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Patriots gain historical overtime Super Bowl win

For the fifth time since 2000, the New England Patriots have won the Super Bowl behind head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.

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On Sunday night, the Patriots rallied from a 28-3 deficit, only to score thirty-one unanswered points and win by a score of 34-28 in overtime over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. On football’s biggest stage, MVP Matt Ryan, and the Atlanta Falcons defense owned the first three quarters of the game completely. Ryan led the way with 284 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air. Devonta Freeman ran for seventy-five yards on eleven carries and reached the end zone once on the ground for the Falcons. Julio Jones recorded eighty-seven receiving yards on just four receptions, including a circus sideline catch with the defense in his face. Going into the second half, the Falcons had a commanding 21-3 lead.

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After Lady Gaga’s tremendous halftime show, the Falcons struck first with a six yard Tevin Coleman touchdown reception from Matt Ryan to give Atlanta a 28-3 lead. The Patriots answered with a touchdown from James White to narrow the deficit, but Stephen Gostkowski missed the extra point. From here, the Patriots dominated the rest of the game. Entering the fourth quarter, the Pats trailed 12-28.  New England exploded in the fourth with a thirty-three-yard field goal, a Danny Amendola receiving touchdown, and a James White rushing touchdown from one yard out with just 0:57 seconds to go in regulation. Leading up to the White touchdown, Julian Edelman made one of the most remarkable catches in Super Bowl history, as he pulled in a tipped ball that was inches from the turf. The Patriots finished the drive with the James White touchdown ultimately send the game into overtime, the first time a Super Bowl has ever needed overtime to decide the winner.

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The Patriots won the coin toss to begin overtime, and the rest was history. Brady completed his first five passes in overtime to march down into Falcon territory. After two defensive stops for the Falcons, James White punched in a pitch to the right side from two yards out, to earn the New England Patriots yet another Super Bowl Title. With the win, Tom Brady has now won five Super Bowls, eclipsing Joe Montana’s four rings, for the most all time. Brady also earned his fourth Super Bowl MVP award following a Super Bowl record 466 pass yards on sixty-two attempts for two touchdowns. James White added three touchdowns for the Pats, including the game winner in overtime.

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The Patriots now own five world titles (’02, ’04, ’05, ’15, ’17) and are already the favorite to win next years title. However, the Atlanta Falcons will enter the 2017-2018 season still looking for their first Super Bowl victory.

By Paul Jones

Photo by musketfire.com

February 17, 2017

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