Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
In arguably the most improbable comeback of all time, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots hoisted their h Lombardi Trophy on Super Bowl Sunday.
For most of the game, Atlanta’s defense looked too fast and athletic for New England’s sluggish offense. Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ offense seemed unstoppable. Roughly halfway through the third quarter, with New England trailing 28-3 and facing fourth down on their own side of the field, ESPN’s simulator gave the Patriots a 0.3 percent chance of victory. Brady found wideout Danny Amendola for a first down, and the Patriots never looked back. A pair of late touchdowns and two point conversions by Amendola and running back James White tied the game at 28.
When the game went to overtime, New England’s offense simply wore out an exhausted Atlanta defense. The Patriots marched down the field in the first overtime in Super Bowl history. James White won the game with a two yard touchdown run, a fitting end for the former Wisconsin running back’s unbelievable night.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The Atlanta Falcons, seeking their first Super Bowl in franchise history, lost in a historic collapse. The previous record for the largest comeback in Super Bowl history was 10 points. At the third quarter, Atlanta led by an incredible 25 points. However, Atlanta’s offense, top in the NFL and led by superstars Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman, had an extremely uncharacteristic five punts and one fumble in their final 6 drives of the season. The Falcon’s defense, which had shut down New England in the first half, gave up 31 unanswered points in the second half and overtime.
Critics will look to head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan (soon to be head coach of the 49ers) for some questionable play calling and an inability to adjust against New England.
Super Bowl LI was a once in a lifetime game, complete with a series of unbelievable plays to compliment an unprecedented comeback. Robert Alford’s interception return for a touchdown put Atlanta up 21-0 and seemed to doom New England’s chances. Up by eight points with four minutes to play, a phenomenal leaping grab by Falcon’s receiver Julio Jones put Atlanta in field goal range and appeared to seal a Falcon’s victory. However, New England defensive standouts Dont’a Hightower and Trey Flowers made huge plays, forcing a fumble and sacking Matt Ryan out of field goal range respectively. Patriots receiver Julian Edelman had a catch for the ages on the Patriots’ final comeback drive, diving and snagging a deflected ball off a defender’s ankle with three Falcons players draped all over him.
Super Bowl LI broke or tied 30 Super Bowl
records, including quarterback Tom Brady’s record setting 466 passing yards that led to his historic h Super Bowl victory and fourth Super Bowl MVP. Simply put, Super Bowl LI will be remembered as one of the greatest sporting events of all time.
