It Began To Turn In Third Quarter

The Falcons jumped out to a seemingly insurmountable second-half lead during SBLI, but the Patriots roared back in dramatic fashion, and Atlanta was unable to convert on a number of opportunities to turn the tide back in its favor. The Falcons were up 28-3 midway through the third quarter, but the Patriots offense, fuled by a defense that came up with several game-changing plays, caught fire. New England ultimately scored on five consecutive drives to finish with 31 unanswered points. With 8:31 left in regulation, and the Falcons ahead 28-12, the Patriots strip-sacked Matt Ryan and recovered the fumble – creating their first turnover of the contest. Tom Brady quickly led New England downfield for a touchdown and two-point conversion. With 4:47 on the clock, and Atlanta leading by eight, Ryan fired a 27-yard pass to Julio Jones that brought the Falcons to New England’s 22 – comfortably within Matt Bryant’s field goal range. It looked as though the Falcons might regain momentum and a two-score lead late in the game. But it was not to be. A sack moved Atlanta back 12 yards; a holding penalty on the ensuing snap pushed them even further in the wrong direction. Following an incomplete pass to Taylor Gabriel, the Falcons faced a fourth and long on New England's 45. Head coach Dan Quinn had no choice but to punt. Brady once again led the Patriots on a scoring drive, and once again, they found the end zone on their two-point try, knotting the game at 28. The Falcons had 53 seconds to score in regulation but were unable to move past midfield. New England got the ball first in OT and never let Atlanta’s offense get another opportunity.

It Began To Turn In Third Quarter

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