That was good enough to earn him the honor as the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player. He helped New England move the ball by getting open and completing a number of short routes to extend drives, especially on third down.
Michel led the ground game for the Patriots with 94 yards rushing on 18 carries, and was able to punch in the go-ahead touchdown with about seven minutes to go in the game.
Rob Gronkowski helped set up that touchdown with a brilliant 29-yard catch from Brady at the Rams' two-yard line. In what has been rumored to, potentially, be his last game, Gronkowski brought in six receptions for 87 yards.
It seemed like Los Angeles was destined for a quick start after picking off Brady of the first drive of the game, but the Rams ended up struggling throughout the night to produce any offense and move the ball into scoring position.
The Rams picked up their only points of the night with 2:11 left in the third quarter as kicker Greg Zuerlein tied the game up with a 53-yard field goal.
After the Patriots scored to go ahead 10-3, the Rams went on a potential game-tying drive and got as far as the New England 27-yard line. However, quarterback Jared Goff was intercepted by Patriots cornerback, and former Buffalo Bills cornerback, Stephon Gilmore with just 4:17 left on the clock.
New England kept the football off that turnover for the next three-plus minutes before Stephen Gostkowski drilled the dagger between the uprights from 41-yards out.
It was an off night for Goff, as he struggled by completing 19-of-38 pass attempts for 229 yards and his one interception. The 24-year-old was pressured all night by the Patriots' defensive front-seven and was sacked four times.
The Rams' leading receiver was Brandin Cooks, who caught eight passes for 120 yards and was targeted 13 times.
While the receiving game struggled throughout the night, Los Angeles' reliable run game came up empty throughout the night. Todd Gurley finished the evening with just 35 yards on 10 carries, while C.J. Anderson could only muster 22 yards on seven carries.
Super Bowl LIV is set to take place on February 2, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.