The Game Ball Thread: SB vs Atlanta

dcmissle

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So beyond the obvious, Brady and White -- Mitchell and Jules with the ridiculous catch ... Mitchell a big positive going forward
 

redsoxcentury

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Can we give a piece of game ball to bend don't break D and also Ghost for great kickoff with 57 seconds left?
 

Gunfighter 09

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I would also like to echo that Hightower really is an incredible player. He had the most important play of the game, non Brady/White division.
 

Tony C

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How about the refs too? Nothing to say. They let the players decide the game.
Exactly. A major game ball to the refs. They made some obvious but still tough calls. The holding against Long. The PI. Even the series of holding calls. Some people would say in a big game don't make those calls. They did. Well done.

Also Amendola deserves some love. 8 receptions on 11 targets and some of those catches were really tough, unlike the drops by Hogan/Edelman. And M. Bennett played like a beast.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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A Scud Away from Hell
That should shut up all the doubters about who the greatest QB of all time is !! Congrats to patriot nation #tommieboy! @wilfork75
 

steveluck7

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Re: the refs and the 3 defensive holding calls. It seemed like ATL was employing the Seattle "they can't call it every time" scheme. Those calls seemed like the refs taking a bit of control and making it clear that if ATL kept doing it, they would call it.
 

Jinhocho

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Ok back of envelope Math.

21-27 247 yards 2 passing TD for Brady in the 4th and OT tonight.

So combined with Seattle 4th quarter you end up with 34-42 371 yards and 4 passing TD.
 

Oppo

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Don't forget the refs f-ed up the extra point call. BB knew the rules there.
 

snowmanny

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I would also like to echo that Hightower really is an incredible player. He had the most important play of the game, non Brady/White division.
He did that in 49 as well, non Brady/Butler division, on 1st and goal.

Also, as mentioned upthread, Kyle Shanahan's choke job play-calling after the Julio catch.
 

snowmanny

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It's crazy that 49 was the previous greatest comeback win in SB history. That seemed pretty easy in retrospect. Also I think Brady has seven* go-ahead 4th quarter/OT drives in Super Bowls now (and now one game-tying), including two against Carolina and one against NYG in a loss. That is nuts.

*Fake edit: and counting.
 

Tony C

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just watching on replay and odd that Atlanta wasn't running the clock down in the 2nd half.

Also, news flash: a cheering Giselle is hot. Just sayin'....
 

singaporesoxfan

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It's crazy that 49 was the previous greatest comeback win in SB history. That seemed pretty easy in retrospect. Also I think Brady has seven* go-ahead 4th quarter/OT drives in Super Bowls now (and now one game-tying), including two against Carolina and one against NYG in a loss. That is nuts.

*Fake edit: and counting.
Brady now has more points in Super Bowl OTs (6 points in 1 Super Bowl) than in Super Bowl 1st Quarters (0 points in 7 Super Bowls).
 

esfr

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It didn't seem like a big deal at the time but Atlanta had 3 4Q injuries, each of which stopped the lock. They were very convenient.
 

Super Nomario

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Flowers was a monster - 2.5 sacks, 5 QB hits would be awesome, but factor in that Ryan only dropped back 28 times and it's stunning. In my opinion, his emergence is the biggest factor in the defense's improvement down the stretch.

Tons of big plays from a bunch of guys. Edelman, Amendola, Mitchell, Bennett, and Hogan all had between 4 and 8 catches and between 57 and 87 yards. Brady was spreading it around.
 

Manzivino

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Brady
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Hightower

Also want to recognize Amendola. In 2 SBs: 13 catches, 126 yards, 2 clutch TDs, one 2 point conversion to force OT. Glad he restructured to stay and chase more rings.
 

amarshal2

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Had to stop in there tonight. Matt Ryan NFL MVP. Jason Garrett HC of the Year. I'm a stats guy in life but in football, it just doesn't work. There's something different about TB and BB. There's a mental edge you just don't see. What a game, what a team, what a duo. GOATs!!!

Sorry, Atlanta. The Seattle tears were delicious but I just feel bad for Ryan and Co. Julio Jones was unbelievable. So were those running plays...man...it's really rare to see a team do that to the Pats. But it wasn't enough.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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I may be miscounting, but from losing or tied positions, Brady has now led eight game tying or go ahead drives in the fourth quarter and overtime of Super Bowls. That's like a season's worth or more.
 

McDrew

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Brady
White
Amendola, Edelman, Mitchell, Hogan, Bennett
Hightower, Sheard, McCourty/Ryan

The pankillers I just took because I accidentally punched my buddy's ceiling when they scored in OT.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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I came home for this game. Parents, beloved aunts and uncles at our house, Patriots fans all, save for our unfortunate Skins fan cousins who, despite their non-Falcons allegiance, had an unnatural foresight into what was to come.

Coming back...two two point conversions. Knew this day would be great when PP34 drained that three. So happy to have been with family (apologies to the wife (Giants fan)) for this. Hugs and handpounds all around.
 

wiffleballhero

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In the simulacrum
Maybe for one of the few times ever, as a real factor: experience.

Does anyone really think this comeback happens if there is not both a critical mass of players there from two years ago and then also TB and BB there to sort of create some focus in the moment and keep their noses to the grindstone all year so that have a shot at this kind of comeback. At the same time, does anyone really think the Pats would blow a 28-3 lead?

Experience really was a thing here, not just a Jeter-type bit of hype.
 

Mystic Merlin

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I love how BB will probably have two things eating away at him:

1.) The bullshit penalty on McClellin that foiled what was, technique wise, a great play that would've taken a point off the board for Atlanta.
2.) The onside kick that, in terms of play design, was actually really impressive and is one they probably recover 8 of 10 times or so.
 

Stitch01

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It's crazy that 49 was the previous greatest comeback win in SB history. That seemed pretty easy in retrospect. Also I think Brady has seven* go-ahead 4th quarter/OT drives in Super Bowls now (and now one game-tying), including two against Carolina and one against NYG in a loss. That is nuts.

*Fake edit: and counting.
They were 4.5 percent by win probability at low point in that one, was really an incredible comeback.