28-3: An Oral History of the Patriots’ Unbelievable Super Bowl LI Comeback
Super Bowl LI. February 5, 2017. NRG Stadium, Houston. The New England Patriots versus the Atlanta Falcons. What started as a seemingly ordinary Super Bowl matchup quickly morphed into a legendary gridiron battle etched forever in NFL history. The Patriots, led by quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, orchestrated the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, overcoming a 25-point deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime. But how did it all unfold? Here’s an oral history piecing together the perspectives and pivotal moments that defined this unforgettable game.
The Early Onslaught
The game began as many expected, with a tight, defensive struggle. However, the Falcons, led by MVP quarterback Matt Ryan, soon found their rhythm. Atlanta’s offense, the league’s best that year, exploded for 21 points in the second quarter, showcasing a dynamic rushing attack led by Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, and Ryan’s pinpoint accuracy to receivers like Julio Jones.
“We came out firing,” recalls Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel. “Matt [Ryan] was making all the right reads, and our running game was opening up everything. We felt unstoppable.”
On the other side, the Patriots’ offense sputtered. Brady, under constant pressure from the Falcons’ defensive line, struggled to find open receivers. A costly interception by Robert Alford, returned 82 yards for a touchdown, compounded New England’s woes.
“They were playing Cover 1-Lurk, and they were executing it perfectly,” explains NFL analyst Brian Baldinger. “Brady couldn’t find his sweet spots, and the Falcons’ defensive line was getting after him.”
By halftime, the score was a shocking 21-3 in favor of Atlanta. The Patriots looked lost, and the Falcons appeared poised to claim their first Super Bowl title.
The 28-3 Moment
The third quarter began much like the second, with the Falcons extending their lead. A six-yard touchdown pass from Ryan to Tevin Coleman pushed the score to 28-3 midway through the third quarter. The Falcons’ win probability soared to over 99%.
“Honestly, at that point, I thought it was over,” admits Patriots safety Devin McCourty. “We couldn’t get anything going on offense, and they were scoring at will. It didn’t look good.”
The Spark
With just over eight minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Patriots finally found a spark. Brady connected with running back James White for a five-yard touchdown pass. However, a missed extra point by Stephen Gostkowski kept the score at 28-9.
“That touchdown, even with the missed extra point, gave us a little bit of life,” says Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman. “We knew we had a long way to go, but we started to believe we could get back in the game.”
The Turning Point
The momentum began to shift. Dont’a Hightower’s strip-sack on Matt Ryan forced a fumble, which Alan Branch recovered. The Patriots capitalized, driving down the field and kicking a field goal to narrow the gap to 28-12.
“That strip-sack was huge,” Belichick stated after the game. “It gave us the ball in great field position, and we were able to get some points out of it.”
The Fourth Quarter Frenzy
The fourth quarter was a masterclass in offensive execution by Brady and the Patriots. Brady went 16 of 21 for 196 yards in the fourth quarter alone. A touchdown pass to Danny Amendola and a successful two-point conversion brought the score to 28-20 with under six minutes to play.
“We just kept chipping away,” Amendola recalls. “Tom [Brady] was unbelievable, making throws under pressure, and the offensive line was giving him time.”
The Catch
With the clock winding down, the Patriots faced a critical third-down situation. Brady launched a pass downfield to Edelman, who made an improbable catch amidst triple coverage, securing the ball just inches off the ground.
“I don’t know how he caught that ball,” Brady said of Edelman’s catch. “It was one of the greatest catches I’ve ever seen.”
The catch propelled the Patriots down the field, culminating in a James White touchdown run. A successful two-point conversion tied the game at 28-28 with less than a minute remaining.
Overtime
For the first time in Super Bowl history, the game went into overtime. The Patriots won the coin toss and Brady led the offense onto the field. He completed five consecutive passes, driving the Patriots deep into Falcons territory. James White, who had already had a record-breaking Super Bowl performance, sealed the victory with a two-yard touchdown run.
“It was an amazing feeling,” White said after the game. “We have a great group of guys. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way with these guys.”
The Aftermath
The Patriots’ Super Bowl LI victory was more than just a win; it was a testament to their resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in each other. Tom Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for a record fourth time, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. The game shattered numerous Super Bowl records, including most passing yards (466) by Brady and most receptions (14) by White.
“This is unbelievable,” Brady declared, trophy aloft. “We’re bringing this sucker home!”
Super Bowl LI will forever be remembered as the “28-3” game, a symbol of the Patriots’ improbable comeback and a reminder that in football, as in life, anything is possible.