The Five Most Important Plays of Super Bowl LIII
I’ve already written plenty about the majesty of Super Bowl LIII (I’ve podcasted about it, too!). But I couldn’t help, but write about it again. It’s just so awesome! This one’s just going to be a quick piece where I rank the five most important plays of the game, at least from the Patriots end.
- Jason McCourty saves a touchdown
Late in the third quarter, a deep thirty yard pass from Jared Goff was sailing to a wide open Brandin Cooks and Jason McCourty took it upon himself to stretch the length of the field to catch up with Cooks and break up the pass. Not only was it impressive athletically, it was crucial for the game plan as the Rams were eventually forced to settle for a field goal. Thank you, Jason McCourty!
2. Rob Gronkowski hauls in the clutch reception
Midway through the fourth quarter on second and three, Tom Brady heaved a ball all the way to the goal line to find Rob Gronkowski covered by two defenders. Fortunately, the ball was placed perfectly after a clutch catch from Julian Edelman and Gronk dove to bring the Patriots into the red zone for the first and only time in the game, setting up the scoring attempt! Gronk looked like old times out there!
3. Sony Michel’s touchdown
Obviously, the lone touchdown of the game has to be here, especially since the Patriots clung to that seven point lead for the majority of their stretch run in the fourth quarter. Leave it to the rookie to be the only one with the touchdown, too! It took Michel one play to dash the two yards into the end zone like he was shot out of the cannon and it was glorious for all Patriots fans.
4. Stephon Gilmore’s interception
I realize now I’m basically just repeating my other piece, but who cares? The Patriots won the Super Bowl! Let’s party! Let’s have fun! Let’s write about it! But yes, Gilmore’s pick was perfectly timed and it was almost too easy to get Goff at that point in the game. He was due and the league’s best cornerback capitalized to essentially clinch the win!
5. Jonathan Jones sacks Goff
Early in the fourth quarter, the Rams started to get some momentum going and Patriots fans all collectively held their breaths. A Todd Gurley first down (with ease) was the last thing any Patriot wanted to see. But fortunately, a penalty brought the play back to first and twenty and then Jonathan Jones, the game’s leading tackler, crushed all the momentum with a devastating sack of Goff. There were a number of great sacks in the game, namely from Dont’a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy, but Jones’ was the most pivotal.
Honorable Mention: Stephen Gostkowski’s field goals and Ryan Allen’s punts
It’s too easy to overlook the special teams in a football game that was dominated by defenses from two high powered, yet faltering offenses. But I want to celebrate the Patriots’ clutch kicker and punter. They don’t win this game without Gostkowski’s six points and Allen’s deep kicks.
The Patriots are reigning Super Bowl champions and the Red Sox are reigning World Series champions! That’s not really relevant, but man, I just love saying it!
