Robert Alford’s pick-six of Tom Brady extends Falcons lead in Super Bowl 51 (Video)

Robert Alford picked off Tom Brady and took the ball to the end zone for the touchdown.

The Atlanta Falcons defensive backs struggled during a second quarter drive by the New England Patriots. It seemed that on every third down play, the Falcons secondary would be called for holding on any of New England’s diminutive receivers. Their fortunes would change quickly, however, by cornerback Robert Alford.

As Tom Brady dropped back to pass, Alford swooped in and took the ball away for an interception. With only the slow-footed Brady and the Patriots offensive line waiting for Alford, he bolted by them and went to the end zone for an easy 82-yard pick-six. This gave the Falcons a 21-0 lead before halftime.

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What a turnaround here for the Falcons, who were stopping the Patriots, but had penalties hold them back. It swung the momentum back to Dan Quinn’s squad with just two minutes and 20 seconds in the second quarter.

Before this, the Falcons offense had looked crisp with Matt Ryan and Julio Jones connecting for multiple big passing plays. However, running back Devonta Freeman became the early star of the game with his 37-yard opening rush and subsequent touchdown in the opening minutes of the second quarter. The Patriots didn’t have much of an answer for him.

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Robert Alford then stepped in with his 82-yard pick-six and now has the Falcons ahead by 21 points. The biggest comeback in Super Bowl history is 10 points, so the Patriots have an unprecedented mountain to climb against one of the NFL’s top teams.