Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore’s interception of Jared Goff effectively sealed the win for New England. Photo by Al Thompson

ATLANTA: The New England Patriots had just scored the first touchdown in Super Bowl LIII to go up 10-3 with 7:03 left to go in the fourth quarter of a game many thought was unwatchable it was so boring.

Suddenly, the NFC champion Los Angeles Rams’ anemic offense came to life after producing just 58 yards rushing, 95 yards passing and a total of three points after three quarters.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff started the most important drive of the game from his on 25-yard line with 7:00 left in the fourth quarter.

On the first play Goff looked good hitting wide receiver Brandin Cooks for a 19-yard gain and a first down at the Rams 44-yard line.

Three plays later he hit wide receiver Josh Reynolds to the left for 11 yards and a first down at the New England 44-yard line.

Goff then throws a strike to wide receiver Robert Woods for a 17-yard pick up and a first down at the New England 27-yard line with 5:01 left in the fourth quarter.

The Rams were rolling. The Mercedes- Benz Stadium crowd that had been sitting on its hands for much of the game was back into to it, the Patriots fans had borrowed the Boston Celtics historic chant they bestowed on the Sixers at the end of a game seven the Celtics were losing in the Eastern Conference finals in the early 80s.

“Beat L-A” could be heard throughout the stadium.

Would Goff pull it off? Would he score a touchdown and push the game into overtime?

After and incomplete pass intended for Cooks, Goff threw a desperation pass that was picked off by Patriots standout cornerback Stephon Gilmore that effectively ended the game.

The Patriots drove the field and Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 41-yard field goal to make the final score 13-3 giving the Patriots their sixth Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.

Gilmore said getting the interception that clinched a world championship was something he dreamed of as a kid.

“It’s a blessing,” Gilmore said after the game. “It’s something you dream about. It goes back to all the hard work you put in throughout the season, nobody believing in us, sticking together. No on knows hard we worked. It’s a great feeling.”

Gilmore was asked if the defensive effort the Patriots put on was a statement to those detractors who looked at the 41 points the Philadelphia Eagles scored on them last year in Super Bowl LII as the basis for their doubts.

“Each team is different,” Gilmore said, not warming to the question. “You never know how it’s going to go year-to-year. You’ve just got to trust each other. We just played a different team. They (the Eagles) have really good players…we just have to have faith in each other and do the best we can.”

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SUPER BOWL RECORDS SET IN SUPER BOWL LIII
Most Games – 9, Tom Brady
Most Games, Winning Team – 6, Tom Brady
Oldest Starting QB, Winning Team – 41, Tom Brady
Most Games, Head Coach – 9, Bill Belichick
Most Games, Winning Team, Head Coach – 6, Bill Belichick
Oldest Head Coach, Winning Team – 66, Bill Belichick
Most Passes, Career – 392, Tom Brady
Most Completions, Career – 256, Tom Brady
Most Passing Yards, Career – 2838, Tom Brady
Longest Punt – 65 yards, Johnny Hekker
Most Games, Team – 11, New England
Fewest Points, Game, Both Teams – 16, New England (13) vs. L.A.Rams (3)
Fewest Points, Game, Winning Team – 13, New England
Fewest Points Through 3 Quarters, Both Teams – 6, New England (3) vs. L.A.Rams (3)
Fewest Touchdowns, Game, Both Teams – 1, New England (1) vs. L.A.Rams (0)
Fewest PATs, Game, Both Teams – 1, New England (1) vs. L.A.Rams (0)
Fewest Kickoff Returns, Game, Both Teams – 2, New England (1) vs. L.A.Rams (1)
Most Consecutive Drives Ending With A Punt, Game, Team – 8, L.A.Rams
SUPER BOWL RECORDS TIED IN SUPER BOWL LIII
Most Field Goals, Career – 7, Stephen Gostkowski
Most Receptions, First Half – 7, Julian Edelman
Most Punt Returns, Career – 8, Julian Edelman
Most Games Won, Team – 6, New England
Fewest Points, Game, Team – 3, L.A.Rams
Fewest Touchdowns, Game, Team – 0, L.A.Rams
Most First Downs By Penalty, Game, Team – 4, New England
Fewest Touchdowns, Passing, Game, Both Teams – 0, New England vs. L.A.Rams
Fewest Fumbles Lost, Game, Both Teams – 0, New England vs. L.A.Rams