Bill Belichick After Super Bowl LIII: “We Used Detroit Lions’ Tactics”

For the sixth time in their joint history, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick won the Super Bowl! The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3, and once again proved that they are one of the biggest teams in the history of the professional football.

Opposite to what everybody believed, the Super Bowl LIII was the most inefficient one ever. There were no pacey drives, no long passes, or some gunfights between Goff and Brady as most believed to see.

Just plain old defense.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1092283989010726913

That was also Tom Brady’s opinion, saying that his teammates from the defense, played the very best game of the whole season.

“Finally got a touchdown and the defense played the best game of the year,” Brady said.

He didn’t throw for a single touchdown pass, which is something very uncharacteristic for him, having an interception, along with 262 yards, and completing 21 of his 35 passes.

But still, the biggest play of the game was his product. With exactly seven minutes before the end, he tossed a 29-yard pass to his favorite target, Rob Gronkowski, who reached the two-yard line. After that, it was a piece of cake for rookie Sony Michel to carry the ball into the end zone.

In maybe his final game ever as a Patriot, Gronkowski showed us that he’s one of the most dominant forces in the NFL once again. https://t.co/Jj512bG3kj

— Young Boston™ (@YoungBostonTM) February 4, 2019

Coach Belichick explained after the game, that he planned to slow down Rams’ attack, by not allowing them their super-explosive plays on first and second downs, something which was their biggest weapons throughout the whole year.

Instead, he focused on forcing Goff and the boys to have as much as possible third downs and hope to clear them off the field afterward. And he did it, LA was 3-13 on third downs.

The role model for such defensive tactics was the Detroit Lions’ game against the Rams. And you know who runs the show there. His former defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia

“We had to put something together which would neutralize their running game, and their big-play play action passes on early downs. That’s where they killed people all year.” one of the greatest coaches in the history of this sport said in the on-court interview after the celebration. “Make them drive it, make them earn it, similar to what the Lions did to them”

Sean McVay’s running game was completely out. Todd Gurley, CJ Anderson and Robert Woods combined for only 62 yards in this match.

For example, Michel had 94 on the same number of carries, 18. It is something which just a few expected, having in mind the recent form of the two Rams’ running backs.

In the passing part of the offense, Julian Edelman, who became the MVP of the Super Bowl, and Brandin Cooks the former Patriot, had a clash of their own. Edelman had 141 yards in 10 catches, while his rival on the other end had 120, but from 8 possessions.

Brady was thrilled with his teammate during the post-game press conference.

“So proud of him what he accomplished, coming back from his ACL, and he just fought it out, grind it out like everyone else.” legendary QB said.

It was only the seventh wide receiver in the history of the Super Bowl to win the MVP award and the fourth offensive player to earn that honor, without scoring a touchdown.

It wouldn’t be fair not to mention Sony Michele, whose rushes pretty much opened Rams’ defense on certain possessions. The 23-year old was terrorizing the opponents, throughout the whole game, leaving the DOPY, Aaron Donald helpless multiple time.

Michel ready for takeoff 🛫 @Flyguy2stackz #SBLIII pic.twitter.com/XYcXA2HGPw

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) February 4, 2019

Tonight’s score was his sixth in this playoff run, averaging 112 rushing yards per game. The Patriots hit the jackpot with this guy, who is going to have a bright future no doubt about it.

On the other side, Jared Goff was solid, and he too had one interception as Brady. Rams’ QB completed 19 of his 38 passes, for 229 yards, but was sacked four times, losing 31 yards. His inexperience, as well as the team’s in general, was the primary weakness which Belichick used.

But they too have a bright future, if they continue to play like this. With Goff, Gurnley, Donald, around there will be more chances to come in the future to win at least one ring.