Super Bowl LI: New England Patriots Complete Greatest Comeback Ever

What. A. Game. The New England Patriots completed the greatest comeback in NFL history in Super Bowl LI on Sunday in Houston.

On Sunday night, Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. cemented his claim as the greatest NFL quarterback of all time. After falling behind 28-3, the New England Patriots stormed back to win Super Bowl LI 34-28 over the Atlanta Falcons.

According to ESPN, the Falcons had a 99.5% chance to win the title when they took the 25 point lead. As fans across New England were in disbelief, Brady and the rest of the Patriots dug deep to come out victorious.

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In the 1st quarter, no team could get their offense going. The Falcons and Patriots were moving the ball a bit, but each stalled around midfield. In the 2nd, Atlanta took over. Devonta Freeman was carving up the Patriots defense as he scored the first touchdown of the night, giving the Falcons a 7-0 lead. Less than 4 minutes later, Austin Hooper hauled in a Matt Ryan 9 yard score following a LeGarrette Blount fumble.

The Patriots desperately needed to score to keep their hopes alive. Instead, Tom Brady fired a pass into the arms of Robert Alford, who took the pick to the house for another Falcons touchdown. Atlanta was now up 21-0 over the favored Patriots. With :02 left in the half, Stephen Gostkowski knocked in a field goal after the Patriots offense stalled.

I can not even begin to imagine what it was like inside New England’s locker room during the long halftime in which us fans had to suffer through a dreadful Lady Gaga performance. The offense was not looking like a Brady led Patriots offense. The defense was making it seem like the media was right, they hadn’t played a top QB. The offensive line was putting TB12 in duress.

It was the worst half of football the Patriots played all season. They needed a quick start to the second half. Instead, Atlanta scored the first points of the half. Tevin Coleman caught a 6 yard pass from Matt Ryan for another Falcons score. Down 25, New England fans thought this game was over, myself included.

The lightbulb must have come on though. From that point on, with 6:29 remaining in the 3rd quarter, the New England Patriots took control. Brady caught fire, and James White hauled in the first Patriots touchdown of the night.

Following a New England field goal, the Patriots defense forced a fumble and recovered it at the Atlanta 25. Brady took advantage. Danny Amendola took in a 6 yard pass from Tom, but they still needed a 2-pt conversion. New England gave a direct snap to James White who powered through for the successful attempt. It was now 28-20 Atlanta, with just 5:56 to play.

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots running back James White (28) scores a touchdown in the third quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta had the ball for just over 2 minutes, over six plays. New England’s defense came up big forcing the punt. On 1st and 10 from their own 36, Julian Edelman made an incredible catch. After it seemed like a clear incompletion as Jules fell to the ground, the ball bounced off a Falcons defender’s leg and Edelman was able to just barely scoop it up for a catch.

Brady then completed three more passes in a row. A 20 yarder to Amendola, followed by 13 and 7 yard passes to James White. White then played hero again, with a 1 yard rush for a touchdown.

Still though, the Patriots needed another 2-pt conversion. Brady found Amendola on the outside, who was just able to break the plane. The Super Bowl was going into over time for the first time in it’s history.

New England called heads, and won it. Of course they took the ball first, a touchdown would give them the title. James White, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan and Edelman all made plays to get the Patriots into scoring position. Brady then fired a pass to Martellus Bennett, who had a chance to win the game but dropped the pass.

Atlanta though, was called for a pass interference on Bennett. The Pats had the ball on the 2 yard line, and two plays later James White ran it in for the Super Bowl winning score, 34-28 New England!

Next: Patriots RB James White has Record-Setting Super Bowl

The 25 point comeback was far and away the largest in Super Bowl history, and this is a win Patriots fans will not soon forget. Tom Brady set Super Bowl records for completions and yards, en route to his 5th title and 4th Super Bowl MVP.

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