US: Patriots win sixth Super Bowl title

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - The New England Patriots overcame a defensive battle Sunday to beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 to win a sixth title in Super Bowl LIII.

New England had a slow start to the NFL championship game as veteran quarterback Tom Brady threw an interception and kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed a 46-yard field goal to end the first quarter scoreless in Atlanta, Georgia.

A 42-yard field goal by Gostkowski in the second quarter gave the Patriots a 3-0 lead at halftime and was the first shutout for the Rams under the two-year head coach Sean McVay.

The total of three points was also the fewest points in a championship game since Super Bowl IX where two points were scored in January 1975.

The last time a Super Bowl game's first half ended without a touchdown was also in Atlanta during Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000.

In the third quarter, the Rams answered with a 53-yard field goal to tie the game 3-3, but both teams failed to score a touchdown.

The matchup was the first Super Bowl game without a touchdown in the first three quarters, while the combined six points was also the lowest.

The first touchdown of the game came seven minutes left in regulation when Patriots' rookie running back Sony Michel drove for his sixth post-season touchdown -- a record for a rookie in the NFL -- and gave his team a 10-3 lead.

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore made a crucial interception with 4:17 left in the game, and Gostkowski made a 41-yard field goal with 1:16 remaining to extend New England's lead to 13-3.

The victory gave the Patriots their sixth title in the last 18 seasons and third in the last five years.

After receiving the Vince Lombardi trophy, Patriots owner Robert Kraft said the record is "Truly an unprecedented accomplishment", and pointed to head coach Bill Belichick and 41-year-old Brady.

"It's all about the players. These guys work hard all year and they played like champions...Everyone counted us out, but we are here," Belichick said.

The Patriots have the most post-season wins with 37 games in the NFL with Brady reaching his 30th. The organization also tied the Pittsburgh Steelers with six titles.

"What a game. So proud of our team," Brady said, and thanked fans in the stands.

Wide receiver Julian Edelman, who had 10 receptions for 141 yards, was selected the most valuable player of the game.

"It was a crazy year. We have a resilient bunch of guys," Edelman said.