On This Day in Sports: February 5, 2017
On February 5, 2017, the New England Patriots completed the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34–28 in overtime at NRG Stadium in Houston. Atlanta led 28–3 midway through the third quarter after a fast, aggressive performance built around Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and a defense that repeatedly pressured Tom Brady. With the game slipping away, New England needed nearly every remaining possession to be perfect.
Brady answered with a steady stream of short completions and patient drives. James White scored on a five-yard pass late in the third quarter, and Stephen Gostkowski added a field goal early in the fourth. After Dont’a Hightower forced a Ryan fumble, the Patriots converted the short field into another touchdown. A remarkable Julian Edelman catch inches above the turf kept the tying drive alive, and White’s one-yard run plus a two-point conversion made it 28–28 with 57 seconds left.
Super Bowl LI became the first championship game in league history to reach overtime. New England won the coin toss, marched 75 yards in eight plays and never allowed Atlanta to possess the ball. White ended it with a two-yard touchdown run, completing a run of 31 unanswered points. Brady finished with a then-Super Bowl record 466 passing yards, while White set a championship-game record with 14 receptions.
The comeback delivered the Patriots their fifth Super Bowl title and reinforced the dynasty’s reputation for preparation under pressure. It also changed how late-game leads are discussed: 28–3 became a shorthand for the danger of assuming any contest is finished. For Atlanta, the defeat became one of the sport’s most painful reversals. For New England, it was the clearest example of how endurance, situational discipline and belief can overturn an almost impossible scoreboard.
Atlanta built a 28–3 lead with 8:31 left in the third quarter.
No team had ever overcome more than a ten-point deficit to win a Super Bowl.
Hightower’s strip-sack created the short field that accelerated New England’s rally.
Edelman’s diving fourth-quarter catch preserved the drive that produced the tying touchdown.
Super Bowl LI was the first Super Bowl decided in overtime.
Brady won his fourth Super Bowl MVP award after throwing for 466 yards.
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