Super Bowl 53 was one for the history books, although that’s mostly because it’s hard for everyone to erase a Super Bowl from their memory. The New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams, 13-3, in a defensive slugfest that was a bit disappointing considering both of these squads had reputations for boasting high-powered offenses.
Still, no matter how it happened, it was an historic one for the Patriots, as their sixth Super Bowl victory tied the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most in NFL history. While he’s won the Lombardi Trophy in the past, this one ended up being a little extra special for New England receiver Julian Edelman, who was named Super Bowl MVP for the first time in his career.
In a game that was dominated by defenses and punters, Edelman was the one consistently reliable offensive player for either side. The clever Patriots wide receiver caught 10 balls for 141 yards, consistently finding space in the Rams defense and hauling in passes whenever Tom Brady looked his way.
.@SuperBowl LIII MVP: Julian @Edelman11!!! #SBLIII#EverythingWeGot pic.twitter.com/i4X81xZ2sx
— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2019
It’s the latest example of Edelman’s ability to serve as Brady’s safety net in the postseason, as he became the third player to ever have 10+ receptions and 140+ yards in a Super Bowl. The other two? Jerry Rice and former Patriot Deion Branch.
10+ catches, 140+ yards, in the #SuperBowl:
Jerry Rice, SB XXIII
Jerry Rice, SB XXIX
Deion Branch, SB XXXVIII
Julian Edelman, tonight— Pro Football Reference (@pfref) February 4, 2019
Edelman added to his legacy as an excellent postseason performer, moving ahead of Michael Irvin for the most 100-yard playoff games ever. The only guy ahead of him, of course, is Rice.
.@Edelman11 goes over 100 yards for the sixth time in his postseason career, tying Michael Irvin for the second-most 100-yard postseason games all-time (Jerry Rice, 8). pic.twitter.com/cC2O0Gm8ZP
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 4, 2019
The crazy thing is that Edelman didn’t have any especially memorable moments, certainly nothing like his reception against the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl a few years back. All he did was put forth a typical Julian Edelman postseason performance, and as such, he joins Lynn Swann, Fred Biletnikoff, Rice, Branch, Hines Ward, and Santonio Holmes as the only wide receivers to be named Super Bowl MVP.
