Fansided

Every NFL team’s most devastating loss of all time

By Jarrett Bailey

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after taking a sack in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions during the NFC Wildcard Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium on January 4, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after taking a sack in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions during the NFC Wildcard Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium on January 4, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: James White #28 of the New England Patriots scores getting past Jalen Collins #32 of the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: James White #28 of the New England Patriots scores getting past Jalen Collins #32 of the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Falcons: Super Bowl LI vs New England Patriots

Yeah, this one isn’t too difficult. Anytime a team blows a 25 point lead and loses in the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, it’s going to sting.

The Falcons opened up a huge first half lead over the New England Patriots. While the first quarter was scoreless, the Falcons took a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. The Patriots were marching and looked poised to score before Tom Brady threw a pick six to Robert Alford, giving the Falcons a 21-0 lead.

Atlanta scored in the middle of the third quarter in the form of a Tevin Coleman touchdown to make the game 28-3. Everyone and their mother assumed the game was over, but then Tom Brady happened.

New England scored on the next drive to make it 28-9, and a missed PAT kept the deficit at 19 points for the Patriots. A combination of good play calls by the Patriots and horrible clock management by the Falcons ensued. New England put up a field goal to make the game 28-12, and then the Falcons fumbled on the ensuing drive after a strip sack by Dont’a Hightower. The Patriots scored to make it 28-20 and eventually sent the game into overtime, winning on a James White touchdown run.

The Falcons found a way to blow a 25 point lead in a quarter and a half. It gave New England their fifth Super Bowl, and left the city of Atlanta stunned.

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