Super Bowl LI was a thriller; football at its most exciting. The New England Patriots’ 34-28 come-from-behind victory over the Atlanta Falcons has been a game for the ages not only because of the way it ultimately unfolded. It also saw a multitude of new records being established.
Overall, the Patriots were able to set 24 new Super Bowl records. Let’s take a look at them (via Nora Princiotti):
Most games – 7, Tom Brady
Most Games, Head Coach – 7, Bill Belichick
Most Games Won, Head Coach – 5, Bill Belichick
Most Points, Game – 20, James White
Most Passes, Career – 309, Tom Brady
Most Passes, Game – 62, Tom Brady
Most Completions, Career – 207, Tom Brady
Most Completions, Game – 43, Tom Brady
Most Passing Yards, Career – 2,071, Tom Brady
Most Passing Yards, Game – 466, Tom Brady
Most Touchdown Passes, Career – 15, Tom Brady
Most Receptions, Game – 14, James White
Most Games, Team – 9, New England
Largest Deficit Overcome, Winning Team – 25 points, New England
Most Points, Overtime Period, Team – 6, New England
Most First Downs, Game, Team – 37, New England
Most First Downs, Game, Both Teams – 54, New England vs. Atlanta
Most First Downs Passing, Game, Team – 26, New England
Most First Downs Passing, Game, Both Teams – 39, New England vs. Atlanta
Most Offensive Plays, Game, Team – 93, New England
Most Passes, Game, Team – 63, New England
Most Completions, Game, Team – 43, New England
Most Passing Yards, Game, Team – 442, New England
Most Passing Yards, Game, Both Teams – 682, New England vs. Atlanta
A lot of the records above were already held by the Patriots entering yesterday’s game. They were the result of the continued excellence of the team led by Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Therefore, the third individual listed above stands out: running back James White.
White has set two in-game records yesterday: No player has ever a) caught more passes in a single Super Bowl than the 25-year old’s 14 and b) scored more points in a single title game (20). White has been a standout performer for the Patriots’ yesterday and could very well have won the MVP trophy instead of Brady.
While the Patriots set 24 new records yesterday, they also tied five already standing:
Most Games Won – 5, Tom Brady
Most Touchdowns, Game – 3, James White
Most Two-Point Conversions, Game – 1, James White; Danny Amendola
Most Two-Point Conversions, Game, Team – 2, New England
Most Two-Point Conversions, Game, Both Teams – 2 New England vs. Atlanta
One more record was set yesterday. Atlanta defensive tackle Grady Jarrett became the first player to register 3.0 sacks in one game (for comparison, Patriots edge defender Trey Flowers had 2.5).
Most Sacks, Game (Since 1982) – 3, Grady Jarrett
All in all, Super Bowl LI was an instant classic – and the sheer number of new records set add to that.