A quarter-by-quarter breakdown of Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta:

First quarter: Patriots 0, Rams 0

• Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed a 46-yard field goal wide left with 5:35 remaining. It was the first field goal missed at Mercedes Benz Stadium after 31 consecutive makes.
• In three first-quarter possessions, the Rams totaled just 29 yards of offense, 17 by the pass and 12 by the rush. The had the ball for just 3:13.

Second quarter: Patriots 3, Rams 0

• Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski made up for his first-quarter miss with a 42-yard field goal with 10:29 remaining in the quarter for the first score of the game.
• The Rams punted on all six first-half possessions and managed just two first downs.
• It was the second-lowest scoring first half in Super bowl history.

Third quarter: Patriots 3, Rams 3

• The Rams finally got on the scoreboard on their ninth possession. Kicker Greg Zuerlein connected on a 53-yard field goal with 4:22 remaining in the quarter. The kick came after quarterback Jared Goff was sacked for a nine-yard loss.

Fourth quarter: Patriots 13, Rams 3

Patriots running back Sony Michel scored on a two-yard run with 7:03 remaining. The scored capped a five-play, 69-yard drive. Tom Brady completed four passes to set up the score, the biggest a 29-yard completion to Rob Gronkowski.
• The Rams had a potential game-tying drive halted on the Patriots' 4-yard line with 4:24 remaining when Jared Goff was intercepted by the Stephon Gilmore. 
• Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski sealed the win with a 41-yard field goal with 1:16 remaining.

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Former Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Norman Arey died Oct. 11, 2025 at the age of 84. In addition to sports writing, Arey also co-wrote the popular "Peach Buzz" society column. (Courtesy of the Arey family)

Credit: Courtesy of the Arey family

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Corbin Spencer, right, field director of New Georgia Project and volunteer Rodney King, left, help Rueke Uyunwa register to vote. The influential group is shutting down after more than a decade. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2017)

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