Super Bowl LI: Patriots Win Overtime Thriller

HOUSTON, TX — For three quarters Sunday night, the New England Patriots played their worst football of the season. And then the fourth quarter and overtime happened. The Patriots scored 31 unanswered points to pull off the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history and win, 34-28, in overtime at NRG Stadium. It was the first overtime in the history of the Super Bowl.

It was the Patriots' record-breaking fifth Super Bowl championship. All of their titles have come in a historic era under the rule of quarterback Tom Brady, coach Bill Belichick, and owner Robert Kraft. Brady and Belichick become the first quarterback and coach to win five Super Bowls.

Until this game, no team had ever come back after being down by more than 10 points in the Super Bowl. The Patriots trailed by 25.

For Brady, who threw for a record-466 yards and two touchdowns while completing 43 of 62 passes in his record fourth Super Bowl MVP performance, it was particularly sweet. He was suspended the first four games of the season by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for his alleged role in Deflategate.

• Celebs React: What did Trump, Other Big Names Have to Say?
• Edelman Catch: Re-Watch His Historic Grab
• Finally!: Tom Brady Takes Shot at Roger Goodell in Hilarious New Commercial
• Jersey Boys?: Someone Apparently Stole Tom Brady's Jersey After the Game
• High Five: Patriots Finish Epic Comeback for Historic Fifth Title
• Find Your Patch: Subscribe to your local Patch for news alerts and newsletter

"Tonight, for the fifth time, the Patriots are world champions," Kraft said after he received the Vince Lombardi Trophy from Goodell. Kraft alluded to the suspension and Deflategate after he accepted the trophy, calling this championship the "sweetest" of them all.

Deafening boos drowned out Goodell's congratulations to Kraft and the Patriots.

• Super Bowl Parade: Date Set

President Trump, who many times has touted his friendship with Brady and Belichick, tweeted soon after the victory.

• Donald Trump Says...: President Wants The Country To Pay More Attention to Boston

For the Falcons, it is one of the most bitter Super Bowl disappointments of all time, up there with New England's perfection-denying loss to the Giants in 2007 and the Seahawks' 'Just run the ball!' loss to the Patriots two years ago.

"This hurts like hell," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.

James White won the game with a 2-yard touchdown run diving into the end zone on the first drive of overtime.

The Patriots tied it with two dramatic fourth-quarter touchdown drives and 2-point conversions. The most incredible play of the evening was Julian Edelman's juggling catch amongst three Falcons on the final touchdown drive.

White was one of the Patriots' stars - he accounted for 139 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. He also scored the first 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter on a direct snap; It was reminiscent of the old Kevin Faulk direct snaps in the dawn of the Patriots dynasty.

Edelman finished with five receptions and 87 yards.

The Patriots found themselves trailing, 21-3, heading into halftime. LeGarrette Blount's fumble at the Falcons 30-yard line early in the second quarter gave way to a 6-yard run by running back Devonta Freeman.

An Austin Hooper touchdown catch and a pick-6 thrown by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had the Patriots reeling.

The Falcons added 7 more points to start the second half, but those would be the last for the NFC champions.

A White touchdown cut into the lead, but Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski couldn't convert the extra point.

The Patriots got their big break in the fourth quarter when Dont'a Hightower strip-sacked Matt Ryan, arguably the game's turning point. They scored on the ensuing drive.

Just as it looked like the Falcons were in game-clinching field goal range after an amazing catch from Julio Jones, a Trey Flowers sack and an Atlanta holding penalty pushed the team further back and led to a punt.

After being on the wrong side of some of the most memorable Super Bowl catches, the Patriots finally got one to go their way.

A few plays later, the Patriots tied the game on a White run and 2-point conversion pass to Danny Amendola.

On the opening drive of overtime, Brady went 5 for 5 for 50 yards. On a pass attempt to Martellus Bennett, the Falcons were penalized with a pass interference call, setting the Patriots up at the 2-yard line. On second and goal, White ran it in for the winning touchdown.

Image: Submitted Photo