Sunday night, February 5, marked the 51st Super Bowl game to be played, yet only the first one to go into overtime. Never before has the NFL seen extra minutes in a Super Bowl game nor a greater comeback than in the game played on Sunday.

This year the New England Patriots were pitted against the Atlanta Falcons in a winner-take-all. The ultimate prize being the infamous Lombardi Trophy.

Together New England coach, Bill Belichick, and quarterback, Tom Brady, have become an iconic duo, dominating the league over the past 10 years. Prior to the game, Brady and Belichick had seven Super Bowl appearances, four of which were wins. On Sunday night, Brady and Belichick became the first quarterback and coach in the NFL to wear that fifth Super Bowl ring.

Not only did Brady earn his fifth Super Bowl title, but he also lead his team in possibly the greatest comeback in history, even outdoing himself from the upset against the St. Louis Rams back in 2001.

Leading New England 28-3 with six minutes left in the third quarter, the Falcons were eager to accept the franchise’s very first Super Bowl trophy. Matt Ryan, Atlanta quarterback and league MVP, dominated the field and threw picture perfect passes to his receivers. All while their defense was dominating New England.

But Brady did not go down without a fight. As Atlanta’s pass rush crumbled, the Patriots’ offense attacked the weak points in the Falcon’s defense.

After a couple of touchdowns, a handle of penalties against Atlanta’s defense, and one outstanding catch made by Julian Edelman to give his team life, the Patriots found themselves in an unthinkable situation with one minute remaining in regulation.

New England running-back, James White, rushed into the end zone for a touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion attempt. The New England Patriots tied the game 28-28 sending the teams into sudden death OT.

It almost seemed destined that the Patriots would win the coin toss and score a touchdown to win the game 34-28, after multiple hard-hitting drives.

Ryan let the game slip away from him. He excelled in the first half with a perfect passer rating only to be  shut down in the second by New England. Other than bad clock management throughout the game, Atlanta’s offense just could not stay on the field, which left plenty of time for Brady to stage his comeback.

Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, lead his team to possibly the greatest comeback in the league’s history. One more Super Bowl down and the Brady and Belichick empire still stands, but this year with a newly polished fifth ring on top.

There is no doubt about it, the New England Patriots earned their right to be champions of Super Bowl LI.