Super Bowl LI: The Greatest Comback Ever
- Elliott Antler
- Feb 7, 2017
- 3 min read
New England Patriots are Super Bowl Champions for the fifth time since 2001. There’s not much to say but what a game. Down 28-3, Tom Brady was able to lead the Patriots back to tie up the game at the end of regulation. With all the momentum heading into overtime, New England won the toss and shut the door on the Atlanta Falcons hopes of bringing home their first Lombardi Trophy.
It was a tale of two halves. Super Bowl 51 was hyped up to be one of the best matchups ever. Two experienced quarterbacks, each with highly efficient offenses. Some analyst believed it was going to break the record for most points scored in a Super Bowl. This game surely did not disappoint.
After a slow first quarter, where no points were put on the board, tensions eased and a remarkable game unfolded. Atlanta struck first, early in the second quarter on short run by Devonta Freeman. Up 7-0, their defense held the Patriots and forced them to punt. Atlanta put up another six points, as Matt Ryan connected with Austin Hooper on a 19-yard touchdown pass. New England now trailing 14-0, needed to respond. Driving down the field, Brady forced a throw that was jumped by defender Robert Alford who brought it back to the house for a touchdown. Who would of guessed this. The New England Patriots are trailing the Atlanta Falcons 21-0 with just over 2 minutes left in the first half.
The Patriots were capable of stringing some plays together just before the end of the half and put three points on the board with a Stephen Gostkowski 41-yard field goal. Atlanta heads to the locker room felling good, up 21-3.
I honestly still can’t believe what happened in the second half of Super Bowl 51. I’m really curious to know what each coach said during half time. New England would receive the ball to start the second half, in hopes of surmounting a comeback, if even possible.
New England received the ball and their offense still looked flat. Unable to put a drive together, they gave the ball back to the Falcons. Ryan led his offense down the field, connecting with Tevin Coleman for another touchdown. The PAT was good and the Falcons were up 28-3. So it seemed that the game was over. No team in the Super Bowl history winning by 19 points had ever lost. It appeared the Patriots luck had run out. Brady was missing passes and nothing was going New England’s way.
But never count Tom Brady out. Some say he recited a prayer. Others say God came down from the heavens and over took his body. Whatever really happened, it was the greatest performance in Super Bowl history. Brady took control of the offense and managed to score a touchdown. However, the PAT hit of the field goal post and it seemed the struggles would continue. Down 28-9, they still had to overcome a large deficit.
The fourth quarter ended and the Patriots were down 19 points. No team ever leading by that margin has lost in the Super Bowl. Teams leading by that much were 93-0. That was until it came across Mr. Brady.
With just under 10 minutes left, New England notched a field goal, closing the gap to 28-12. There is a glimmering hope. But even the Patriots counted themselves out. A Falcons fumble gave the Pats great field position. A quick touchdown pass from Brady to Danny Amendola and a converted 2-point conversion made the score 28-20, Atlanta. A one score game. Who could have guessed this?
After Atlanta failed another attempt to put a game ending drive together, the football found its way back into Brady’s hands. With time ticking away, James White crossed the goal for six points. 28-26, New England must go for two. One would think it’s just not possible. Its hard converting one two-point attempt but another one? No way. The Patriots ran a beautiful screenplay and tied the game up 28-28.
The clock ticked away and the Super Bowl headed to over time for the first time ever. The teams met at the 50-yard line for the coin toss. New England called heads and won the toss. With all of the momentum behind them, Brady took the field. He led the offense down the field with ease. He connected with James White who scored the game-winning touchdown. Red, white and blue confetti rained down as the greatest comeback in football history unfolded before our eyes. Congratulations to the New England Patriots, Super Bowl LI Champions.
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