Patriots Complete Largest Super Bowl Comeback For Fifth Title

GET THOSE DUCK BOATS READY! The New England Patriots are World Champions once again for the fifth time in franchise history after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI with a comeback that was one for the ages.

This was probably the most incredible Super Bowl ever – maybe one of the greatest games in NFL history. This game gave us our first-ever overtime in Super Bowl history and largest comeback ever (25 points), more than doubling the prior record of 10 points down.
The Falcons led 28-3 at one point in the second half, and the Patriots looked less than ideal on offense. Matt Ryan and the Falcons had their offense moving like a well-oiled machine with no signs of slowing down.

Whatever was said in that locker room at halftime should be etched in stone and put on a statue outside of Gillette Stadium, because little did we know, everything was under control.

The Patriots didn’t score their first touchdown until there were only 17 minutes remaining in the game, but they never looked back. New England scored 31 unanswered points, including a pair of two-point conversions that proved to be crucial due to a missed extra point.

If all just fell into place. With Atlanta choosing to throw on a third-and-one, it allowed Dont’a Hightower to strip sack Matt Ryan and give the ball back to the Patriots. And how about Julian Edelman’s circus catch down the field on the Patriots’ final regulation drive? The circumstances and catch seemed eerily similar to, dare I say, David Tyree’s catch against New England in Super Bowl XLII?

When overtime started, the momentum had completely switched and Atlanta just looked stunned. When that coin landed on “heads,” the 75,000+ in attendance knew that the game was over. Brady and New England marched down the field nearly uncontested as running back James White crossed the goal line and sealed the victory – White was a healthy scratch the last time the Patriots were in the Super Bowl.

I’m just going to get this out of the way … Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time. This game, this comeback, this victory sealed the deal. Brady won his NFL-record fourth Super Bowl MVP and now stands alone as the only quarterback in NFL history with five Super Bowl wins. There is no one else you would want as your quarterback with the game on the line in the final drive other than him. His focus, throwing accuracy and clutch performance ability are second to none, even approaching the age of 40. He overcame the “Deflategate” accusations, the four-game suspension and more only to come out on top once again.

It goes without saying as well, that Bill Belichick has also cemented his place in history as one of the greatest coaches in history. The number of players on his roster this year that weren’t on the roster the last time the Patriots were in the Super Bowl is astounding – it’s almost half the roster. He continually produces wins year-after-year with roster turnover and has instilled the “Patriot Way” that every player who walks through his doors seems to buy into to.

For those planning to attend the championship parade on Tuesday, it will start at 11 a.m. at the Hynes Convention Center and travel down Boylston Street, around Boston Common to Tremont, and then end at City Hall Plaza. Roads will start to close at 9 a.m. and the MBTA will run throughout the event, with the exception of the Government Center T station which will close at 9:30 a.m. through the end of the parade. Many fans are expected to flood downtown Boston for the event, but can you blame them? Everybody loves the duck boats.