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The Patriots defense delivered a performance for the ages last night thanks to a game plan for the ages. Bill Belichick and de facto defensive coordinator Brian Flores orchestrated one of the greatest defensive performances in Super Bowl history.

Belichick and Flores shut down an offense that averaged 32.9 points per game and over 400 yards of offense per game. In many ways, it shouldn’t be surprise because aside from the second half of the AFC Championship game, this defense has been playing at elite level for two months now.

The Patriots put consistent pressure on Rams quarterback Jared Goff all night. They hurried him, hit him and harassed him. He looked uncomfortable and out of sync.

New England did it with pressure up the middle, specifically delayed pressure. Thanks to outstanding play by the secondary, Goff had to hold the ball longer and the pressure subsequently got home.

The Patriots also stopped one of the league most potent rushing attacks. The Rams averaged 139.4 yards rushing per game during the regular season. The Patriots held them to 62 yards rushing as a team in this game.

The way New England did it was simple. Penetration. They blew up gaps and didn’t give up cut back lanes. They never allowed Todd Gurley and C.J Anderson to square up to the line of scrimmage and get vertical.

I have seen many dominant defensive performances in the Super Bowl in my lifetime and this one ranks up there as one of the greatest defensive performances in the history of the game. A performance for the ages. It was a masterpiece on the game’s biggest stage.