Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady was spectacular, besides throwing for yet another record, 466 yards, he past San Francisco 49ers legend Joe Montana and Pittsburgh Steelers Hall Of Famer Terry Bradshaw, by winning his fifth Super Bowl. Solidifying Brady as the greatest Quarterback of all-time.
The four-time Super Bowl MVP set single-game Super Bowl records for completions (43), passes (62), passing yards (466) and career marks for appearances (7), completions (207), passes (309), passing yards (2,071) and touchdown passes (15). Brady also tying the record for Super Bowl victories, equaling former Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers defensive end Charles Haley’s total of five rings.
Bill Belichick set head coaching records for Super Bowl appearances (7) and victories (5).
The Atlanta Falcons soared out of the locker room, their offense was crisp, their young defense wasn’t daunted by the Pats’ history in the slightest, including a 82 yd. Pick-six courtesy of Robert Alford. Late in the third quarter, the Falcons were in the driver’s seat leading 28-3. The Patriots finished Super Bowl LI with 31 unanswered points.
This loss will haunt the Falcons, with the Patriots capitalized on poor clock management and dubious play calling and head scratching calls by Falcons Offensive Coordinator, Kyle Shanahan. Although their running game was effective, averaging 6 yards per carry, they inexplicably abandoned the run.
MVP Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan struggled down the stretch, first fumbling the ball after a sack. Unfortunately, this trend of blowing leads has plagued him throughout his brilliant career. The next mistake proved fatal.
Holding onto a 28-20 edge in the 4th quarter, Ryan heaved the pigskin to the sideline where Wide Receiver Julio Jones made a spectacular tight rope catch. The ball rest on the Patriots 22 yd. line, a field goal would have salted the game, putting them up by two scores. Their overly aggressive strategy backfired-Ryan was sacked than the Falcons compounded their error by getting flagged for holding.
Out of field goal range, Atlanta was forced to punt, giving Brady one final opportunity to tie the game. New England drove 91 yards down the field to even the score at 28 all. While Wide Receiver Julian Edelman made perhaps the greatest catch in Super Bowl history. At midfield, Brady’s pass was deflected, Edelman dove as the ball bounced off a Falcons leg. Edelman somehow managed to snag the ball a millisecond before hitting the ground. X-factor Running Back James White scored three touchdowns, caught 14 receptions, for 110 yards.
In Overtime, the Patriots won the coin toss and marched down the field for the inevitable score. White darted to the corner of the end zone, before cutting back and stretched the ball across the chalk goal line before his knees hit the ground. Walk off TD! Super Bowl LI was one for the ages.
