At NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas the Atlanta Falcons were outplaying the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
At the end of the third quarter Atlanta led by a demanding 25 points. It seemed that the Falcons had the game in the bag, but the Patriots weren't ready to give up.
With 8:24 left in regulation, linebacker Dont'a Hightower strip sacks QB Matt Ryan. Defensive tackle Alan Branch recovers the ball on Atlanta's own 25-yard line. In 5 plays the Patriots moved the ball into the redzone.
Tom Brady throws a 6-yard touchdown pass to WR Danny Amendola. To follow this, New England decided to go for the two point conversion in hopes to make it a one possession game. The direct snap to RB James White did just that, making the score 28-20. On Atlantas next possession, completions of 39 and 27 yards put them at New Englands 22-yard line. On the next play the Patriots defense stuffed a run followed by a 12-yard sack by Trey Flowers to put Atlanta on the edge of field goal range. A holding call and an incomplete pass ended the drive with a punt. The Patriots next possession started with 3:30 left in the game.
Brady hit Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell to set up one of the greatest catches in super bowl history.
The Big Game Changer
With 2:28 left in the game Tom Brady throws a pass to WR Julian Edelman over the middle of the field. Atlanta Cornerback Robert Alford deflected the ball up in the air while two other Falcons, Ricardo Allen and Jalen Collins converged on Edelman. When the ball came down it landed on Alfords foot, giving Edelman a split second to get his hands on the ball before it hit the ground. After review of the play, it was confirmed that Julian Edelman had in fact made the greatest catch in Super Bowl history.
What Followed Edelman's Catch
The 23-yard completion gave New England a critical first down. Brady threw short passes to get them on the one yard line. On the next play Tom Brady gave the ball to James White who put the ball in the endzone making the score 28-26.
Danny Amendola caught a screen pass from Brady for the two point conversion tying the game at 28.
With less than a minute left the Falcons could not move the ball down the field. The game was going into overtime for the first time in Super Bowl history.
Patriots special teamer Matthew Slater called heads on the coin toss and won. After a touchback, the Patriots offense would move the ball into the redzone in only 6 plays.
A pass interference call would set up New England on the 2-yard line.
After an incomplete pass Tom Brady would toss the ball to James White who would fight his way just across the goal line to win the game for the New England Patriots. The final score was an unbelievable 34-28. The Patriots had completed the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history.