What we all witnessed on Sunday night was the greatest comeback ever in the Super Bowl.
Tom Brady led the New England Patriots back from a 19-point deficit heading into the 4th quarter to a 34-28 overtime win in Super Bowl 51. Now that the game is over, let us take a close look at how the New England Patriots came back to win the game.
The speed of the Atlanta Falcons defense
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It took Brady and the Patriots’ offensive line three quarters to stop reacting to the speed of the Falcons pass rush, but it all finally started to click in the fourth quarter.
The Falcons have one of the fastest defenses at all positions on the field, which was a huge benefit to them for three quarters. But how much did that quality hurt them in the fourth quarter? The secondary played the Patriots receivers straight up man-to-man for about the first quarter and most of the second quarter, but then something happened as the Falcons’ defense began to show signs of fatigue. By the fourth quarter, it showed as they stayed in zone defense, and Brady was able to shred them.
The contributions came from everywhere on offense
LeGarrette Blount was ineffective and saw very little of the field after a second-quarter fumble, which helped Atlanta build a 21-3 halftime lead.
Enter James White. The third-year running back out of Wisconsin had just 29 rushing yards, but did manage to score two rushing touchdowns. His largest impact on the game was in racking up 14 receptions (a Super Bowl record) for 110 yards and another touchdown.
That is what separated the the Patriots from Falcons. Furthermore, five Patriots managed to tally over 50 receiving yards each, with the most notable being Malcolm Mitchell. The 23-year old rookie receiver had six catches for 70 yards, with five of those receptions coming in the fourth quarter.
The Misuse of the Running Game by the Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons’ running back duo of Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman combined for 18 carries, 104 yards, and a touchdown. Their production against the Patriots’ defense left many wondering why the run game was not implemented more by Kyle Shanahan‘s offense.
Freeman gashed the New England defense for 75 yards and a score on just 11 carries, with two catches for 46 yards, ample proof that the Patriots defense had zero answers for Freeman. So why was he not used more when the game was on the line? Was it just a product of the play calling, which kept them at a single pace?
Late in the fourth quarter when the Falcons were in field goal position with time winding down, only to be taken out of range by a sack and a holding penalty. The field goal would have potentially put the game away, and the absence of the run game down the stretch may have ended up being detrimental to their own defense, which could not get off the field and get stops in the fourth quarter.
We will be left to wonder what could have happened had the Falcons utilized the run game more in the fourth quarter.
What does this say about Matt Ryan?
The Falcons signal-caller played well. Really well.
However, he may have been his own worst enemy. The number that will stick out is the 46 plays the Falcons offense ran versus the 93 from the Patriots. Could their uptempo vertical attack be part of the reason why Ryan was in the position for Dont’a Hightower‘s strip sack in the fourth quarter on a 3rd-and-1 play where a first down could have easily been picked up on the ground?
Whatever the Falcons’ game plan was and their style of play, Ryan had a 144.1 quarterback rating but still lost. This pastseason catapulted Ryan in the conversation of better-than-average quarterback but unfortunately, the way elite quarterbacks are graded is whether or not if they win championships.
Until he wins a ring he will always be labeled a good quarterback, falling short of elite status. Super Bowl 51 cannot be blamed solely on him because Shanahan and his inept play calling should shoulder some of the blame as well.
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots bring the Lombardi Trophy back to New England
Going into halftime down 21-3 and into the fourth quarter down 28-9, a comeback of such proportions only seemed fitting for Brady, who now holds more titles than Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw.
Food for thought…..
In 2004 the Boston Red Sox came back from a 3-0 series deficit to shock the New York Yankees and the baseball world, winning the American League pennant 4-3. Fast forward to Super Bowl 51. Prior to last night, the record of teams with at least a 19-point lead heading into the fourth quarter was 93-0.
Two of the greatest modern sports comebacks now both reside in the same city.
In closing…
Brady is the greatest quarterback ever, and he and Bill Belichick are the best quarterback/coach duo to ever do it. Period. Together they have had almost two decades worth of excellence, and it does not seem like it is going to stop for a few years. Yes, he will be 40 years old in August, but he looks to be in shape to enjoy another productive season or two.
For now, it is best to appreciate what the New England Patriots just accomplished.
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