Critical moments in Super Bowl LI

1

14:19 of the second quarter: LeGarrette Blount fumbles

After Tom Brady connected with Julian Edelman down to the Atlanta Falcons’ 33-yard line, Blount fumbled it all away on the next play. It was rookie linebacker Deion Jones stripping it from Blount, and five plays later, Devonta Freeman had a five-yard TD run for the game’s first points.

2

2:36 of the second quarter: Robert Alford’s pick-six

Just when it looked like a penaltyaided drive would get the Patriots back in the game, Brady looked for Danny Amendola over the middle deep in Falcons territory, but the Atlanta cornerback stepped in front and took it 82 yards the other way for a shocking touchdown.

3

8:43 of the third quarter: Malcolm Butler flagged for PI

Down 21-3, it looked like the Patriots had held the Falcons to a fieldgoal attempt inside their own 10yard line, but the Super Bowl XLIX hero was hit with a pass interference penalty to extend the drive and Atlanta ended up punching in a touchdown on the next play.

4

8:31 of the fourth quarter: Matt Ryan strip-sacked

Up by 16 points, the Falcons were looking to put the Patriots away. Instead, linebacker Dont’a Hightower bent the edge and got to the Atlanta quarterback, prying the ball loose to force the turnover and give his team a chance.

5

2:28 of the fourth quarter: Edelman’s circus catch

The Patriots have lost Super Bowls on circus catches — David Tyree, anyone? — but luck was on their side when Edelman snagged a bouncing football just before it hit the turf deep in Falcons in territory, allowing New England to eventually tie the game.