NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (11-5) vs. LOS ANGELES RAMS (13-3)
Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. ET. Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Approx. 70,000)
The New England Patriots advanced to their 11th Super Bowl in franchise history, the ninth of the Bill Belichick era and third consecutive since the 2016 season. New England joins Buffalo (4) and Miami (3) as the only teams to reach three straight Super Bowls.
New England has a chance to tie the Pittsburgh Steelers with a sixth Super Bowl, most in NFL history. In addition, a win in Super Bowl LIII will break a tie with Pittsburgh and give the Patriots the most postseason victories with 37.
The Patriots will face the Rams in a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI, 17 years to the day after New England defeated the then St. Louis Rams with a field goal as time expired, giving the Patriots their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.
PATRIOTS IN THE SUPER BOWL
The New England Patriots are 5-5 in the Super Bowl and will join Buffalo (4) and Miami (3) as the only teams to play in three straight Super Bowls.
SERIES HISTORY
The New England Patriots will square off against the Los Angeles Rams for the second time in the Super Bowl. The two teams met in Super Bowl XXXVI following the 2001 season, a 20-17 New England win.
New England scored one of the greatest victories in franchise history when it defeated the heavily favored Rams for the NFL championship on Feb. 3, 2002, in Super Bowl XXXVI. That victory followed a tight game in the 2001 regular season that ended in a 24-17 St. Louis victory at Foxboro Stadium. This year’s Super Bowl matchup will occur 17 years to the day since Super Bowl XXXVI.
The franchise moved to St. Louis from Los Angleles following the 1994 season before returning to Southern California in 2017.
The Patriots beat the Rams, 26-10, at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 4, 2016, in the most recent meeting between the two clubs. Including Super Bowl XXXVI, the Patriots have won the last five contests.
Overall, the Patriots lead the series by a 8-5 margin, including the Super Bowl matchup.
The series dates back to 1974, when the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams by a 20-14 score at what was then Schaefer Stadium.
SERIES BREAKDOWN
Overall Record, 8-5
- Home Record, 3-3
- Gillette Stadium, 3-0
- Schaefer/Sullivan/Foxboro Stadium, 1-3
Road Record, 4-2
- Anaheim Stadium, 2-1
- Trans World/Edward Jones Dome, 1-1
- Wembley Stadium, 1-0
- Neutral Site Record (at Louisiana Superdome), 1-0
Total Points: Patriots 294, Rams 232
Longest winning streak: 5 games
Longest losing streak: 4 games (12/24/89 – 11/18/01)
Bill Belichick vs. St. Louis/L.A: 5-2 (5-1 with New England)
TALE OF THE TAPE
| 2018 Regular Season | New England | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 11-5 | 13-3 |
| Divisional Standings | 1st | 1st |
| Total Yards Gained | 6,295 | 6,738 |
| Total Offense (Rank) | 393.4 (5) | 421.1 (2) |
| Rush Offense | 127.3 (5) | 139.4 (3) |
| Pass Offense | 266.1 (8) | 281.7 (5) |
| Points Per Game | 27.3 (4) | 32.9 (2) |
| Touchdowns Scored | 51 | 60 |
| Third Down Conversion Pct. | 40.8 | 45.0 |
| Team Passer Rating | 97.8 | 100.7 |
| Total Yards Allowed | 5,746 | 5,737 |
| Total Defense (Rank) | 359.1 (21) | 358.6 (19) |
| Rush Defense | 112.7 (11) | 122.3 (23) |
| Pass Defense | 246.4 (22) | 236.3 (14) |
| Points Allowed/Game | 20.3 (7) | 24.0 (20) |
| Touchdowns Allowed | 36 | 44 |
| Third Down Defense (Pct.) | 38.6 | 37.2 |
| Field Goals Made/Attempted | 27/32 | 34/41 |
| Possession Avg. | 31:05 | 30:42 |
| Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost | 21/147 | 33/223 |
| Sacks Made/Yards | 30/238 | 41/326 |
| Passing TD/Int. (Off.) | 29/11 | 32/12 |
| Passing TD/Int. (Def.) | 29/18 | 31/18 |
| Penalties Against/Yards | 93/744 | 96/878 |
| Punts/Avg. | 64/45.1 | 43/46.3 |
| Takeaway/Giveaway Ratio | +10 (5) | +11 (4) |
SUPER BOWL REMATCH
Super Bowl LIII between the Patriots and Rams will mark the seventh Super Bowl rematch in NFL history. It will also be the third time that the Patriots will be involved in a Super Bowl rematch after facing the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles in two Super Bowls. Dallas is the only other NFL team with two different Super Bowl rematches.
IF THE PATRIOTS WIN…
- The New England Patriots will tie the Pittsburgh Steelers (6) for most Super Bowl wins in NFL history. They are currently tied with Dallas (5) and San Francisco (5) with five Super Bowl wins.
- The Patriots will improve to 6-5 in the Super Bowl in franchise history and 6-3 in the Belichick-Brady era (since 2001).
- The Patriots will earn their 37th postseason win in franchise history, breaking a tie with Pittsburgh for the most postseason wins all-time.
- The Patriots will extend their own NFL record for most postseason wins in a decade to 16. The Patriots set the new record with their 15th win of the decade in the AFC Championship Game. Before that, the record was held by New England (2000s), Dallas (1970s) and Pittsburgh (1970s) with 14 postseason wins in a decade.
- Robert Kraft will win his sixth Super Bowl since he purchased the team in 1994, twice more than any other owner during the same 25-year span. Denver’s Pat Bowlen is second with three.
- Bill Belichick will join George Halas and Curly Lambeau as the only coaches with six NFL titles. He is currently one of four NFL head coaches to win five or more championships since the league began postseason play in 1933, but the only one to win five Super Bowls.
- Tom Brady will win his sixth Super Bowl, becoming the first player in NFL history to reach that mark. He is currently tied with Hall of Fame DL Charles Haley as the only other NFL player with five Super Bowl wins.
- Tom Brady will earn his 237th career victory overall, passing Adam Vinatieri for most wins of any player in NFL history.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR…
- Super Bowl LIII will mark the Patriots 11th Super Bowl appearance, extending their own record for most in NFL history.
- By advancing to Super Bowl LIII, the Patriots join Miami (3) and Buffalo (4) as the only teams to reach three consecutive Super Bowls.
- Super Bowl LIII is the seventh Super Bowl rematch in NFL history, and the Patriots will become the first team in NFL history to play in three Super Bowl rematches. The Patriots and Rams first met in Super Bowl XXXVI. The Patriots have also faced the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles in two Super Bowls. Dallas is the only other NFL team with two different Super Bowl rematches.
- The Patriots will play in their 57th playoff game in franchise history in Super Bowl LIII, passing Green Bay for third-most postseason games in NFL history.
- Tom Brady will appear in his ninth Super Bowl, the most of any player in NFL history.
- Tom Brady is the all-time leader in Super Bowl passing yards (2,576), completions (235), pass attempts (357), touchdowns (18) and starts (8).