Super Bowl Recap: Patriots Win
Absolutely ridiculous game. From start to finish, this game was full of twists and turns. Its no secret that the Patriots pulled the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history- but what led up to it and how exactly did the Falcons fall so hard?
The first quarter of the game left the teams at a 0-0 tie, not what we all expected of a game featuring the two best offenses in the league. Each team had a couple of drives and couldn't get anything going, short of a few good runs by Devonta Freeman. Once the second quarter started, the Falcons were off to the races. After a fumble by Blount early in the second, Atlanta marched down the field toward a 7-0 lead. A quick Pats punt gave them the ball back, where they converted to go up 14-0 and started to make Pats nation sweat a bit.
The game started spiraling out of control after a Brady pick-six with about 2 and a half minutes left on the clock. Atlanta was up 21-0 and looked like they were going to run away with the game, even after the Patriots added a field goal to end the half down 21-3.
As the third quarter started, it was more of the same. The Patriots got a nice stop out of the half, but couldn't convert it into points. Atlanta took the ball into Pats territory 5 minutes into the quarter and punched it in, making it 28-3, and the route was on.
(or so they thought)
Down by 25 late in the third quarter, Pats nation knew they were about as done as you can be, without actually being done. A James White touchdown late in the third cut the gap to 28-9, as they missed the extra point. Another defensive stop gave them the ball back, but they were unable to put the ball in the end zone and kicked a field goal, making it 28-12 with 12 minutes left in the game.
Shockingly, at this point, it was technically only a two possession game. The Pats would need 2 touchdowns and two 2 point conversions, which is a lot to ask for, but it was still within reach.
The game turned on a 3rd and 1 strip sack. Donta Hightower rocked the MVP, giving the Pats a short field and a glimmer of hope. Tom Brady took full advantage, throwing a TD pass to Danny Amendola and faking out the entire city of Atlanta on the two point conversion, bringing this game to 28-20. It was possible. Atlanta then went on to make an Eli-Tyree, Eli-Mario, or Russel-Kearse type play with Ryan making an unbelievable throw to Julio Jones, who made an unbelievable catch deep inside Patriots territory. It looked like Atlanta was finally going to put New England to bed, until a string of sacks and penalties moved them out of field goal range and forced a punt. Uh-oh.
Brady took the ball inside his 10 and went on to orchestrate the greatest drive in Super Bowl history. He led the Patriots all the way into the end zone, with help from one of the greatest, most unbelievable catches in history by Julian Edelman. The Pats got into the end zone and converted for two, tying the game at 28 and shocking the nation.
When the OT coin flipped in New England's favor, the game was essentially over. The Falcons defense had been on the field for way too long (they played over 40 more snaps than the Pats defense did), and they were gassed. Brady took the Pats down the field on a methodical, surgical drive. On second and goal, James White took a pitch and dove for the goal line, completing and unreal game and giving the Pats their fifth Super Bowl win, 34-28.
Quick Hits and Stats
Game MVP: Tom Brady
Super Bowl records tied or broken by the Patriots: 27
Falcons Highest Win Probability according to ESPN: 99.6%
Attendance: 70,807
Tom Brady: 43/62, 466 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Matt Ryan: 17/23, 284 yards, 2 TD
James White: 6 car, 29 yards, 2 TD; 14 rec, 110 yards, 1 TD
Devonta Freeman: 11 car, 75 yards, 1 TD; 2 rec, 46 yards
Danny Amendola: 8 rec, 78 yards, 1 TD
Julio Jones: 4 rec, 87 yards
Trey Flowers: 6 tot, 2.5 sacks
Grady Jarret: 5 tot, 3 sacks