Well that was interesting
For Super Bowl 51 I had predicted that the Patriots would beat the Falcons 34-31 in a shootout. But I didn't know that this would be the craziest and most exciting Super Bowl that I would ever witness.
The Atlanta Falcons came out of the gates in the first half with their high powered offense scoring touchdowns and surprisingly their defense was making plays all over the field. The score was 14-0 Atlanta in the second quarter and the Patriots were driving in Atlanta territory and Tom Brady threw a slant pass to Danny Amendola it was intercepted by Falcons Conerback Robert Alford and returned 82 yards for a touchdown. Making the game 21-0 Falcons. I thought the game was over and this would be a dent in Tom Brady's legacy. But I will have to admit there is no quit in Tom Brady and in the New England Patriots.
In the second half the Patriots had outscored the Falcons 31-7, and it was because of Tom Brady began completing first down after first down to various receivers including Running Back James White who set a record for receptions in a Super Bowl with 14 catches. Even though the Patriots were outscoring the Falcons in the second half I still thought the Falcons could have won the game with running the football with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
But they would begin to pass more than I expected and these plays would result in quick 3 and outs. But one crucial moment of the game was when the Falcons were on offense in their territory and Matt Ryan dropped back to pass, Devonta Freeman missed a block on Patriots Linebacker Dont'a Hightower who was blitzing and hit Matt Ryan causing a fumble and New England recovered. That next drive for the Patriots resulted in another touchdown for them, shortening the lead. But on the next drive for the Patriots Tom Brady threw a pass to Julian Edelman that was tipped by Robert Alford but still caught by Julian Edelman with 3 defenders around him. It was one of the craziest play I've ever seen in a Super Bowl, it resulted in a first down and later a touchdown that would tie the game.
In Overtime the Patriots had the ball and never gave it back and ended up winning Super Bowl 51 with a run play to the right to my MVP James White. Super Bowl 51 was a learning lesson for the Falcons and the Patriots. For the
Patriots never give up and for the Falcons there is no such thing as a safe lead.
