Patriots Take 3-0 Halftime Lead in Defense-Heavy Super Bowl, Reports Reuters

By Rory Carroll

ATLANTA (Reuters) – Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski successfully made a 42-yard field goal, while the highly regarded Los Angeles Rams offense was unable to score, resulting in New England taking a 3-0 lead into halftime at the Super Bowl held in Atlanta.

Gostkowski’s field goal partially redeemed an earlier miss from 46 yards at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which kept its retractable roof closed for the match.

The Patriots demonstrated strong control over possession with several promising drives, but critical mistakes prevented them from reaching the end zone. Quarterback Tom Brady threw an interception during the opening drive and ended another drive with an incompletion on a fourth down late in the second quarter.

The Rams will receive the ball to start the second half.