As expected, this was a game that was tied at the half and went down to the final play. The Patriots found themselves in a 10-point hole in the fourth quarter and, after giving up four-straight scoring drives, things were looking a little bleak as the Seahawks got the ball back.
First, I have to start with a 3rd-and-1 red zone stop of Marshawn Lynch, a play that everyone seems to forget about when talking about the last play of the game. Without this stop, we might’ve been looking at overtime. Siliga does a great job holding the POA while Ninkovich crashes down to make the stop.
Now we’re in the fourth quarter, and the Patriots had to get a stop to keep the game from slipping completely out of comeback reach. So this nextGIF, a Rob Ninkovich sack (thanks to great coverage) is the spark that ignited the rally.
The Seahawks punted, but things still weren’t looking good for the Pats after a sack on first down put them into a hole. This 3rd-and-14 conversion to Julian Edelman was one of the best plays of the game and Edelman paid a vicious price for making the catch. Without this play, the Pats probably would’ve lost.
Edelman makes another huge third-down catch on this same drive, and it almost look like a carbon cop of the last one. Brady climbs the pocket and shows great touch to set the Pats up inside the red zone. They’d score a touchdown two plays later to cut the lead to 24-21.
Seattle got the ball back with clinging to a three-point lead with momentum clearly on the Patriots’ side. Once again the defense rises to the challenge, forcing a three-and-out. Credit great initial coverage from Jamie Collins on this third down to get the ball back in Tom Brady’s hands.
The Patriots wouldn’t face a third down on the game-winning drive, due to a couple great plays to Rob Gronkowski. This one on 2nd-and-11 got the Pats into Seahawks territory and at least on the edge of field goal range.
Then this one to Gronk got them inside the red zone with the chance to take the lead. Everyone contributed on the last two drives, including Shane Vereen and Brandon LaFell, who would make the next two plays after this one. The Pats would take the 28-24 lead a couple plays later.
Once again, Tom Brady got the Patriots a lead in the Super Bowl and it came down to the defense getting a stop. After the miracle catch by Jermaine Kearse, the Seahawks were set up inside the 10 yard line. This stop on first down by Hightower and Chung was a championship-saver. Knowing now that Hightower was playing with a torn labrum makes it look even more impressive. Everyone will remember the last interception, but this gritty stop was every bit as important.
And of course, the play that everyone will remember for all of NFL history.
See the entire season of GIFS THAT DEFINED THE GAME here.
