(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
You couldn’t ask for a better ending to an incredible NFL season than Super Bowl LI. The New England Patriots overcame a rough first half to defeat the underdog Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in a dramatic overtime finish, the first in Super Bowl history.
Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons controlled the NFC all season and handled their wins with ease and poise as they earned the right to be in football’s biggest stage. Looking for their first Super Bowl in franchise history, it wasn’t going to be an easy road with Tom Brady, Bill Belichik, and the supporting cast of the New England Patriots in the way. The Falcons came out to a dominating start, holding a 28-3 lead with eight minutes left in the third quarter. All those watching had every right to believe the game was over, but the Patriots had a few tricks up their sleeves. With some crucial stops by New England’s defense and one of the best catches in Super Bowl history by Julian Edelman, it was no secret that the Patriots weren’t going out sad.
The Patriots ended up completing the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, scoring 31 unanswered points, giving Tom Brady and Bill Belichik their fifth Super Bowl title together. It is a game that will be written in the history books not only because of the comeback, but also it being the only overtime game the Super Bowl has ever had. Congratulations to the New England Patriots, as they are world champions once again!
Danny Rolander Staff Reporter