Greetings once again. I'm back to give you my thoughts on an unprecedented Super Bowl that took place Sunday evening. One which saw the first overtime in Super Bowl history, and arguably the biggest single-game choke in championship history.
First half of the game was virtually all Atlanta. Matt Ryan was on fire, they were running the ball, the front four of the Falcons defense got to Brady. It was unlike what we have seen in previous Super Bowls regarding the Patriots in the Belichick/Brady era. It was 21-3 at half and it seemed like this was going to be another Super Bowl blowout.
Then Lady Gaga stole the show at halftime, one of the better halftime performances we have ever seen (though nothing will top Prince in the rain in Miami ten years ago). Joe Buck, Fox broadcaster, did make one interesting point as the second half began; the Falcons had gone nearly an hour without an offensive possession before halftime.
That factor didn't seem like much of a big deal when in the Falcons second possession of the third quarter, they scored a touchdown to make it 28-3. After that, reports on social media came out the President Trump left his Super Bowl party at Mar-a-Lago, likely in disgust not only with the outcome of the game (he is friends with Brady and Patriots owner Robert Kraft), but with the bevvy of commercials which seemed like an indirect "bleep you" to him and his policies enacted since he took Office.
All of a sudden, it seemed like the Patriots had one of those moments that you would see in the WWE where the fan favorite comes alive out of nowhere after being down and out, and begins to rally. They got a touchdown, but missed the PAT. Then they got a FG. Suddenly it's a two possession game, and also the Falcons offense began to sputter. Then a fumble recovery, followed by another touchdown and a two-point conversion. One possession game. Then the turning point:
After a ridiculous catch by Julio Jones put the Falcons on the NE 22 with about four minutes left, the Falcons seemed in prime position to finish off the Patriots. Then a curious play call that led to Matt Ryan getting sacked for a loss of ten. Then an offensive holding penalty that knocked them back ten yards further. Instead of a game-sealing field goal they wound up punting with a little more than two minutes left.
Brady put together a critical drive helped by what was the opposite of the David Tyree catch that befell them in Super Bowl XLII, Julian Edelman's catch off a deflection that, had it not been for the leg of Robert Alford, would have been an incomplete pass. They would tie the game with a touchdown and another two-point conversion, and the Atlanta collapse was complete. Falcons did have one last possession in regulation, but two costly timeouts taken in the third quarter and an unsuccessful challenge off the Edelman catch left them with no time to stop the clock, so we had the first overtime period in Super Bowl history.
Patriots won the toss, methodically drove down the field, and won the game on a two yard James White touchdown. Completing not only the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, but also arguably the most epic choke in championship game history.
And to be honest, it couldn't happen to a better city or fanbase. As a fan of the Magic, Bucs and Gators, it's easy to dislike that city from a sports standpoint; Hawks, UGA, and of course the Pigeons, not to mention this city lost not one but TWO NHL teams, and the Braves, or should I say Barves, are just annoying (and they stole FSU's tomahawk chop). Their only championship came in 1995 against a team from that (until recently) was just as cursed with bad sports luck, Cleveland.
Let's face it, Atlanta (and probably Georgia as well) has taken loss after loss after loss, ever since General Sherman ran roughshot through Georgia in the Civil War. I already told you about their two hockey team failures. Jimmy Carter was a one-term president. The Hawks have never reached the NBA Finals since coming to Atlanta from St. Louis. They did host the Olympics (somehow), but the legacy of those games was marred by a terrorist attack. And the Braves hoodwinked the taxpayers of Cobb County into building them a new ballpark, even though their perfectly good now former home was merely twenty years old. Plus, Ryan Seacrest is from Atlanta, and on a personal note, I was born there; thankfully my father pulled up the stakes and relocated to Orlando within a year.
When someone brings up the question "which area has the most forlorn fanbase in all of sports?" The answer shouldn't be Cleveland, or Buffalo, or even San Diego. But Atlanta. Fair-weather fans? Check. Lack of titles? Check. Shady stadium deals? Check.
It isn't like the city has NOTHING going for them though; their film industry is vibrant, more so than Florida's (you taking notes, Gov. Voldemoort?). And of course, there is Coca-Cola (and even they tried to screw that up) and Chick-fil-A (which is still closed on Sundays) as well as many other major corporations based there. But as far as the Falcons are concerned, many football fans (who are sick and tired of the Patriots) have this to say to them:
Congratulations to the Patriots, and now we wait for next season.
CT
PS: I wonder if anyone has seen Tom Brady's Super Bowl jersey?
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