A Game to Remember

On Sunday February 5, 2017 the football fans world was in for the most shocking Super Bowl of their lives. The number one seeded New England Patriots were the AFC champions, having defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers for the right to go to the Super Bowl. For the NFC, the Atlanta Falcons had pulled off some big upsets versus Seattle and Green Bay to get them to host Super Bowl 51 which took place in Houston, Texas.

Tom Brady, quarterback and Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots entered the game looking for their 5th Super Bowl victory. Belichick passed legendary Don Shula for most Super Bowl appearances by a head coach with 7. Tom Brady meanwhile hoped to get his 5th ring and become 2nd player in all history to gain 5 Super Bowl rings, only behind to Charles Haley.

Many analysts and commentators predicted the Patriots to come out victorious due to their players having Super Bowl experience and having the number 1 scoring defense in the league. Though the Atlanta Falcons had the number 1 scoring offense all year and averaged 33 points per game, many doubted them for their inexperience and weak defense.

The first half of the game came out somewhat unpredicted for many, The Falcon offense got to a hot start in the 2nd quarter as it started off with running back Devonta Freeman scored a 5 yard touchdown, followed up by an Austin Hooper 19 yard touchdown, and then by a crucial Robert Alford 82 yard interception return for a touchdown. The Patriots had all but a field goal to respond with in the last minutes before half time, making the score 21-3. Things did not look good for the Patriots, as many of their fans got very emotional and almost stopped watching the game.

Coming out of the second half, Atlanta kept the pressure on as on their second possession back, Matt Ryan tossed a 6 yard touchdown to running back Tevin Coleman from the shotgun. Little did they know this would be the last time they would score in the game.

Everyone in the stadium and at home knew not to count Tom Brady out. Brady in his whole career had only came back from a 25 point deposit game 3 times in his career. What seemed impossible and outrageous soon became into reality for New England and a never ending nightmare for Atlanta.

It all started with James White, running back of the Patriots, scoring their first touchdown. Though the extra point hit the post and missed, this did not stop New England and their offense. Tom Brady would soon throw a 6 yard touchdown to wide receiver Danny Amendola, followed by a successful 2 point conversion. Their next possession would end up in another James White touchdown from the 1 yard line and another 2 point conversion.

With the game all tied up 28-28, the crowd was ready for overtime. New England won the coin toss as they called heads and elected to receive. Brady lead the team down a 75 yard drive for James White to score a 2 yard touchdown which gave them the stunning 34-28 victory.

Even after the big game, everyone around the world is still debating over biggest comeback in all history, or biggest choke in sports history? The topic will be talked for years to come as to what was the reason for the Falcons downfall.