Page 19 - ARUBA TODAY

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SPORTS Monday 6 February 2017

Brady Amendola. Alford stepped
in and sprinted, then glided
Comeback 82 yards for the second-
Continued from page 17 longest pick-6 in a Super
Bowl — and Brady’s first.
Shockingly, it was 21-0.
Having never been in such New England gathered its
a pressurized environment, wits for a 52-yard drive to
their previously staunch Stephen Gostkowski’s 41-
pass rush disappeared, yard field goal. Still, it was
they stumbled on offense 21-3 when Lady Gaga took
and Brady tore them apart. the stage.
“Deflategate” far behind There was smoke hanging
them, Brady and coach over the field when both
Bill Belichick won their 25th
postseason game, by far a teams had three-and-
record. The Falcons added outs to open the third
to Atlanta’s long history of quarter. It was a mirage
pro sports frustration. regarding Ryan and Co.,
Belichick became the first who marched 85 yards
coach with five Super Bowl to Coleman’s 6-yard TD
crowns. catch on a swing pass.
The Patriots won the coin While New England scored
toss for overtime and it the next nine points on
was no contest. Brady James White’s 5-yard TD
completed six passes New England Patriots’ Julian Edelman makes a catch as Atlanta Falcons’ Ricardo Allen and Keanu reception — the extra point
against an overmatched Neal defend, during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, was missed by Gostkowski,
Falcons secondary. A pass in Houston. who later made a 33-yard
interference call took the Associated Press field goal.q
ball to the 2, and White scored a point in the first
scooted to his right and 15 minutes in Brady’s seven
barely over the goal line. Super Bowls.
His teammates streamed It sure looked as if the
off the sideline to engulf Patriots would get on the
White as confetti streamed board immediately in the
down from the NRG second period as Brady
Stadium rafters. and Edelman connected
It was almost an impossible twice for 40 yards.
dream for the Patriots a bit But Blount’s fumble turned
earlier. But helped by Matt the momentum to the
Ryan’s fumble on a sack, a Falcons, who then took
Edelman’s catch off of their biggest lead in a
a defender’s shoe, and Super Bowl — yeah, we
Brady’s passing, they never know, they have been here
stopped coming. only twice — on Freeman’s
White scored three 5-yard run to cap a quick
touchdowns and had 71-yard drive on which
14 receptions for 110 Jones came alive.
yards, but Brady hit seven Jones showed why he is
an All-Pro receiver with a
different receivers. tough leaping catch over
Until the Patriots took the middle for 19 yards,
charge with their late then got open on the
surge, league MVP Ryan sideline for 23. Freeman did
was outplaying Brady. It the rest.
didn’t last. Before New England could
Atlanta’s string of catch its breath, Ryan had
touchdowns on its the Falcons up by 14. Using
opening drive ended at the no-huddle attack to
eight, though Devonta perfection, he threw for
Freeman sprinted for 37 51 yards on a 52-yard
yards on the Falcons’ drive, hitting Hooper with
first offensive play. The a pinpoint pass in the left
drive was stunted when side of the end zone.
Ryan was sacked by Trey Then Brady was victimized
Flowers, New England’s by his own poor decision,
leader in that category. a rarity on the big stage.
Then it was Atlanta’s D that Atlanta was called for
went sacks-happy, getting defensive holding three
two on the Patriots’ next times on third downs to
drive in what would be a keep the drive alive. From
scoreless opening quarter. the Falcons 23, under
Who expected that? Well, pressure Brady tried to
New England has not squeeze a throw to Danny