Patriots Beat Falcons 34-28 In OT In Super Bowl LI After Furious Fourth-Quarter Comeback: Highlights

The Atlanta Falcons seemed like they were comfortably cruising toward their first Super Bowl victory.

The Game Marks The First Super Bowl To Ever Go To Overtime

However, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots said “Not so fast,” and made an incredible, 25-point comeback to secure their quarterback’s fifth national championship in overtime, marking the first time any NFL team has won the Super Bowl in the extra session.

First, Brady connected with Danny Amendola for a 6-yard touchdown pass, and then followed it up with a 2-point conversion to cut the Falcons’ lead to 28-20.

Then, Atlanta committed their first turnover of the game when Matt Ryan decided to aim for a deep pass on 3rd-and-1. Before the QB could throw the ball, he was blindsided by Dont’a Hightower, who tapped the ball just enough to knock it out of Ryan’s hands. Alan Branch recovered the ball, which put the Patriots just 25 yards away from a touchdown.

Brady needed only five plays, and was only sacked by Dwight Freeney for the rest of regulation.

Due to a sack by Trey Flowers and a holding call on Tom Compton, the Falcons did not even manage to get a field goal.

Ryan began his last drive at his own 10-yard line and quickly fond Devonta Freeman for a 39-yard catch-and-run that initially seemed like it could lead to a score. After a short run by Freeman, Ryan evaded pressure from New England’s defense and found wide receiver Julio Jones, who made an acrobatic 27-yard reception just inside the sideline by reaching over a defensive back to get the ball.

Following a spectacular 10-play, 91-yard Patriots drive in 2:33, which included a great catch by Julian Edelman, James White ran for a 1-yard touchdown, and Brady found Amendola for a successful 2-point conversion. Thus, New England tied the game 28-28 with less than a minute left.

The Pats won the toss and delivered an eight-play, 75-yard game-winning drive, which ended in a 2-yard TD run by White to seal the 34-28 victory.

Ryan, Jones–who played an amazing game– couldn’t help but stare blankly into space and hang their heads in frustration.

Ryan, however, did walk away with the title of the league’s MVP. The Associated Press gave the QB the award at Saturday night’s NFL Honors. Ryan earned 25 votes for the honor, while Brady finished second with 10 votes.

Brady was named the Super Bowl LI MVP.  According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Patriots expect their quarterback, who is 39, to play another three to five years and could work on another contract extension as early as next offseason. Brady’s current deal runs through the 2019 season.

Watch the highlights here: