It’s been a dull night for many Patriots fans around America, and many probably turned off their TVs by halftime. An 18 point deficit before halftime is what no fan wants to see, and when it turned into a 25 point deficit with a 6 yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to his running back Tevin Coleman, it got even worse.
Out comes Tom Brady, the 4 time Super Bowl champion. He has been in contention for the greatest quarterback ever for quite some time now. Ball on his own 22. Here’s where he can show his greatness, where he can show what he has that no one else does. After a first down, a couple short runs and a failed trick play, they find themselves with a fourth and three. No doubt in anyone’s mind that if this isn’t converted, this game is officially over. A quick 13 yard pass to Danny Amendola keeps the hope alive. The Patriots suffice with a touchdown, but no extra points.
The short 10-15 yard passes are the little plays that average fans don’t notice, and therefore can’t appreciate how difficult being an NFL quarterback is. Tom Brady is able to keep calm as 50,000 fans are yelling at him, 3 of the biggest men you’ll see in your life are running full blast at him, and he has four seconds to make a decision. In those 4 seconds he’s able to scan the field, make a decision, and throw a football in a gap less than a foot wide. And he does this 40-50 times every game. Not to mention the jaw dropping 45 yard bombs that drop right in the receivers’ hands.
After another quick field goal from the Pats, the Falcons make a long drive, but have to punt, and Brady gets the ball on his own 6. Now it’s time for him to work his magic. A couple more passes and a few runs, and it’s third down. All the pressure is on Brady, who throws a 30 yard line drive to Edelman, which gets deflected. The football hangs in the air for what seems like an eternity. You can practically hear the gasps from homes across America.The ball comes down, with Edelman’s hand underneath it. A couple more perfect passes from Brady, then a James White rushing touchdown. 26-28. It’s all come down to this 2-point conversion. A quick screen pass to Amendola who barely muscles his way in is good for 2. They’ve done it. 28-28 with under a minute to go.
Overtime. The first in Super Bowl history. The Patriots win the coin toss, and elect to receive the ball. Only one drive left between the Patriots and their 5th Super Bowl in 15 years. 15 yard pass, 20 yard pass, 10 yard pass, and one more ten yard pass gets the Patriots to the Falcons’ 10 yard line. Brady throws a ball right into the hands of tight end Martellus Bennett, but the defender swats the ball away, and swats Bennett’s hands in the process. Pass interference. Ball at the two yard line. Tom Brady tosses the ball to James White who dives and reaches for victory.Touchdown. Brady did it. A 25 point comeback in the Super Bowl. Only Tom Brady could ever do this, and it has solidified him as the greatest quarterback of all time. This may singlehandedly be the greatest moment in all of sports.
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