Patriots Complete Incredible Comeback to Win Super Bowl 51 Over Falcons
Monday, February 06, 2017
The New England Patriots completed the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.
The Patriots trailed by as many as 25 points in the second half before rallying to beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in Super Bowl 51.
Trailing 28-20, Brady handed the ball to James White who rushed into the end zone for a touchdown. Brady then found Danny Amendola to complete a two point conversion and tie the game at 28.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAfter the Patriots won the overtime coin toss, Brady led the Patriots on an eight play drive that ended in a handoff to James White who rushed one yard into the endzone for a touchdown to win the game 34-28.
The win is the Patriots fifth Super Bowl Championship in the Brady/Belichick era.
Brady completed 43 of 62 passes for 466 yards and was named Super Bowl MVP for the fourth time in his career.
Brady and Belichick now have won 3 Super Bowls in 4 years (2001, 03 04) and 2 Super Bowls in 3 years (2014, 16)
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) February 6, 2017
Turnovers Nearly Cost Patriots
The Patriots were driving in the first quarter, having worked their way down to the Atlanta 33 yard line.
On first and 10, Brady handed the ball to Blount who ran four yards before having the ball ripped out by Deion Jones. The fumble was recovered by Atlanta’s Robert Alford and the Falcons would take over.
On Atlanta’s ensuing possession, Devonta Freeman ran five yards into the end zone to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead after a Matt Bryant extra point sailed through the uprights.
After forcing the patriots to go 3 and out, the Falcons drove 62 yards in five plays, ending with a touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to Austin Hooper to put Atlanta up 14-0 after a Bryant extra point.
On the Patriots next possession, turnovers would hurt them again.
Brady would attempt a pass to Danny Amendola but it would be picked off by Robert Alford and returned 82 yards for a touchdown. The Falcons would take a commanding 21-0 lead after a Bryant extra point. The interception was Brady's third of the post season, one more than he had the entire regular season.
Bad decision by Tom Brady, and also could say that is the cumulative effect of Falcons consistent pressure. They've been moving him off spot
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 6, 2017
Patriots Rally
The Patriots forced a three and out from the Falcons on their opening possession of the second half, but the New England offense would go three and out themselves.
After the Falcons went up 28-3, the Patriots offense finally got into the end zone after a pass from Brady to James White. However, Stephen Gostkowski would miss the extra point and the Patriots would trail 28-9. It would be Gostkowski's fifth missed extra point of the season.
The Patriots would get within 16 points, 28-12, after a Gostkowski field goal but would not get any closer.
Momentum would swing to the Patriots after a Ryan fumble that was recovered by Rob Ninkovich setting the Patriots up in Falcons territory.
Five plays later, Brady found Amendola for a touchdown and James White ran in for a two point conversion to pull the Patriots to within one score, 28-20, with just under six minutes to play.
Related Slideshow: The Patriots 8 Super Bowl Appearances
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