The Five Unforgettable Legacies Of The 2017 Super Bowl Winner: The Greatest Comeback In NFL History

The New England Patriots secured the title of the 2017 Super Bowl winner, but the victory in Super Bowl LI (51) over the Atlanta Falcons on February 5, 2017, was far more than just a win. It was a cultural and historical moment that redefined the concept of an NFL comeback. Played at NRG Stadium in Houston, the game's final score of 34-28 in overtime remains the single most iconic and dramatic turnaround in the history of professional football, forever immortalized by the scoreline "28-3."

As of today, December 18, 2025, the shadow of Super Bowl LI continues to influence the league, with the key figures from that fateful night—from quarterback legends to head coaches—now holding vastly different, yet equally prominent, positions across the NFL landscape. The game not only solidified the New England Patriots’ dynasty but also created a defining moment for every player and coach involved, a moment that shapes their careers even years later.

The Definitive Super Bowl LI (2017) Game Summary and Key Personnel

Super Bowl LI pitted the AFC Champion New England Patriots against the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons. The game was a clash of offensive titans, featuring the veteran leadership of quarterback Tom Brady against the reigning NFL MVP, Matt Ryan.

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• Winner: New England Patriots
• Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
• Final Score: 34-28 (Overtime)
• Date: February 5, 2017
• Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
• Super Bowl MVP: Tom Brady (Quarterback, Patriots)
• Patriots Head Coach: Bill Belichick
• Falcons Head Coach: Dan Quinn
• Key Patriots Players: Tom Brady, James White, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski (inactive due to injury)
• Key Falcons Players: Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, Vic Beasley

The Unthinkable: Anatomy of the 28-3 Comeback

For the first two and a half quarters, the game was a complete rout. The Atlanta Falcons, led by an explosive offense orchestrated by offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, dominated the Patriots' defense. They built a commanding 28-3 lead with 8:36 left in the third quarter after a touchdown by Tevin Coleman.

What followed was a historic collapse by the Falcons and an unprecedented surge by the Patriots. The comeback was not a single event but a series of critical, high-leverage plays that swung the momentum irreversibly.

• The Turning Point: The Patriots' defense began to apply relentless pressure, culminating in a strip-sack on Matt Ryan by Dont'a Hightower, which was recovered by Alan Branch. This turnover directly led to a Patriots touchdown, narrowing the score to 28-20. This was the moment the comeback became a real possibility.
• The Impossible Catch: With the Patriots driving late in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Julian Edelman made one of the most miraculous catches in Super Bowl history. The ball was tipped by a Falcons defender, but Edelman somehow managed to pin it against a defender's leg and then secure it inches above the turf, keeping the drive alive.
• The Overtime Drive: After tying the game at 28-28 with a successful two-point conversion in the final minute of regulation, the Patriots won the coin toss for overtime—the first-ever Super Bowl to reach the extra period. Tom Brady then surgically led the offense down the field on an eight-play, 75-yard drive. Running back James White punched the ball into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, securing the 34-28 victory.

Five Enduring Legacies of the 2017 Super Bowl Winner

Super Bowl LI's result transcended a simple championship win. It created a series of long-lasting narratives and career-defining moments that are still discussed in the NFL today. This game is a pivotal reference point for the careers of its most prominent figures.

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1. The Definitive "GOAT" Status of Tom Brady

The comeback cemented Tom Brady's legacy as the greatest quarterback of all time (GOAT). His performance in Super Bowl LI, where he set a Super Bowl record with 466 passing yards and led a 25-point rally, earned him his fourth Super Bowl MVP award and fifth Super Bowl ring. This victory was a defining moment in the Patriots Dynasty, showcasing Brady's clutch gene and mental fortitude under the highest pressure. He would go on to win two more Super Bowls—one more with the Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—before his eventual retirement, making his seven Super Bowl wins an unbreakable record.

2. The Birth of the "28-3" Meme and the Falcons' Curse

For the Atlanta Falcons, the loss became a career-defining tragedy. The score "28-3" immediately entered the sports lexicon as a shorthand for an epic, soul-crushing collapse. Despite quarterback Matt Ryan’s MVP season and an excellent offensive performance in the first half, the team’s inability to maintain the lead cast a long shadow over the franchise. Ryan, who recently announced his retirement from the NFL, is often unfairly judged by this single game, despite having one of the highest passer ratings in Super Bowl history before the collapse.

3. James White's Record-Breaking Performance

While Tom Brady took the MVP award, running back James White was arguably the true offensive hero of the comeback. White set a Super Bowl record for total points scored by a single player (20 points, including three touchdowns and a two-point conversion) and recorded a Super Bowl record 14 receptions. His game-winning touchdown run secured the victory. White, a quintessential Patriot, retired a few years later, but his performance in Super Bowl LI remains one of the most underrated, clutch performances in championship history.

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4. The Divergent Coaching Paths of Quinn and Shanahan

The coaching staff of the Atlanta Falcons saw their careers take dramatically different turns immediately after the loss. Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who had called the plays for the high-flying Falcons offense, was hired as the Head Coach of the San Francisco 49ers just days after the Super Bowl. Despite the loss, his offensive genius was recognized, and he has since led the 49ers to multiple NFC Championship appearances.

Head Coach Dan Quinn remained with the Falcons until 2020 before being fired. He then rebuilt his reputation as the Defensive Coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. In a major and recent development, Quinn was hired as the Head Coach of the Washington Commanders in February 2024, proving that the coaching carousel eventually gave him a second chance at a top job in the league. This is a testament to the resilience and enduring quality of both coaches despite the devastating loss.

5. The Enduring Iconography of the Julian Edelman Catch

Beyond the score, the game is remembered for its spectacular moments. Julian Edelman's gravity-defying, tipped-ball catch in the fourth quarter is often cited alongside David Tyree’s helmet catch as one of the most improbable and clutch receptions in Super Bowl history. This play, which converted a critical third down, was essential to the game-tying drive and remains a highlight reel staple, defining Edelman's legacy as a fearless, high-stakes performer before his own retirement.

Super Bowl LI: A Timeless Classic

The 2017 Super Bowl winner, the New England Patriots, earned their title in a fashion that may never be replicated. The game was a perfect storm of drama, high stakes, and historic achievement, providing a definitive chapter for the careers of Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the entire Patriots organization. The 28-3 comeback is not just a statistic; it is a cultural touchstone that defines an era of NFL football, a constant reminder of the fine line between victory and defeat, and the enduring power of a comeback victory.