Whats happening world?!?!? The day after what should be known as a National Holiday has brought insight to the world of the NFL. First and foremost, congratulations to the New England Patriots. What-a-game! It was the tale of two halves (literally). The first half seemed like all the adrenaline from pregame hype to Luke Bryan singing the National Anthem with class, to the first kick off. We watched a what was call "struggling" Falcons defense stop Tom Brady's offense and made them punt after a 3 and out. Then here comes that hot Atlanta offense. Devonta Freeman runs for 37 yards on the Falcons first offensive play of the game. Then the Patriots Defense who gave up an average of 15.6 per game decided they wanted to play. The Falcons punt. Both teams punt on their next possessions, leads up to the Pats closing out the first quarter with the ball on their side of the 50 to end a scoreless first quarter. The first play of the second quarter, Brady goes deep to Julian Edelman for 27 yards to the Atlanta 33. Just as it seems the Patriots are going to get on the board first, Deion Jones from the Falcons strips LeGarrette Blunt and Robert Alford recovers the ball. The Falcons march down the field and Freeman runs in it from 5 yards. 7-0 no big deal right? The Pats go 3 and out, punt the ball and Matty Ice (Matt Ryan) finds Austin Hooper 19 yards out for another TD. Now 14 points down is nothing to Tom Brady, especially in the first half. Then Brady marches his team down the field to throw a pick six to Robert Alford. 21-0. Now everyone is scratching their heads and thinking how is this possible. Brady who is already referred to by many as the GOAT, down by 21. How? HOW? Who in their right minds would have predicted this? Patriots go on an 11 play 52 yard drive and kick a field goal. 21-3 at half. Half time show was nothing less that amazing. Lady Gaga put on a show! She literally dove off the top of the building! Sitting on the couch I am thinking Brady will put his team right back in it immediately. The teams exchanged a couple of punts to start off the second half. Then Matt Ryan leads the Falcons down the field and Tevin Coleman punches in the TD from 6 yards out. 28-3 with just over 8 minutes in the third quarter to play. Its over. 4 TD's is too much to come back from, and Atlanta has the momentum. Just as I am sitting there thinking it, a buddy of mine says its over. I reply and say watch somehow Tom Brady will get back into this game. Sure enough 13 play drive by Tom and James White catches a 5 yard pass for the score. Gostkowski misses the point after and its 28-9. The Falcons go 3 and out, punt the ball away . Brady goes down the field in 12 plays and settle for a field goal. 28-12 Falcons. Next drive the Falcons fumble the ball. Matty Ice gets hit as he is bringing his arm back to throw and loses the ball, Pats recover. 5 Plays later, Danny Amendola catches a 6 yard pass for the score. A direct snap to White allows him to push it in for he 2 point conversion. 28-20 Falcons. Literally, less than 6 minutes to play and the Falcons are getting the ball back. All they need to do is set up a good drive and eat some time off the clock. First play of the drive Matt Ryan passes the ball to Devonta Freeman for 39 years to the Falcons 49. 2 plays later Ryan runs up the gut and before the line of scrimmage guns a ball down the field to Julio Jones, who makes a wild catch, taps both feet in at the 22 of the Pats for a 27 yard gain. Now all you have to do is run the ball 3 times eat the clock or make the Patriots use their times outs. If you run the ball the less of a chance of a penalty, and you are in field goal range already. Nope the Falcons decide to go for a pass and Ryan gets sacked for 12 yard loss, on second down. Still in field goal range, run the ball. I literally screamed "IF YOU PASS THE BALL ON THIS PLAY YOU WILL REGRET IT". Matt Ryan tosses the ball for 9 yards, but wait there is a penalty. Holding on the offense. Puts them out of Field Goal range. Incomplete pass leads to a punt with just over 3 and a half to play in the game. Lets put it in the hands of probably the GOAT. 10 plays later, (including one miraculous catch by Edelman), Brady gives it to White and he pounds it in from 1 yard out. 2 point conversion is for sure. Brady to Amendola is good. We are tied. You have to be kidding me right. Did this really happen? Right then and there I looked up at my buddy and said the Patriots are going to win. Now ladies and gentlemen, we have the first ever Super Bowl Overtime. Pats win the toss, march down the field and score a touchdown. Pats get the comeback win and now are the champs.
How did Atlanta lose this game? 28-3, 28-9, even 28-12. Devonta Freeman is a beast. How do you not just give him the ball 3 times when you are at the 22 of the Patriots late in the 4th quarter. Kyle Shanahan, who is said to be the best Offensive Coordinator in the league should have done a better job at managing the game that late. 1 field goal away from pretty much putting the game away. Instead he calls 2 passing plays. A sack and penalty for holding cost them the game. Maybe Atlanta is not meant to be a championship city. 1 Championship in the city's history. The 1995 Atlanta braves won the world series 4-2 over the Cleveland Indian. The City has to be devastated, even tho they have felt this way before. The Denver Broncos beat them in Superbowl XXXIII 34-19.
Is Tom Brady the Greatest Of All Time? NFL wise, maybe. Joe Montana might have something to say about it. He has never lost in the Super Bowl. Terry Bradshaw won 4 championships in 6 years. Troy Aikman won 3 in 4 years, but 5, 5 championships by a single player. Honestly He could be one of the greatest athletes ever, in all sports. As a "Diehard" I can say I never rooted or even considered the idea of saying this, but in my opinion Tom Brady has to go down as the Greatest football player ever.
I want to thank you for taking time out of your day to read my first ever blog. Follow me on twitter @Alujan1985. Also you can follow me on snapchat @alujan1985
Anthony Lujan
References: https://en.wikipedia.org, http://www.espn.com/, https://www.google.com/
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