Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to one of the most remarkable comeback in Super Bowl history on February 5, 2017, overturning a 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons to win Super Bowl LI in overtime, 34-28. This game put Brady’s status as the greatest quarterback of all time, earning him his fifth Super Bowl ring and a fourth Super Bowl MVP award.
The Road to Super Bowl LI
The 2016 NFL season was challenging for Brady and the Patriots. Brady, then 39 years old, had started the season under a four-game suspension due to the controversial Deflategate scandal. Despite his absence, the Patriots managed to go 3-1 with backup quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett.
When Brady returned in Week 5, he played exceptionally well, leading the Patriots to a 14-2 regular-season record. He threw for 3,554 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions, securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed. New England defeated the Houston Texans (34-16) in the Divisional Round and dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers (36-17) in the AFC Championship, setting up a showdown with the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.
Super Bowl LI: A Game for the Ages
First Half – Falcons Dominate
The game started disastrously for the Patriots. The Falcons, led by quarterback Matt Ryan, built a commanding 28-3 lead by late in the third quarter, thanks to touchdowns from Devonta Freeman, Austin Hooper, and Tevin Coleman, along with a Pick-Six by Robert Alford on Brady. It seemed like Atlanta was on the verge of their first Super Bowl victory.
Second Half – The Greatest Comeback in NFL History
With just 2:12 left in the third quarter, Brady and the Patriots began their historic rally.
- James White scored a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 28-9 (missed extra point).
- On the next drive, Danny Amendola caught a touchdown pass, followed by a two-point conversion by White, making it 28-20 with 5:56 left in the game.
- The Falcons, needing just a field goal to seal the win, made a costly mistake when Dont’a Hightower strip-sacked Matt Ryan, giving Brady another chance.
- The Patriots marched down the field, with Julian Edelman making a miraculous, fingertip catch, setting up James White’s game-tying touchdown and two-point conversion to make it 28-28.
The game went into overtime—the first in Super Bowl history.
Overtime: Brady Seals the Legacy
Winning the coin toss, Brady took the field and led an 8-play, 75-yard drive, culminating in a James White rushing touchdown to complete the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. The Patriots had scored 31 unanswered points to claim victory 34-28.
Brady finished the game with:
- 466 passing yards (then a Super Bowl record)
- 43 completions (Super Bowl record)
- Two touchdowns and one interception
Legacy and Impact
This victory marked Brady’s fifth Super Bowl victory, surpassing Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw for the most by a quarterback. He also became the first player to win four Super Bowl MVPs.
Super Bowl LI redefined Brady’s career, proving his ability to perform under pressure. Many analysts and fans consider it the greatest game in Super Bowl history and the defining moment of Brady’s legendary career.
Brady went on to win two more Super Bowls (Super Bowl LIII with New England and Super Bowl LV with Tampa Bay) before retiring in 2023. However, his Super Bowl LI performance remains one of the most unbelievable displays of resilience and greatness in sports history.
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