Punt after Punt for both the Falcons and the Patriots left the 1st Quarter scoreless.
The Falcons then went on a 21-0 run and dug a 25-point hole for the Patriots to be ahead 28-3 in the 3rd. The Patriots answered with a Touchdown but missed the Field Goal (FG) kick to reach 9-28.
The Patriots went on a roll in the 4th and although they were unable to make it to the endzone, they got the score to 12-28, never quit and went after each play.
I think the turning point of the game was a rookie mistake by Falcons’ QB Matt Ryan and their coach not to run the ball when they were in FG range that led to a fumble and him getting sacked. They missed the chance of a 3-point cushion that would have sealed the deal for them. The Patriots already have the record for the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history versus the Seahawks, where Falcon’s Head Coach, Dan Quinn was on Seahaeks’ coaching staff and the Seahawks lost after they did not run the ball. Quinn clearly did not learn his lesson. So now the Patriots had a chance to tie the game with a Touchdown and run for 2 which they achieved.
Another highlight and defining moment was the Patriots’ Julian Edelman’s catch off a defender’s shoe. He had been double teamed by defenders all night and was surrounded by 3 defenders for that play and was finally able to make a spectacular catch. That definitely pumped up their esteem and deflated that of the Falcons.
Then of course, Tom Brady went on a roll. After underthrowing then overthrowing the ball all night, he finally got his mojo back after erasing a 25-point deficit. Which star QB wouldn’t?! Â The game was now tied at 28-28 with 57s left in the final quarter after a 19-0 run.
Falcons failed to reach FG range and for the first time in Super Bowl history, the game would go into Overtime (OT).
Patriots had the option to choose first and won the coin toss. The current OT rules give both teams the opportunity to possess the ball at least once in OT unless the team that receives the OT kickoff scores a touchdown on its first possession.
So, if the team that received the OT kickoff, which would be the Patriots scored on its first possession, they would the winner.
Brady’s pass to James White created a 2 yard TD run in OT and just like that the Patriots won 34-28, the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.
James White scored 3 TDs and a 2-pointer. Tom Brady scored a record 466 yards, 2 TDs and got his 5th ring and Bill Belichick is now the 1st Coach with 5 Super Bowl Crowns.
Well done Patriots. Well done. A win well deserved. Congrats to Tom Brady, Belichick and the Patriots!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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