A Super Bowl Comeback for the Ages
How did the New England Patriots win Super Bowl 51 in overtime? But how did the Atlanta Falcons lose the Super Bowl in overtime? Which question is more relevant. It is inconceivable how Super Bowl 51 unfolded and extended to overtime.
The fourth quarter was a bizarre series of plays resembling a twilight zone episode.
It was a strange game at 28 to 9 late in the third quarter and the game was pretty much over. The Falcons defense played well enough but were on the field defending the Patriots most of the second half. Time of possession was in Patriot`s favor and they had many more plays than the Falcons but were in a big hole.
The Patriots defense was keeping the Falcons stuck on 28 points with much pressure. When the defense forced a Matt Ryan fumble, the comeback was on the way into the twilight zone.
Tom Brady is licking his chops. After stalling on his previous drive they kick a field goal to close the gap to 28 to 12. Brady was in his own zone moving the ball to a 28 to 20 deficit. A two-point conversion was a great fake call with the ball snapped to the running back and Brady acting out the successful play. One score away from a tied game is all the momentum Brady and company needed.
The comeback was now a concern for the Falcons. They were still in charge but their fate was in their hands which caused them some trepidation.
The possibility of losing the Super Bowl was daunting after a 25 point lead was down to 8 points. The offense made a big play to mid-field but they stalled and punted to Patriots still stuck on 28 points. The Patriots get ball back with under four minutes to play and move to Falcon territory. An improbable pass play to Edelman keeps the Patriots drive alive. Edelman was twisted between Falcon defenders with legs, feet and bodies wrapped around the play. Somehow, Edelman saves the catch about one inch from the ground. The play was a double take on a pass completion that the ref got right. Was that catch for real and can the Falcons regroup on defense. Can they stop Brady and the momentum from escalating ?
A tired Falcons defense was doomed by the determination of the Patriots offense to score and tie game at 28 all. At 28 to 26, the Patriots did it again with another two-point conversion to match the Falcons at 28 points apiece with less than a minute left in game. No last second field goal as the game goes to overtime.
Overtime for the first time in Super Bowl history was not good for a depleted Falcon team. Their bubble was burst and the Patriots got the ball first and were unstoppable. Game over and the Patriots covered the spread. A real thriller for Patriot bettors and the worst loss for Falcon bettors. The comeback will haunt the Falcons and they deserve all the ridicule they will receive in the coming weeks.
The opening line at -3 was the best number since there was no movement from the books. The books kept the line at -3 for two weeks. Not even a half-point available The general betting public was at a standstill tug of war. The Patriots were getting support a little ahead of the Falcons but not enough to move the spread across Las Vegas and even off-shore. Not much you can do about momentum when your projected winner becomes a loser at the end of the game and vice-versa. “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” explains it all.
This historic comeback Super Bowl game is a rarity beyond belief and one for the ages to inspire future generations !
