Ranking the New England Patriots first 9 Super Bowl appearances
3. Super Bowl XLIX
New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24
The New England Patriots looked like they were going to lose this game, allowing the Seahawks to become a dynasty. Things change very quickly though.
The first quarter was scoreless, and New England opened the scoring in the second quarter with an 11-yard pass to Brandon LaFell. Seven minutes later, Marshawn Lynch found the end zone for Seattle to tie the game at 7. The fun really got started right before halftime though. The Patriots drove and Brady found Rob Gronkowski for 22-yards and a score with just 0:38 seconds left to play. Somehow, that was long enough for Seattle as the New England defense fell apart and allowed a touchdown from Russell Wilson to Chris Matthews with 0:02 seconds left before the half. So, the game went into the break tied at 14.
The Seahawks owned the third quarter. New England was held scoreless while Seattle added 10 points of their own. The Patriots trailed 24-14 as the final quarter began. It remained that way until about midway through the quarter. The Patriots were finally able to get past the Seahawks defense with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola. They still trailed 24-21. Then, Brady led them on another scoring drive. On the goal line, Brady and Edelman failed to connect on a wide open play. New England immediately ran the same play, and Edelman got into the end zone to put the Patriots up 28-24.
There was still time for Seattle though. They had 2:02 to work with. It was looking reminiscent of Super Bowl 42 against the Giants when Wilson connected deep downfield with Jevon Kearse. Rookie corner Malcolm Butler had gotten a hand on the ball, but it bounced up and around and off Kearse’s foot and back into his hands. The Seahawks were on the Patriots 5-yard line with just over a minute left to play. The Seahawks gave the ball to Marshawn Lynch but he was stopped at the 1 by Dont’a Hightower. The clock ran down to :26 seconds, and then Seattle ran a pass play. Ricardo Lockette was Russell Wilson’s intended target, but Malcolm Butler spoiled their plans with the greatest Patriots interception of all-time.
New England took over at their own 1-yard line. Tom Brady forced Seattle to jump offsides, and on the next play, he took a knee to secure the win. It was an improbable comeback and an amazing turnover forced by Butler to give the Patriots their 4th title.