Super Bowl LIII Not So Super

By Joe Leo

OPINION: Making it through Super Bowl LIII was the workings of a modern sports miracle. A game sold as two opposing giants who were supposed to the two best teams in the league were mediocre and showcased one the worst played Super Bowl in history. For three quarters, the highlights of a game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots consisted of the longest punt in Super Bowl history and two field goals. Exhilarating, right?

New England drained most of the clock, methodically went down the field and punched it in for the go-ahead touchdown. Gronkowski did the same thing two weeks prior in Kansas City in almost exact fashion, making a miraculous catch, and setting up the game-tying touchdown. Gronkowski caught the ball again Sunday, which lead to the difference in the biggest game of the year.

Unlike mostly defensive Super Bowls played in the past, Super Bowl LIII lagged on. Fans of the New England Patriots not fast asleep from all of the chicken wings and lackluster entertainment ended up celebrating a championship. Everyone else? They were likely too busy celebrating the end of the game.

More about the sustainability of the Patriots dynasty and less about the Los Angeles Rams falling short, the game made Brady and Belechick looked timeless. Goff, Gurley, and McVay looked like they weren’t even remotely ready to play on that type of stage. The little drive seen in the game was highlighted by a Rob Gronkowski catch which made him look like he was the tight-end from five years ago that dominated defenses and not the shell that he was this season.