Once the confetti settled at NRG Stadium, the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots were praised for playing one of the most-thrilling Super Bowl games. However, in the time between kickoff and celebration, there was reason to believe Super Bowl LI was next in line of a dud of an NFL playoff game this year.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Falcons took a 7-0 lead behind a Devonta Freeman touchdown. Atlanta put together on another scoring drive shortly after, and jumped out to a 21-0 lead on Robert Alford’s 82-yard interception return.
Stephen Gostkowski’s 41-yard field goal got the Patriots on the board just before halftime. Tom Brady’s quest to become the first quarterback in NFL history to win five Super Bowls appeared to be in real jeopardy.
While some were minting the Falcons as Super Bowl LI champions, Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson remained confident in Brady and the Patriots:
Tom Brady comes back and wins this game #bookit
— Joc Pederson (@yungjoc650) February 6, 2017
The Falcons’ lead grew to 28-3 with less than nine minutes remaining in the third quarter. With the Patriots still appearing listless, Pederson was unwavering even when questioned by Justin Turner:
@redturn2 dnt call it a comeback…
— Joc Pederson (@yungjoc650) February 6, 2017
Brady and the Patriots then proceeded to mount a historic comeback, capped off by two touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions to force the first overtime in Super Bowl history. That prompted another tweet from Pederson:
Tom Brady lives first this! #stillbooked
— Joc Pederson (@yungjoc650) February 6, 2017
The Patriots won the coin toss at the start of overtime, and went on a 75-yard scoring drive to win Super Bowl LI. Speaking during FanFest at Dodger Stadium, Pederson said he was hopeful the Falcons would come away victorious, but conceded it would likely be the Patriots.
