Tom Brady looked mortal for most of Super Bowl LIII. In fact, he was decidedly ordinary; up until late in the fourth quarter, the most accomplished quarterback in National Football League history could not overcome a well-prepared Rams defense designed to thwart the same air attack that enabled the Patriots to put up record numbers en route to yesterday’s affair. And then something happened: He happened. As with his other appearances in the Big Game, he delivered when his best was most needed and ultimately finished with yet another victory.
Ironically, the Patriots appeared on their way to losing a fourth Super Bowl in the Bill Belichick era right before Brady displayed his expected sharpness. For all their seeming control of play time, the Rams kept pace with outstanding coverage and actually held a 58.9% chance of prevailing based on advanced metrics while in the midst of the first drive of the payoff period. Their defense held tough, though, setting the stage for Brady’s heroics. Given the stakes involved and all the drama that unfolded in the run-up to the fateful drive, his exertions were, perhaps, to be expected.
Indeed, Brady took all of four passes from the New England 31 to set up a two-yard touchdown by running back Sony Michel. And, under the circumstances, it was but fitting that he started and ended his performance with 18- and 29-yard zingers to familiar target Rob Gronkowski. Forget that he was hitherto below par; with the Rams having threatened in the immediate past drive, he bucked down to work and didn’t miss. His arm had been off and iffy at best; his very first throw of the set-to led to an interception. No matter. He proved golden in the crunch.
In retrospect, Brady won’t be including Super Bowl LIII among his finest work. That said, he won’t be forgetting it, either. After all, he’s 41 and likely on the downside of his career, and yet he remains on top of the world — without fear, and, most importantly, without peer under pressure. His partnership with head coach Belichick, which fortified when they won their first Super Bowl together against the very same opponents on the very same day 17 years ago, is unparalleled in all of organized sports. In affirming the obvious, Patriots owner Robert Kraft called one and the other “definitely the greatest player of all time, not just quarterback” and “the GOAT of coaches … And no one can dispute it.” Enough said.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.
