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Incredible. Mesmerizing. Unforgettable.
Every Patriot fan will have their own version of where they were when they watched history unfold in Houston. Facing a 25-point deficit and a 0.20% win probability after Atlanta’s third quarter Tevin Coleman touchdown, the Patriots somehow found a way.
The greatest comeback in the history of the sport will be well documented over the coming days, weeks, months, and years. Here were just a few key components that made it happen.
James White sets a record
In a performance that Marshall Faulk couldn’t have dreamed up, White set a Super Bowl record with 14 catches. He turned those into 110 yards, and added 29 yards on six carries on the ground. He caught a third quarter touchdown to start the comeback, scored on a key two-point conversion, scored the game-tying touchdown with 57 seconds left, and then won the game with an incredible second effort lunge at the goal line in overtime.
Trey Flowers and Dont’a Hightower fourth quarter heroics.
Following a Gostkowski field goal that made it a two-score game, Dont’a Hightower’s strip-sack of Matt Ryan brought the momentum to the New England sideline, and fan base. After the failed onside kick attempt, and the most “Julio”-esque catch one could imagine, Trey Flowers overcame an Alex Mack hold to sack Ryan and helped (along with a holding call on third down) forced the Falcons back out of field goal range. A punt ensued, and the Falcons would watch Tom Brady make history from there.
Danny big-play Amendola
The man only makes big plays. Eight catches, 78 yards, and a touchdown. Each catch was huge, but the biggest one didn’t even register on the stat sheet. After James White plunged in to bring the score to 28-26, his tunnel screen two-point conversion tied the game, and would eventually send it to over time.
Tom Brady. Five Super Bowl rings.
What more can be said? 466 passing yards, his fourth Super Bowl MVP award, and the sweet satisfaction of doing it all to cap a season that him serve a four game suspension for something so...ok...can’t go there. What a performance.
Follow Brian Phillips on Twitter - @b7phillips