Super Bowl 51: Patriots Mount Epic Comeback, NFL Fans Mourn

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Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan answers questions during a press conference at Westin Houston Memorial City Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Freeman was stuffed for a one-yard loss, setting up 2nd-and-11 with under four minutes to play. If the Falcons take a knee twice here and kick the 43-or-so-yard field goal, Matt Bryant sinks it, and Atlanta wins their first Super Bowl.

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Counting on Bryant to make a field goal here is not automatic, of course, but Bryant was 29-of-31 on field goals between 40 and 45 yards on the season. Even if Bryant missed, the Patriots would have been forced to use two time outs they’d rather save for their final drive of regulation.

Instead, Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan decided to throw it. Twice. The first play ended in a sack and a 12-yard loss. We’re over 50 yards on a field goal try here, but it’s still make-able. On third and long, poor Matthews got caught holding again, this time for wrapping his arm around defensive end Chris Long‘s neck. On third-and-33 (when you have to throw to get back into field goal range), Ryan’s pass fell incomplete.

You know the story from here. The Patriots took over. On their way to marching down the field again, Julian Edelman somehow caught this ball that should have been intercepted, White scored on a one-yard plunge, and Amendola tied the game on the two-point conversion. The Patriots won the overtime coin toss and drove down the field again for the win.

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So blame the Falcons for choking away their chance to turn away the Patriots. New England of course deserves credit for mounting the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, ending in the first overtime Super Bowl ever. Still, we wonder what could have been.

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