Super Bowl LIII

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Lore & Background

The Patriots' victory was their sixth, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl championships. New England advanced to their 11th Super Bowl appearance, their third in a row, and their ninth under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. The Rams finished the regular season with a 13–3 record under head coach Sean McVay, the youngest head coach in the Super Bowl at 33. The two franchises previously met in Super Bowl XXXVI. Super Bowl LIII was the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in NFL history. The game marked the first Super Bowl in which neither team had a touchdown through the first three quarters. In the final quarter, New England scored 10 unanswered points, including the game's only touchdown by running back Sony Michel. Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, who caught 10 passes for 141 yards, was named Super Bowl MVP. Brady and Belichick became the oldest starting quarterback and head coach to win the Super Bowl at 41 and 66, respectively. It marked the final Super Bowl of the Brady-Belichick dynasty, as Brady departed New England after the 2019 season. Belichick stepped down after the 2023 season, and New England returned to the Super Bowl in Super Bowl LX in the 2025 season, led by head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium was thick with anticipation yet strangely quiet between plays. Every snap echoed as both defenses dominated, holding the Rams' high-powered offense scoreless for three quarters. On the sideline, Bill Belichick watched as the scoreboard remained tied at 3–3 late in the game. The Patriots had advanced to their 11th Super Bowl appearance, their third in a row, but the path forward was narrow. Tom Brady walked to the huddle, his voice calm amidst the defensive grind. He directed Julian Edelman, who had returned from a torn ACL and a four-game suspension that season. In the fourth quarter, New England finally broke through. The offense methodically drove down the field before handing off to rookie Sony Michel, who powered into the end zone for the game's only touchdown. This single score proved sufficient as the defense held firm against the Rams' attempts to answer. The final whistle confirmed a 13–3 victory, ending the Brady-Belichick dynasty in New England as Brady departed after the season.

Reader's Guide

The game was broadcast on CBS, with the halftime show headlined by American pop group Maroon 5. The Super Bowl Experience was held at the Georgia World Congress Center. State Farm Arena hosted Super Bowl Opening Night and the inaugural Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest. The NFL officially launched its centennial commemorations at Super Bowl LIII.

Did You Know?

• Super Bowl LIII was the first Super Bowl played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
• The Patriots' one touchdown tied them with the New York Jets in Super Bowl III for the fewest by a winning Super Bowl team.
• The Rams became the second Super Bowl team to not score a touchdown after the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI.
• Brady was the first starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl in his 40s.