The New England Patriots take on the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, February 3, 2019.
New England Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty, left, and his brother free safety Devin McCourty, right, faces reporters in the team's locker room following their arrival at Gillette Stadium, Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass., after defeating the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in NFL football Super Bowl 53, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
A New England Patriots fan, left, holds a replica trophy while cheering during the team's arrival at Gillette Stadium, Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in NFL Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty holds the Super Bowl trophy for fans following the football teams arrival at Gillette Stadium, Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass., after defeating the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in NFL Super Bowl 53, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty, left, holds the Super Bowl trophy as he greets fans following the football teams arrival at Gillette Stadium, Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass., after defeating the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in NFL Super Bowl 53, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty, right, greets fans following the football teams arrival at Gillette Stadium, Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass, after defeating the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in NFL Super Bowl 53, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center right, waves to fans following the football teams arrival at Gillette Stadium, Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass., after defeating the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in NFL Super Bowl 53, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, right, greets fans following the football teams arrival at Gillette Stadium, Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass., after defeating the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in NFL Super Bowl 53, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty, left, holds the Super Bowl trophy as he greets fans following the football team's arrival at Gillette Stadium, Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass, after defeating the Los Angeles Rams Sunday in NFL Super Bowl 53, in Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick answers questions at a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick answers questions at a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is reflected in the Lombardi trophy at a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick answers questions at a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick answers questions at a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Super Bowl LIII MVP New England Patriots' Julian Edelman answers questions during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Super Bowl LIII MVP New England Patriots' Julian Edelman poses during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Super Bowl LIII MVP New England Patriots' Julian Edelman answers questions during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Super Bowl LIII MVP New England Patriots' Julian Edelman poses during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Super Bowl LIII MVP New England Patriots' Julian Edelman and head coach Bill Belichick wait for the start of a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick answers a question during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick waits with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Super Bowl LIII MVP New England Patriots' Julian Edelman poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Super Bowl LIII MVP New England Patriots' Julian Edelman poses during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Super Bowl LIII MVP New England Patriots' Julian Edelman poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Super Bowl LIII MVP New England Patriots' Julian Edelman answers questions during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Super Bowl LIII MVP New England Patriots' Julian Edelman poses during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Atlanta: New England Patriots' Tom Brady holds the trophy and his daughter, Vivian, after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. AP/PTI Photo(AP242019_000008A)
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay walks off the field after losing to the New England Patriots during NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is seen with his granddaughter after defeating the Los Angeles Rams during NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots Julian Edelman #11 is seen with the Lombardi trophy after winning MVP against the Los Angeles Rams during NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is interviewed by Jim Nantz after defeating the Los Angeles Rams during NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay walks off the field after losing to the New England Patriots during NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots Julian Edelman #11 is seen with the Lombardi trophy after winning MVP against the Los Angeles Rams during NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots Julian Edelman #11 is seen with the Lombardi trophy after winning MVP against the Los Angeles Rams during NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady holds his daughter, Vivian, after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady holds his daughter, Vivian, after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New England Patriots' Julian Edelman, left, and Tom Brady celebrate after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. Edelman was named the Most Valuable Player.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick gets doused after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick gets doused after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) embraces Patriots owner Robert Kraft after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New England Patriots' Stephon Gilmore, right, intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams' Brandin Cooks (12) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots' Sony Michel dives for a touchdown during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New England Patriots' Stephon Gilmore, right, intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams' Brandin Cooks (12) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass in front of Los Angeles Rams' Marcus Peters (22) and Cory Littleton (58) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots' Kyle Van Noy (53) sacks Los Angeles Rams' Jared Goff (16) during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New England Patriots' Dont'a Hightower (54) hits Los Angeles Rams' Jared Goff, left, as he throws a pass during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Adam Levine of Maroon 5 performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Fireworks go off during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) and Joe Thuney (62) walk off the field during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New England Patriots' Dont'a Hightower, top, sacks Los Angeles Rams' Jared Goff (16) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady passes against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady, left, talks with head coach Bill Belichick during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
New England Patriots' Jason McCourty (30) breaks up pass intended Los Angeles Rams' Josh Reynolds (83), during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) looks to pass during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) runs against Los Angeles Rams' Nickell Robey-Coleman (23) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) works in the pocket against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Los Angeles Rams' Jared Goff (16) looks for a receiver under pressure from New England Patriots' Danny Shelton during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady passes against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline, during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Los Angeles Rams' Jared Goff (16) works under pressure from New England Patriots' Adrian Clayborn (94) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) works against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) hands the ball off to Rex Burkhead against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
A fan watches the national anthem before the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
New England Patriots' Julian Edelman (11) breaks away from Los Angeles Rams' Troy Hill, right, during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New England Patriots' Sony Michel (26) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams' Lamarcus Joyner (20) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Referee John Parry and players watch the coin toss before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New England Patriots take the field, bottom right, before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Tim Donnelly)
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the open roof of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Gladys Knight sings the national anthem before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Gladys Knight sings the national anthem before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
People walk on the field before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Chloe x Halle perform before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The dome opens up before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Actor Jamie Foxx, right, watches the teams warm up, before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, left, and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shakes hands before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Rams and the Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick tosses the ball, before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) throws before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady warms up before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New England Patriots' Julian Edelman (11) greets New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12), before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady blows a kiss, before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Referee John Parry, left, bumps fists with New England Patriots' Tom Brady before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Players warm up before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12), squints as he looks across the field before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) screams as he enters the stadium before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Lynne Stadky)
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) and Brian Hoyer (2) enter the field, before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New England Patriots' Julian Edelman warms up before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Patriots and Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Players warm ahead of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New England Patriots' Stephen Gostkowski (3) warms up before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks onto the field before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
UFC Champion Conner McGregor holds his son Conner McGregor Jr., as he walks on the field before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Los Angeles Rams' Johnny Hekker (6) and New England Patriots' Ryan Allen (6) warm up before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New England Patriots' Deatrich Wise Jr. warms up before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
New England Patriots stretch before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Tim Donnelly)
Fans walk around the upper sections of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
New England Patriots' Julian Edelman warms before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Patriots Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
ATLANTA -- Two of Tom Brady's longtime favorite targets – slot receiver Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski – were huge in landing the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII with massive catches on both the final drive of regulation and the only drive of overtime to dispatch the Chiefs in the AFC title game.
And while Brady himself got off to a bit of a sluggish start against the Wade Phillips-coached Rams defense Sunday night in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, his top two targets remained hot as essentially the only effective part of the Patriots offense.
Edelman and Gronkowski combined for 76 of New England's 122 total yards in the scoreless first quarter, hauling in five of Brady's six completions in the opening period.
All three of the Patriots drives in the first quarter got into L.A. territory, but none led to points. The first ended in a Cory Littleton interception after a deflection of Brady's first throw of the night. The second culminated in a missed 46-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski that sailed wide left. The third with a Ryan Allen punt from the Rams 40.
New England finally got on the board in the second quarter on a 42-yard field goal by Gostkowski, a seven-play scoring drive that included four combined catches by Edelman and Gronkowski.
Gronkowski did limp to the bench after a third-down catch that came up short of the sticks in the second quarter, appearing to favor his right knee in the bench area where he was looked at by trainers. But he returned to finish the half without missing any snaps.
Edelman finished the first half catching seven of the eight passes thrown his way for 93 yards. Gronkowski hauled four of the five passes thrown his way for 40 yards, the dynamic duo combing for 133 of Brady's 160 yards in a first half where points were at a premium despite the fact that New England held the ball for 19:52.
New England's passing attack was far from its generally efficient self. Brady had six combined throws toward Chris Hogan (4) and Sony Michel (2) resulting in zero catches, the one interception and a couple plays that simply didn't quite look right.
Despite a matchup between two of the four highest scoring offenses in football – the Rams were No. 2 in points during the regular season, the Patriots No. 4 – the teams went to halftime with New England holding a mere 3-0 advantage.
And really were only able to do that much offensively thanks to two guys – Edelman and Gronkowski.
The aging New England legends may have to continue to be counted on in the second half of Super Bowl LIII if Bill Belichick's team is going to pull away for its sixth Lombardi Trophy.
So far, Gronkowksi and Edelman have done their jobs. So has the New England defense that held the Jared Goff-paced Rams to a mere two first downs and 57 yards.
Now, it's up to the rest of the AFC champion Patriots to step up.
