Greatest Super Bowl Comeback of All Time Odds and Ends in Football History

It may feel like it was only yesterday that the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at the State Farm Stadium, but there are only three months until Super Bowl LVIII kicks off. February 11, 2024, is the date of Super Bowl LVIII, and the Allegiant Stadium in fabulous Las Vegas is the venue. Whichever teams navigate their way to American football’s most prestigious game, they can take inspiration from the incredible events of Super Bowl LI back in 2017.

The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons contested Super Bowl LI at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on February 5, 2017. The Patriots were coming off the back of an NFL-best 14-2 record and were the favorites to win by three points by everyone making Las Vegas Super Bowl bets online. The Falcons were the underdogs, although they finished the regular season with an 11-5 record, earning them the number two seed in the NFC playoffs. Where the Patriots were hunting for their fifth NFL championship, the Falcons were hoping to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the first time in their history.

Some 70,807 spectators crammed into the NRG Stadium, not knowing they were about to see one of the greatest games of American football ever. Super Bowl LI would eventually see more than 30 individual and team records broken or matched, including the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.

The first quarter of Super Bowl LI was closer to a tactical chess match than an explosive showcase of touchdowns. Both teams jockeyed for position, but the defensive units shone brightest. The Falcons, led by quarterback Matt Ryan, showed some dominant signs, including a 37-yard run by running back Devonta Freeman, but the first quarter ended with the game scoreless.

The Falcons drew first blood early in the second quarter, with Freeman enjoying a five-yard touchdown run that put Atlanta on the board. Uncharacteristically, the usually composed Patriots seemed rattled, and the Falcons took full advantage. After failing to get a first down on the series following Freeman’s touchdown, the Patriots could not prevent the Falcons from scoring another touchdown. This time, a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper ultimately undid the Patriots.

New England initially rallied and drove to the Falcons’ 23, but cornerback Robert Alford intercepted a Tom Brady pass before returning it for an 82-yard touchdown. A late Stephen Gostkowski field goal sent the teams into the half-time interval with the Falcons leading 21-3.

The Falcons continued their dominance in the third quarter. Tevin Coleman’s six-yard touchdown pass rounded off an 85-yard drive and saw the Falcons extend their lead to 28-3. 

Brady began making things happen for the Patriots, completing five of seven passes for 43 yards and himself rushing 15 yards as the Patriots gained 75 yards. Brady found James White for a touchdown, but Gostkowski missed the extra point when the ball hit the goalpost. The Falcons led 28-9 going into the fourth quarter.

The Comeback to End All Comebacks

One thing that every football fan knows is never to write off Brady or Bill Belichick. What followed in the fourth quarter will forever be etched in Super Bowl lore. The Patriots launched what can best be described as an all-out assault. A 33-yard field goal cut the deficit to 28-12, but less than ten minutes of the game remained.

Following a heavy sack on Falcons quarterback Ryan, the Patriots found themselves on the Atlanta 25-yard line. Brady orchestrated a touchdown, finding Danny Amendola for a six-yard touchdown. The Patriots scored a two-point conversion to make it 28-20 in the Falcons’ favor with fewer than six minutes remaining.

With a mere 3:30 left on the clock, Brady’s Patriots found themselves on their own nine-yard line. Brady passed his way through the field, resulting in a New England first down on the Atlanta one-yard line. White scored a one-yard touchdown with 58 seconds remaining, and Brady completed a two-point conversion pass to Amendola to tie the game 28-28, thus completing a 25-point comeback.

Super Bowl LI was one of the greatest football games the NFL has ever produced. It started as a simple football game but became a showcase for determination, resilience, and incredible human spirit.

Under the masterful guidance of Brady, the New England Patriots overturned what looked like an insurmountable deficit. They never gave up hope. They never stopped believing, and they ran out worthy winners.

The Falcons returned home to Atlanta dejected, feeling like they had thrown away their best chance to become Super Bowl champions. That may be the case, especially as the Falcons have only reached the playoffs once since this spectacular encounter.

This Super Bowl served as a vivid reminder of why sports captivate our hearts and minds. There was unpredictable drama and an unforgettable story of endeavor and triumph against all odds. It also taught us the valuable life lesson of never giving up, regardless of how daunting a challenge may be. Here’s hoping Super Bowl LVIII is as exciting as this thrilling encounter.

The New England Patriots were part of a few of the exciting games just discussed. The franchise has definitely had its fair share of crazy endings. Want to check out more? Take a trip down memory lane of this exciting and odd Patriot game ending, Snow Plow Game.

The images above are courtesy of Wikimedia Commons in the public domain and include:

This photograph was taken by Ozzy Trevino (of U.S. Customs and Border Protection) on Jan. 31, 2017 when air interdiction agents U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations, conducted a press event and a Black Hawk flyover of NRG Stadium in advance of Super Bowl LI.

U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz of Super Bowl LI

Super Bowl LI from Voice of America