Super Bowl LIII Artifacts on Display

The Patriots Hall of Fame presented by Raytheon is now displaying game-used artifacts from the Patriots 2018 Playoff run. Including the 41-28 Divisional Playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the 37-31 AFC Championship overtime win against the Kansas City Chiefs and the 13-3 Super Bowl LIII win against the Los Angeles Rams.

Super Bowl LIII Artifacts

Super Bowl LIII was a coaching and defensive execution masterpiece. From play calling to personnel, Bill Belichick, Brian Flores and the defense were nearly perfect with their game plan and execution. The defense held the high scoring Rams to just three points, 260 offensive yards and 3-for-13 (23%) on third down. The Hall is now displaying the Bose headsets worn by Belichick and Flores in a historic defensive performance.

Kyle Van Noy led that ferocious defense that shut down one of the NFL’s  top offenses. In Super Bowl LIII, Van Noy totaled 3 tackles, a 14-yard sack, 3 quarterback hits and a tackle for a loss that helped hold the Rams to just three points. Van Noy’s white Nike gloves are displayed to represent his performance.

The Patriots defensive line, headed by Trey Flowers, shut down the running attack and disrupted the Rams passing game. Flowers finished with 3 tackles, 2 quarterback hits and one tackle for a loss in helping hold the Rams to 62 rushing yards on the day. His cleats, still sporting championship confetti, are on display.

On the other side of the ball, Rob Gronkowski continued to be a Super Bowl work horse for Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. His 6 receptions for 87 yards proved to be crucial in the win. Gronkowski’s 29-yard, fourth-quarter diving catch set up the game’s only touchdown and his third down conversion in the fourth essentially sealed the win for the Patriots. The gloves and cleats he wore from Super Bowl LIII are now on display.

Rookie running back Sony Michel had an incredible rookie playoff campaign. With his rushing touchdown in the Super Bowl, Michel extended his NFL record for most rushing touchdowns by a rookie in a single postseason (6). The Hall is now displaying his gloves from his championship winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIII.

 

AFC Championship Game Artifacts

Multiple veterans on the team reached milestones together with their appearances in the AFC Championship game. In his 11th year with the Patriots, Matthew Slater played in his 8th consecutive AFC Championship game. Most notable for his “Heads” call which won the overtime coin toss, Slater has been one of the best special teams players in all of football throughout his career. Slater was also joined, for the 8th straight year, by 9 year Patriot Devin McCourty. He locked down the Chiefs passing game from his safety position, helping to hold Tyreek Hill to just 1 reception for 42 yards. The most tenured Patriot besides Brady is 13-year veteran kicker Stephen Gostkowski. He also played in his 8th consecutive AFC Championship game and made his 6th Super Bowl appearance, which is tied for second most all-time with Mike Lodish.

All three of their jerseys are on display to represent the amazing milestones and accomplishments from the 2018 Patriots playoff season.

AFC Divisional Game Artifacts

Tom Brady set a new (and another) NFL Playoff record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception. With 44 attempts vs. LA, Brady finished the Divisional Playoff game with 228 consecutive postseason pass attempts without throwing an interception dating back to Super Bowl LI in 2017. Brady completed 34-of-44 passes in the game for 343 yards and a touchdown.

He broke the record previously held by Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who threw 226 playoff passes without an interception between 2007 and 2012. Brady’s navy blue home jersey from the win is on display. His streak came to an end in the Championship game against Kansas City when he threw a 2nd quarter interception in the end zone. Brady’s record stands at 235 consecutive playoff passes without an interception.

Julian Edelman’s big day against the Chargers is also being celebrated at The Hall. Edelman caught nine passes for a postseason career high 151 yards in the win over LA. His nine receptions moved him past Reggie Wayne (93) into second place for all-time postseason receptions with 98 behind only Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (151). It was also Edelman’s fifth playoff game with 100-plus receiving yards. Only Rice (8) and Michael Irvin (6) have more 100-yard postseason games. Edelman’s game-worn jersey is on display from his performance against the Chargers.

Rookie running back Sony Michel’s game-worn jersey from the Divisional round is also hanging in The Hall. Michel had a spectacular playoff debut when he rushed 24 times for 129 yards and three first-half touchdowns against the Chargers. He became the first Patriots rookie to eclipse 100 rushing yards in a playoff game and the 10^th Patriots running back ever to do so. His 129 rushing yards was the fifth best rushing performance in Patriots playoff history.  He also became the first Patriots rookie to score multiple touchdowns in a playoff game. Robert Edwards was the only other rookie to score a postseason touchdown back in 1998. Michel continued his ground attack with 113 yards of rushing and 2 touchdowns against the Chiefs, putting his playoff totals at 240 yards and 5 TDs going into SB LIII.