February 5th, 2017. Many consider this day to be the greatest Superbowl and greatest Superbowl comeback of all time. As a die-hard Patriots fan, I would have to agree.
Heading into the Superbowl, the New England Patriots were coming off a great season of 14 wins and 2 losses. The Atlanta Falcons wrapped up the regular season at 11 wins and 5 losses. Given Patriots track record over the last decade, expectations were high for a big win against a rugged and aggressive Falcons team.
The game immediately turned into a shocker. From the jump, Patriots fans were sick to their stomach. I found myself watching the game in absolute silence. The first half ended with a shattering score of Atlanta Falcons 21, New England Patriots 3.
3 points. The Patriots were able to muster up a single field goal in the first half.
To all rational viewers, this game was far beyond over. The Patriots quarterback and GOAT, Tom Brady, finished the first half connecting 15 of 25 passes, and threw an interception for a touchdown (pick 6). He looked jittery heading into the locker room.
As the Falcons team, fans, and owners celebrated the first half, no one could have imagined what was about to happen.
The second half kicked off and the Falcons did not let up. Quickly they drove down the field and put another touchdown on the board, upping the score to a horrifying 28-3.
On their next drive, the Patriots respond in slow fashion scoring their first touchdown of the game, but missing the extra point attempt. They managed to eat up over 6 minutes of clock, but bring the score to Falcons 28, Patriots 9. As a Patriots fan, I found myself rationalizing how the Patriots could pull off a victory with only a little more than 1 quarter of play left. They had to be perfect I thought. Make a big stop against the charging Falcons, get the ball back, score immediately. Do it again, twice. Seemed unrealistic, but faith was in the air.
On the next drive, the Pats held the Falcons, and got the ball back. Ok I thought, now we need a quick touchdown to keep this going, the clock was burning minutes. Touchdown? No, but we settled for a field goal. Another 3 points on the board. Falcons 28, Patriots 12… 9 minutes left to play. We now had to score 2 touchdowns and get the 2 point conversions, just to end in a tie. And this is assuming we hold the Falcons to no additional points.
The Falcons get the ball back, and the Patriots catch a HUGE break. The Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan fumbles the ball. It couldn’t have happened any more perfect to give the Patriots a fighting chance. Patriots recover the ball setting up a short field and almost immediate touchdown, followed by the coveted 2 point conversion. Falcons 28, Patriots 20.
6 minutes to go.
And then it happened. Patriots again get the ball back, the Falcons were spinning, the sidelines and fans quiet inevitably in some form of shock. How have they given the Patriots 17 points without scoring a single point?
The next play blew people’s minds. Julian Edelman, number 11, the man. Patriots wide receiver makes arguably one of the most unbelievable and most important catches of any wide receiver’s career. The fingertip catch to keep the Patriots drive alive, setting up the final needed touchdown.
Falcons 28, Patriots 26. Game almost over, the Patriots HAD to make the second 2 point conversion to tie the game and send this incredible Superbowl into overtime.
Danny Amendola in the end zone for the 2 point conversion is a success. The Patriots have tied this game to send into overtime. Falcons team is in shock, the owners are no longer dancing on the sidelines. It’s as if they already know how overtime will play out. They were correct.
As in all overtimes, the coin toss for first possession.
The winner of the toss receives the ball first, and this typically leads to a win.
Patriots win the toss, and elect to receive.
The Patriots wasted no time marching the ball down the field, with running back James White punching in the game winning touchdown. It’s all over and the Falcons left in complete dismay. What had just happened, how? It wasn’t possible, but yet somehow, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots pulled off the greatest Superbowl comeback ever staged.
SUPERBOWL 51 HIGHLIGHTS
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