Examine individual changes

'{{short description|2017 edition of the Super Bowl}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL game | type = sb | name = LI | image = Super Bowl LI logo.svg | image_size = 200px | caption = | visitor = [[2016 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] | visitor_abbr = NE | visitor_conf = [[American Football Conference|AFC]] | visitor_coach = [[Bill Belichick]] | visitor_record = 14–2 | visitor_place = 1 | home = [[2016 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]] | home_abbr = ATL | home_conf = [[National Football Conference|NFC]] | home_coach = [[Dan Quinn (American football)|Dan Quinn]] | home_record = 11–5 | home_place = 2 | visitor_qtr1 = 0 | visitor_qtr2 = 3 | visitor_qtr3 = 6 | visitor_qtr4 = 19 | visitor_qtr5 = 6 | home_qtr1 = 0 | home_qtr2 = 21 | home_qtr3 = 7 | home_qtr4 = 0 | home_qtr5 = 0 | date = February 5, 2017 | stadium = [[NRG Stadium]] | city = [[Houston|Houston, Texas]] | attendance = 70,807<ref>{{cite web|title=Super Bowl LI Game Summary|url=http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57167/ATL_Gamebook.pdf|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref> | odds = Patriots by 3<ref>{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Cody|title=Super Bowl 51: Patriots Open As Favorites Over Falcons|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/super-bowl-51-patriots-open-as-favorites-over-falcons-012217|publisher=[[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]]|date=January 22, 2017|access-date=January 23, 2017}}</ref> | MVP = [[Tom Brady]], [[quarterback]] | anthem = [[Luke Bryan]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Luke Bryan to sing the National Anthem at Super Bowl LI on Fox|url=https://nflcommunications.com/Pages/LUKE-BRYAN-TO-SING-THE-NATIONAL-ANTHEM--AT-SUPER-BOWL-LI-ON-FOX.aspx|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFLCommunications.com|date=February 3, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> | coin_toss = Former [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[George H. W. Bush]],<br />Former [[First Lady of the United States|U.S. First Lady]] [[Barbara Bush]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chasmar|first1=Jessica|title=George H.W. Bush to flip coin at Super Bowl LI|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/feb/1/george-hw-bush-to-flip-coin-at-super-bowl-li/|newspaper=[[The Washington Times]]|date=February 3, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> | referee = [[Carl Cheffers]]<ref name="Super Bowl 51 officials"/> | HOFers = | halftime = [[Lady Gaga]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Lady Gaga headlines Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl LI Halftime Show|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000711980/article/lady-gaga-headlines-pepsi-zero-sugar-super-bowl-li-halftime-show|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=September 29, 2016|access-date=September 29, 2016}}</ref> | network = [[Fox NFL|Fox]] | announcers = [[Joe Buck]] (play-by-play)<br />[[Troy Aikman]] (analyst)<br />[[Erin Andrews]] and [[Chris Myers]] (sideline reporters) | rating = 48.8 (national)<br /> 57.0 (Atlanta)<br /> 54.3 (Boston)<br />U.S. viewership: 111.3&nbsp;million est. avg.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ratings: Super Bowl LI Posts Huge Numbers, Just Shy of Record (Updated)|url=https://www.yahoo.com/tv/ratings-super-bowl-li-posts-huge-numbers-just-154243304.html|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|date=February 6, 2017|accessdate=February 7, 2017}}</ref> | share = | commercial = $5.02&nbsp;million | radio = [[NFL on Westwood One Sports|Westwood One]] | radioannouncers = [[Kevin Harlan]] (play-by-play)<br />[[Boomer Esiason]] (analyst)<br />[[James Lofton]] and [[Tony Boselli]] (sideline reporters) | last = 50 | next = LII }} '''Super Bowl LI''' was an [[American football]] game played at [[NRG Stadium]] in [[Houston|Houston, Texas]], on February 5, 2017,<ref>{{cite news|title=Houston Super Bowl Host Committee announces date of Super Bowl LI|url=http://abc13.com/734622/|accessdate=May 21, 2015|work=[[KTRK-TV]]|publisher=American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.|date=May 21, 2015|location=[[Houston]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Clayton|first=John|title=Ranking all 51 Super Bowls|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/14660038/ranking-all-51-super-bowls-new-england-patriots-comeback-atlanta-falcons-ranks-best-ever|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=February 5, 2017|accessdate=February 6, 2017|location=[[Houston]]}}</ref> to determine the champion of the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for the [[2016 NFL season|2016 season]]. The [[American Football Conference]] (AFC) champion [[2016 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]], after trailing by as many as 25 points (28–3) during the third quarter, defeated the [[National Football Conference]] (NFC) champion [[2016 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]], 34–28 in [[overtime (sports)|overtime]]. As such, the game is often known as '''"28–3"''' after the Falcons' blown lead. The Patriots' 25-point comeback is the largest comeback in [[Super Bowl]] history,<ref name=footballdb>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2017020501|title=Super Bowl LI Box Score|work=The Football Database|publisher=Patrick Gilligan|date=February 5, 2017|accessdate=February 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wesseling|first=Chris|title=Patriots erase deficit, defeat Falcons in Super Bowl LI|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000783692/article/patriots-erase-deficit-defeat-falcons-in-super-bowl-li|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=July 22, 2017}}</ref> and Super Bowl LI was the first to be decided in overtime.<ref>{{cite news|title=Falcons-Patriots first teams to play in SB overtime|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000783676/article/falconspatriots-first-teams-to-play-in-sb-overtime|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Boren|first=Cindy|title=What happens in overtime in the Super Bowl?|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/02/05/what-happens-in-overtime-in-the-super-bowl-we-may-be-about-to-find-out/|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=February 5, 2017 |accessdate=February 6, 2017}}</ref> The Patriots' victory was their fifth, and moved them into a three-way tie with the [[Dallas Cowboys]] and the [[San Francisco 49ers]] for second place on the all-time Super Bowl wins list, and at that time, trailing only the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] who have six victories. New England, after finishing the regular season with a league-best 14–2 record, advanced to their [[list of Super Bowl champions|record-setting ninth Super Bowl appearance]], their second in three years, and their seventh under the leadership of head coach [[Bill Belichick]] and quarterback [[Tom Brady]]. The Falcons entered the game after completing an 11–5 regular season record, and were trying to win their first Super Bowl title, having lost their only previous appearance in [[Super Bowl XXXIII]]. After a scoreless first quarter, Atlanta scored 21 points before New England made a field goal with two seconds left in the second quarter, to make it a 21–3 halftime lead. The Falcons then increased their lead to 28–3 midway through the third quarter, with quarterback [[Matt Ryan (American football)|Matt Ryan]] completing his second touchdown pass. The Patriots then scored 25 unanswered points to tie the game at 28–28 with 57 seconds left in regulation. New England won the overtime coin toss, received the kickoff and drove 75 yards to win with a 2-yard touchdown run by running back [[James White (running back)|James White]]. When the game ended, more than 30 team and individual Super Bowl records had been either broken or matched.<ref name="BergmanNFL">{{cite news|last=Bergman|first=Jeremy|title=At least 30 records set or tied in Super Bowl LI|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000783986/article/at-least-30-records-set-or-tied-in-super-bowl-li|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=February 6, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017|language=en}}</ref> White's 14 receptions and his 20 points scored (from 3 touchdowns and a two-point conversion) were among these broken records.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dozens of records were set or tied in Super Bowl LI. The list …|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/02/06/records-were-set-tied-super-bowl-li-patriots/|website=The Denver Post|publisher=Digital First Media|accessdate=February 20, 2017}}</ref> New England Patriots quarterback [[Tom Brady]], who also broke single-game Super Bowl records with 43 completed passes, 62 pass attempts, and 466 passing yards, was named [[Super Bowl MVP]] for a record fourth time. [[Fox NFL|Fox]]'s broadcast of the game averaged around 111.3&nbsp;million viewers, slightly down from the 111.9&nbsp;million viewers of the previous year's Super Bowl, while the total number of viewers for all or part of the game hit a record number of 172&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/811507-super-bowl-li-audience-hits-a-record-172-million-viewers|title=Super Bowl LI Audience Hits a Record 172 Million Viewers|date=February 6, 2017|work=ComingSoon.net|access-date=September 15, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="lat-ratings"/> Average TV viewership for the [[Super Bowl LI halftime show|halftime show]], headlined by [[Lady Gaga]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/05/entertainment/lady-gaga-super-bowl-halftime-show-2017/index.html|title=Lady Gaga brings message of inclusion to Super Bowl halftime -- oh, and drones|first=Chloe|last=Melas|publisher=CNN|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref> was higher at 117.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Super Bowl LI Pulls in 111.3 Million Viewers on Fox, Shy of 2015 Ratings Record|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/super-bowl-li-ratings-patriots-falcons-24-1201978629/|accessdate=February 6, 2017|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=February 6, 2017|last=Schwindt|first=Oriana}}</ref> On the following day a number of media outlets immediately hailed the game as the greatest Super Bowl of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/feb/06/super-bowl-51-patriots-falcons-best-ever |title=Simply, the best Super Bowl ever |first=Les|last=Carpenter|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=February 6, 2017|accessdate=December 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/best-super-bowls-history-patriots-falcons-comeback-51-2017/neloim73216d1kuxjp8e8o4fn |title=Seeing is believing: Patriots' comeback made for best Super Bowl ever |first=David |last=Steele |work=[[Sporting News]] |date=February 6, 2017 |accessdate=December 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Gagnon">{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2691357-super-bowl-li-was-the-best-ever |title=Super Bowl LI Was the Best Ever |first=Brad |last=Gagnon |publisher=[[Bleacher Report]] |date=February 6, 2017 |accessdate=December 6, 2017}}</ref> ==Background== ===Host-selection process=== [[File:NRG stadium prepared for Super Bowl Li (32513086661).jpg|thumb|[[NRG Stadium]] in January 2017]] The NFL selected the sites for [[Super Bowl 50]] and Super Bowl LI at the owners' spring meetings in [[Boston]] on May 21, 2013.<ref name=pft328/> On October 16, 2012, the NFL announced that [[NRG Stadium|Reliant Stadium]] in Houston, which was renamed NRG Stadium in 2014, was a finalist to host Super Bowl LI.<ref name="SA20121016" >{{cite news|last=McClain|first=John|title=Houston a finalist to host Super Bowl LI in 2017|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/cowboys/article/Houston-a-finalist-to-host-Super-Bowl-LI-in-2017-3954532.php|accessdate=October 22, 2012|work=[[San Antonio Express-News]]|date=October 16, 2012|location=[[Houston]]}}</ref> Houston then competed against the runner-up for the site of Super Bowl 50: [[Sun Life Stadium|Hard Rock Stadium]] in [[Miami Gardens, Florida]].<ref name=pft328>{{cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/28/nfl-plans-spectacular-super-bowl-l/|title=NFL plans "spectacular" Super Bowl L |work=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports|accessdate=October 9, 2012}}</ref><ref name=SA20121016/> The South Florida bid for either Super Bowl partially depended on whether the stadium underwent renovations. However, on May 3, the [[Florida Legislature]] refused to approve the funding plan to pay for the renovations, dealing a blow to South Florida's chances.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fla. Legislature refuses to aid Fins|url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9240615/florida-legislature-refuses-help-aid-miami-dolphins|agency=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN|date=May 3, 2013|accessdate=May 3, 2013}}</ref> The NFL ultimately selected Houston as the host city of Super Bowl LI.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rosenthal|first=Gregg|title=San Francisco awarded Super Bowl L; Houston lands LI|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000205086/article/san-francisco-awarded-super-bowl-l-houston-lands-li|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=May 21, 2013|access-date=May 21, 2013}}</ref> This was the second Super Bowl to be held at NRG Stadium, the other being [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]] in 2004, which also featured the [[2003 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] against [[2003 NFL season|that season's]] [[NFC South]] champion [[2003 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]]. It was also the third time the Super Bowl has been played in Houston, with [[Super Bowl VIII]] in 1974 having been held at [[Rice Stadium (Rice University)|Rice Stadium]]. With the [[Houston Astros|Astros]] baseball team reaching the [[2017 World Series|World Series]] eight months later, Houston would become just the fourth city to host both the Super Bowl and Fall Classic in the same calendar year, following [[San Diego]] (1998), [[Detroit]] (2006) and [[Arlington, Texas]] (2011), and the first among the four to win the [[Major League Baseball]] championship. ====Proposition 1 controversy==== [[Houston, Texas Proposition 1, 2015|Proposition 1]], an ordinance which would have prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in Houston's housing, employment, public accommodations, and city contracting, was rejected by voters (60.97% opposing<ref>{{cite web|title=Cumulative Report, Harris County, Texas, General and Special Elections|date=November 3, 2015|at=9 |publisher=HARRISVotes.com|url=http://www.harrisvotes.com/HISTORY/20151103/cumulative/cumulative.pdf#page=9}}</ref>) during the [[United States elections, 2015|November 3, 2015 elections]]. Subsequently, the NFL announced it would not alter plans to have the city host Super Bowl LI.<ref name="robinson1" >{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Charles|title=NFL won't alter Houston Super Bowl plans after city's repeal of non-discrimination law|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl-won-t-alter-houston-super-bowl-plans-after-city-s-repeal-of-non-discrimination-law-223940728.html|publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|accessdate=November 7, 2015|location=[[Houston]]|date=November 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Gryboski|first1=Michael|title=Former Astros Star Speaks Out Against Houston's Transgender Bathroom Ordinance|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/astros-lance-berkman-transgender-bathroom-houston-147872/|website=Christian Post|accessdate=February 11, 2016|date=October 18, 2015}}</ref> [[Houston Texans]] owner [[Bob McNair]] donated $10,000 to Campaign for Houston, an organization that opposes the ordinance, which he later rescinded.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gibbs |first=Lindsay |url=http://thinkprogress.org/sports/2015/10/16/3713392/texans-owner-lgbt-rights/|title=Texans Owner Donates $10,000 To Fight LGBT Protections In Houston|publisher=ThinkProgress.org|date=October 16, 2015|accessdate=December 28, 2015}}</ref> ===Teams=== ====New England Patriots==== {{main|2016 New England Patriots season}} [[File:Tom Brady 2011.JPG|thumb|upright|Patriots quarterback [[Tom Brady]] was playing in a record seventh Super Bowl.]] In 2016, New England tied an NFL record, earning 12+ wins for the seventh consecutive season. Even though starting quarterback [[Tom Brady]] was suspended for the first four games, and All-Pro tight end [[Rob Gronkowski]] was lost to injury in midseason, the Patriots still recorded an NFL-best 14–2 record; their only losses were a shutout loss to the [[2016 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] in Week 4 and a loss to the [[2016 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] in Week 10. They scored 441 points (third in the NFL) while allowing the fewest in the league (250).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/|title=Boston/New England Patriots Team Encyclopedia - Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=}}</ref> Brady missed the first four games of the year on suspension due to a 2014 postseason incident known as [[Deflategate]]. [[Jimmy Garoppolo]] and [[Jacoby Brissett]] each started two games in Brady's place. After his suspension ended, Brady took back command of the offense and went on to earn his 12th [[2017 Pro Bowl|Pro Bowl]] selection, passing for 3,554 yards and 28 touchdowns, with only two interceptions, while his 112.2 passer rating ranked second in the NFL. The team's leading receiver was [[Julian Edelman]], who caught 98 passes for 1,106 yards and added 135 more returning punts. Wide receivers [[Chris Hogan (American football)|Chris Hogan]] (38 receptions for 680 yards) and [[Malcolm Mitchell]] (32 receptions for 401 yards) were also significant receiving threats. Gronkowski caught 25 passes for 540 yards before suffering a season-ending back injury in week 13. Tight end [[Martellus Bennett]] stepped up in his absence, hauling in 55 receptions for 701 yards and a team-leading seven touchdown catches. Running back [[LeGarrette Blount]] was the team's top rusher with 1,168 yards and a league-leading 18 touchdowns. In passing situations, the team relied heavily on running back [[James White (running back)|James White]], who caught 60 passes for 551 yards and added another 166 on the ground.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2016.htm|title=2016 New England Patriots Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=}}</ref> Running back [[Dion Lewis]] was also a valuable asset to the offense, rushing for 283 yards on offense and catching 17 passes for 94 yards.<ref name="auto"/> Despite trading [[All-Pro]] outside linebacker [[Jamie Collins (American football)|Jamie Collins]] to the [[2016 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] in the middle of the season, the Patriots defensive line was led by tackle [[Trey Flowers]], who ranked first on the team with seven quarterback sacks, and [[Jabaal Sheard]], who recorded five sacks of his own. Linebacker [[Dont'a Hightower]] earned his first Pro Bowl selection and made the second All-Pro team, compiling 65 tackles and 2½ sacks. Linebacker [[Rob Ninkovich]] also made a big impact, recording 34 tackles, two forced fumbles, and four sacks. In the secondary, cornerback [[Malcolm Butler]] led the team with four interceptions, while [[Logan Ryan]] led the team in tackles and intercepted two passes. Safety [[Devin McCourty]] ranked second on the team with 83 tackles and notched one interception while earning his third career Pro Bowl selection. The team also had a defensive expert on special teams, [[Matthew Slater]], who made the Pro Bowl for the sixth consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/12/20/four-patriots-selected-nfl-pro-bowl-squad|title=Four Patriots Selected to NFL Pro Bowl Squad|date=December 20, 2016|publisher=New England Patriots}}</ref> By advancing to play in Super Bowl LI, the Patriots earned their NFL-record [[list of Super Bowl champions|ninth Super Bowl appearance]], as well as their seventh in the past 16 years under Brady and head coach [[Bill Belichick]]. The Patriots have also participated in the only other Super Bowl to be held at NRG Stadium; they won [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]] over the [[2003 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]] by a 32–29 score 13 years earlier. The Patriots entered Super Bowl LI with an overall record of 4–4 in their previous eight Super Bowl appearances, with all four of their wins and two of their four losses coming under the leadership of Belichick and Brady.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BeliBi0.htm|title=Bill Belichick Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks - Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=}}</ref> With his appearance in Super Bowl LI, Belichick broke the tie of six Super Bowls as a head coach that he had shared with [[Don Shula]]. It was also his record tenth participation in a Super Bowl in any capacity, which overtook the mark of nine that he had shared with [[Dan Reeves]]. This was also Brady's seventh Super Bowl appearance, the most appearances by a player in Super Bowl history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/01/06/nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-quarterbacks-tom-brady-most-ever |title=Which NFL quarterback has been to the most Super Bowls? |date=January 6, 2017 |publisher=Sports Illustrated}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/look-tom-brady-has-played-in-more-super-bowls-than-the-entire-falcons-roster|title=LOOK: Tom Brady has played in more Super Bowls than the entire Falcons roster |date=January 25, 2017|publisher=CBS Sports}}</ref> ====Atlanta Falcons==== {{main|2016 Atlanta Falcons season}} [[File:Matt_Ryan_2014.jpg|thumb|upright|Falcons quarterback [[Matt Ryan (American football)|Matt Ryan]] was named the 2016 regular season MVP.]] The Atlanta Falcons, under second-year head coach [[Dan Quinn (American football)|Dan Quinn]], finished the 2016 season with an 11–5 record, earning them the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. It was a big reversal of declining fortunes for the team, who had failed to qualify to play in the [[NFL playoffs|playoffs]] in each of the last three seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/|title=Atlanta Falcons Team Encyclopedia - Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=}}</ref> The Falcons were loaded with offensive firepower, leading all NFL teams in scoring with 540 points. Nine-year veteran quarterback [[Matt Ryan (American football)|Matt Ryan]] earned the [[NFL MVP]] and the [[AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award]], as well as his fourth career Pro Bowl selection, leading the league in passer rating (117.1). While he ranked only ninth in completions (373), his passing yards (4,944) and touchdowns (38) both ranked second in the NFL. His favorite target was receiver [[Julio Jones]], who caught 83 passes for 1,409 yards (second in the NFL) and six touchdowns. But Ryan had plenty of other options, such as newly acquired wide receivers [[Mohamed Sanu]] (59 receptions for 653 yards) and [[Taylor Gabriel]] (35 receptions for 579 yards and six touchdowns). Pro Bowl running back [[Devonta Freeman]] was the team's leading rusher, with 1,078 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 4.8 yards per rush. He was also a superb receiver out of the backfield, catching 54 passes for 462 yards and two more scores. Running back [[Tevin Coleman]] was also a major asset on the ground and through the air, with 520 rushing yards, 31 receptions for 421 yards, and 11 total touchdowns. The Falcons also had an excellent special teams unit led by veteran kick returner [[Eric Weems]]. His 24 punt returns for 273 yards gave him the sixth highest return average in the NFL (11.4), and he added another 391 yards returning kickoffs. Pro Bowl kicker [[Matt Bryant]] led the league in scoring with 158 points, while also ranking third in field goal percentage (91.8%).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/scoring.htm |title=2016 NFL Scoring Summary |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=December 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/kicking.htm |title=2016 NFL Kicking & Punting |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=December 28, 2017}}</ref> Atlanta's offensive line featured center [[Alex Mack]], who earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection.<ref name="pro-football-reference.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/2016.htm|title=2016 Atlanta Falcons Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=}}</ref> The Falcons defensive line was led by defensive ends [[Adrian Clayborn]], who recorded five sacks and a fumble recovery, and long-time veteran [[Dwight Freeney]], who ranks as the NFL's 18th all-time leader in sacks (122½). Behind them, linebacker [[Vic Beasley]] was the team's only Pro Bowl selection on defense, leading the NFL in sacks with 15½; he also forced six fumbles. Rookie linebacker [[Deion Jones]] was also an impact player, leading the team in combined tackles (108) and interceptions (three). The Falcons secondary featured hard-hitting safety [[Keanu Neal]], who had 106 tackles and forced five fumbles. Safety [[Ricardo Allen]] added 90 tackles and two interceptions. But overall, the defense ranked just 27th in the league in points allowed (406).<ref name="pro-football-reference.com"/> This game marked the Falcons' second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, after having lost [[Super Bowl XXXIII]] in January 1999 to the [[1998 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/playoffs.htm |title=Atlanta Falcons Playoff History |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=December 10, 2017}}</ref> ===Playoffs=== {{main|2016–17 NFL playoffs}} The Patriots, with the AFC's #1 seed, began their postseason run by defeating the fourth-seeded [[2016 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]] in the Divisional Round, 34–16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/matchup?gameId=400927746 |title=Texans vs. Patriots - Team Statistics - January 14, 2017 - ESPN |date=January 14, 2017 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/1/14/14276312/patriots-texans-2017-results-score-nfl-playoffs |title=Texans vs. Patriots 2017 final score: New England overcomes turnovers with big plays that Houston couldn’t match |first=Adam |last=Stites |date=January 14, 2017 |publisher=SB Nation}}</ref> The next week, in the [[AFC Championship Game]], the Patriots defeated the third-seeded [[2016 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] 36-17.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/matchup?gameId=400927750 |title=Steelers vs. Patriots - Team Statistics - January 22, 2017 - ESPN |date=January 22, 2017 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/2017/1/22/14353286/patriots-steelers-2017-results-score-nfl-playoffs-afc-championship |title=Steelers vs. Patriots 2017 final score: New England blows out Pittsburgh on the way to yet another Super Bowl |first=Adam |last=Stites |date=January 22, 2017 |publisher=SB Nation}}</ref> The Falcons, with the NFC's #2 seed, began their postseason run by defeating the third-seeded [[2016 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] in the Divisional Round, 36–20, racking up 422 yards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/matchup?gameId=400927747 |title=Seahawks vs. Falcons - Team Statistics - January 14, 2017 - ESPN |date=January 14, 2017 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/seahawks-falcons-seavsatl-russell-wilson-matt-ryan-julio-jones-devin-hester/1no4hos8k4ln21qpk919qymxix |title=Seahawks miscues were non-factors in Falcons' blowout win |first=Ron |last=Clements |date=January 14, 2017 |publisher=Sporting News}}</ref> The next week, in the last NFL game ever played at the [[Georgia Dome]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/20/sport/georgia-dome-final-game/index.html |title=Georgia Dome's final NFL game has Super Bowl significance |first=Jill |last=Martin |date=January 22, 2017 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> the Falcons racked up 493 total yards as they defeated the fourth-seeded [[2016 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] 44–21 to win the [[NFC Championship Game|NFC Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/matchup?gameId=400927751 |title=Packers vs. Falcons - Team Statistics - January 22, 2017 - ESPN |date=January 22, 2017 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-football-nfl-atl-gb-idUSKBN15617E |title=Falcons beat Packers 44-21 to reach Super Bowl |date=January 22, 2017 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> ===Pre-game notes=== As the [[Super Bowl#Home team designation|designated home team]] in the annual rotation between AFC and NFC teams, the Falcons elected to wear their red home jerseys with white pants,<ref name="SBLIUnis">{{cite news|last=Hanzus|first=Dan|title=Pats wearing white in Super Bowl, will definitely win|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000778558/article/pats-wearing-white-in-super-bowl-will-definitely-win|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=January 25, 2017|access-date=January 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Weaver|first=Tim|title=Falcons choose to wear red jerseys for Super Bowl LI vs. Patriots|url=http://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2017/01/24/falcons-choose-to-wear-red-jerseys-for-super-bowl-li-vs-patriots/|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=January 24, 2017|accessdate=January 25, 2017}}</ref> which meant that the Patriots wore their white road jerseys.<ref name="SBLIUnis" /> The game featured Atlanta's #1 scoring offense versus New England's #1 scoring defense. This was the sixth Super Bowl since the [[AFL–NFL merger]] in 1970 to feature a #1 scoring offense against a #1 scoring defense, with the team with the #1 scoring defense winning four of the previous five matchups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/129236/top-10-stats-on-patriots-falcons-heading-into-super-bowl-li|title=Top 10 stats on Patriots, Falcons heading into Super Bowl LI|publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/what-happens-when-no-1-offense-meets-no-1-defense-in-super-bowl/ar-AAmaZay?li=BBnba9I|title=What happens when No. 1 offense meets No. 1 defense in Super Bowl?|publisher=MSN}}</ref> ====Super Bowl week events==== Fan-oriented activities during the lead-up to Super Bowl LI were centered around the [[George R. Brown Convention Center]] and [[Discovery Green]] park. Discovery Green hosted Super Bowl Live, a 10-day festival which featured live concerts and other attractions, including projection shows, fireworks shows, and a [[virtual reality]] attraction, ''Future Flight'', in conjunction with [[NASA]]. The neighboring George R. Brown Convention Center hosted the annual [[NFL Experience]] event, which featured interactive activities and appearances by players.<ref name="hpress-sblive">{{cite web|title=Super Bowl LIVE Kicks Off at Discovery Green|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/super-bowl-live-kicks-off-at-discovery-green-9128633|website=Houston Press|accessdate=February 17, 2017}}</ref> Super Bowl Opening Night, the second edition of the game's revamped media day, was held on January 30, 2017 at nearby [[Minute Maid Park]].<ref name="David Barron of the Houston Chronicle">{{cite web|last1=Barron|first1=David|title=Super Bowl LI "Opening Night" at Minute Maid on Jan. 30|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Super-Bowl-LI-Opening-Night-at-Minute-Maid-on-10620658.php|website=Houston Chronicle.com|publisher=Houston Chronicle|accessdate=February 13, 2017}}</ref> Super Bowl Live was organized by the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee, which was led by Honorary Chairman [[James A. Baker, III]], Chairman Ric Campo, and President and CEO Sallie Sargent.<ref name="texans-committee">{{cite web|title=James Baker, Ric Campo to lead Houston's Super Bowl bid|url=http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/James-Baker-Ric-Campo-to-lead-Houstons-Super-Bowl-bid/585eaf80-dc4c-434d-ac11-867cafcd8c4c|publisher=Houston Texans|accessdate=February 17, 2017}}</ref> According to [[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] story two most anticipated pre-Super Bowl parties were invite-only 13th annual [[ESPN]] party and the ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' party.<ref name="bparty">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-31/the-400-000-super-bowl-trip-to-houston-texas|title=The $400,000 Way to Do the Super Bowl|first=Nikki |last=Ekstein|date=January 31, 2017|publisher=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]]|accessdate=December 1, 2017}}</ref> ESPN party was hosted by [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]] and [[DJ Khaled]] and took place in a 65,000-square-foot warehouse in the [[Houston Museum District|Houston Arts District]].<ref name="bparty" /> The Rolling Stone party celebrated the magazine 50th anniversary. It took place at the [[Museum of Fine Arts, Houston]] and featured the performance of [[Big Sean]], [[DJ Cassidy]], [[Nas]], [[Diplo]] and [[Busta Rhymes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fanhospitality.com/blog/2017/11/14/fans-review-of-the-rolling-stone-super-bowl-party/|title=Fan’s Review of the Rolling Stone Super Bowl Party|author=Rachel|date=November 14, 2017|publisher=fanhospitality.com|accessdate=December 1, 2017}}</ref> ====Team facilities==== The Patriots stayed at the JW Marriott Houston and practiced at the [[University of Houston]]. The Falcons stayed at the Westin Houston Memorial City and practiced at [[Rice University]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots to practice at UH, Falcons at Rice|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/superbowl/article/Patriots-to-practice-at-UH-Falcons-at-Rice-10879745.php|website=Houston Chronicle|accessdate=January 24, 2017}}</ref> ====Tickets==== In the beginning of February 2017 the NFL and law enforcement announced that tickets to Super Bowl LI would feature [[thermal paper|heat-sensitive logos]] to deter [[counterfeit]] tickets. On the front of each ticket was a full polymer graphic that was raised and the back featured a true color security label with Houston's skyline and the Super Bowl logo. The final security feature was a graphic on the lower portion of the back of each ticket printed with [[thermochromic ink]]. The [[Houston|HTX]] logo and the [[NRG Stadium]] image faded when heat was applied and returned when the heat source was removed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pro32.ap.org/article/officials-tell-fans-how-spot-fake-super-bowl-tickets|title=Officials tell fans how to spot fake Super Bowl tickets|first=Kristie|last=Rieken|date=February 2, 2017|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|accessdate=December 1, 2017}}</ref> The estimated average price for a ticket was $4,744.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nfl/article-4186334/Super-Bowl-diary-Lady-Gaga-Poker-Faced-half-time-show.html|title=Super Bowl diary: Lady Gaga Poker Faced on half-time show and Donald Trump, star-studded party cancelled and Tom Brady is a popular man|first=Pete|last=Carline |date=February 2, 2017|work=[[Daily Mail]]|accessdate=December 1, 2017}}</ref> ====Transportation issue==== In late 2016, [[Uber]] had threatened to leave Houston ahead of the Super Bowl LI festivities, insisting various city regulations, including fingerprint background checks of drivers, were too burdensome and prevented drivers from working. Houston officials and Uber reached a compromise in December, which determined that Houston would continue to require a fingerprint check for drivers but eliminate requirements for driver drug testing and physicals through at least February 5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mashable.com/2017/02/03/uber-super-bowl-houston/#KU1P7afA5PqJ |title=Uber barely hangs on in Houston ahead of Super Bowl, while Airbnb claims 'biggest nights ever' |last=Hinchliffe |first=Emma |work=[[Mashable]] |date=February 3, 2017 |accessdate=February 5, 2017}}</ref> ==Broadcasting== ===U.S. television=== In the United States, Super Bowl LI was televised by [[Fox NFL|Fox]], as part of a cycle between the three main broadcast television partners of the NFL.<ref>{{cite news|title=The tradition continues: NFL to remain on broadcast TV|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8250cb48/article/the-tradition-continues-nfl-to-remain-on-broadcast-tv|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=December 14, 2011|accessdate=July 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Molloy|first=Tim|title=NBC, Fox, CBS Extend NFL Deals Through 2022|url=http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/nbc-fox-cbs-reach-long-term-nfl-deals-33611|publisher=TheWrap.com|date=December 14, 2011|accessdate=October 23, 2012}}</ref> The game was carried in Spanish by sister cable network [[Fox Deportes]].<ref name=dep1>{{cite web|title=NFL Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month|url=http://operations.nfl.com/updates/the-game/nfl-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-month/|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=Operations.NFL.com|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=December 27, 2016|quote=The season will culminate with Super Bowl LI live in Spanish on FOX Deportes and Entravision Radio.}}</ref><ref name=dep2>{{cite web|title=NFLEROS Premieres on FOX Deportes|url=http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/latestnews/2016/09/19/nfleros-premieres-on-fox-deportes|publisher=Fox Sports|accessdate=December 30, 2016|date=September 19, 2016}}</ref><ref name=dep3>{{cite web|last1=Tanklefsky|first1=David|title=Record World Series Numbers Help Fox Deportes Show Off Its Rebrand|url=http://promaxbda.org/brief/content/record-world-series-numbers-help-fox-deportes-show-off-its-rebrand|website=PromaxBDA|accessdate=December 30, 2016|date=November 14, 2016}}</ref> Online streams of the game were provided via [[Fox Sports Go]]; although normally [[TV Everywhere|requiring a television subscription to use]], Fox made the service available as a free preview for the Super Bowl. Due to [[Verizon Communications]] exclusivity, streaming on smartphones was exclusive to [[Verizon Wireless]] subscribers via the NFL Mobile app.<ref name="thr-fsgooutage">{{cite web|title=Super Bowl: Fox Sports Go Streaming Service Goes Down Briefly in 4th Quarter|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-sports-go-streaming-service-goes-down-briefly-fourth-quarter-972309|work=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name="verge-fsgo">{{cite web|title=Super Bowl 2017: How to watch the big game online|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/5/14503362/super-bowl-li-live-stream-watch-online-streaming-2017|website=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media|accessdate=February 6, 2017}}</ref> As with Super Bowl 50, the stadium was equipped for [[Intel]] freeD [[instant replay]] technology, using an array of 36 [[5K resolution]] cameras positioned around the stadium to enable 360-degree views of plays. Fox introduced a new feature utilizing the system known as ''Be the Player'', which composited the various camera angles into a single view of a play from the point-of-view of a player on the field.<ref name="svg-betheplayer">{{cite web|title=Live from Super Bowl LI: Intel’s ‘Be the Player’ Set to Transform Analysis|url=http://www.sportsvideo.org/2017/02/05/live-from-super-bowl-li-intels-be-the-player-set-to-transform-analysis/|website=Sports Video Group|accessdate=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name="variety-foxpovreplay">{{cite news|last=Spangler|first=Todd|title=Fox’s Super Bowl LI Broadcast to Include Virtual Player POV Replays|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/fox-super-bowl-li-virtual-player-pov-replays-1201959112/|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 12, 2017|accessdate=January 23, 2017}}</ref> Fox constructed a temporary, two-floor studio in [[Discovery Green]], which originated pre-game coverage, and broadcasts of [[Fox Sports 1]] studio programs during the week leading up to the game, such as ''[[Fox Sports Live|Fox Sports Live with Jay and Dan]]'', ''[[The Herd with Colin Cowherd]]'', ''[[Skip and Shannon: Undisputed]]'', ''[[NASCAR Race Hub]]'', and ''[[UFC Tonight]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2017/02/04/live-from-super-bowl-li-fox-sports-presence-at-discovery-green-raises-bar/|title=Live From Super Bowl LI: Fox Sports Presence at Discovery Green Raises Bar|last=Kerschbaumer|first=Ken|work=Sports Video Group|access-date=November 30, 2017|language=en}}</ref> ====Ratings==== An average of 111.3&nbsp;million viewers watched Super Bowl LI, down from 2016. Fox stated that 1.72&nbsp;million viewers utilized its online streams.<ref name="lat-ratings">{{cite web|title=Super Bowl's TV ratings slip for the second straight year|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-super-bowl-ratings-20170206-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=February 7, 2017}}</ref> ====Advertising==== Fox set the base rate for a 30-second [[Super Bowl commercials|commercial]] at $5&nbsp;million, the same rate [[NFL on CBS|CBS]] charged for Super Bowl 50,<ref name=snickerslivead>{{cite news|last=Vranica|first=Suzanne|title=Snickers to Air First Live Super Bowl Ad|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/snickers-to-air-first-live-super-bowl-ad-1485345610|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=January 25, 2017|accessdate=February 4, 2017}}</ref> leading to advertising revenue of $534&nbsp;million for the single day event.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Fry|first=Erika|date=February 1, 2018|title=Super Bowl Ads Can't Save TV|url=<!--citation is of a print article-->|journal=Fortune|type=print mail distribution|volume=|page=12|issn=0015-8259|via=}}</ref> [[Snickers]] announced that it would present a live commercial during the game.<ref name=snickerslivead/> [[Nintendo]] broadcast an ad showcasing its upcoming [[Nintendo Switch]] [[video game console]].<ref name=nintendoad>{{cite web|last=Molina|first=Brett|title=Nintendo devotes its first-ever Super Bowl ad to Switch|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/02/01/nintendo-devotes-its-first-ever-super-bowl-ad-switch/97331552/|work=USA Today|accessdate=February 1, 2017}}</ref> [[Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]] broadcast three spots for [[Alfa Romeo]], as part of an effort to re-launch the Italian brand in the U.S.<ref name="adage-alfaromeo">{{cite web|title=What Is Fiat Chrysler Up to for the Super Bowl?|url=http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/fiat-chrysler-back-super-bowl/307839/|website=Advertising Age|accessdate=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name="adage-avoidpolitics">{{cite web|title=Fiat Chrysler Avoids Politics in Super Bowl Ads, Plugs Alfa Romeo|url=http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/super-bowl-fiat-chrysler-avoids-politics-plugs-alfa-romeo/307861/|website=Advertising Age|accessdate=February 6, 2017}}</ref> A spot from longtime advertiser [[Budweiser]] garnered controversy before the game for depicting [[Anheuser-Busch]] co-founder [[Adolphus Busch]]'s emigration to the United States from Germany, its broadcast coming on the heels of [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Donald Trump]] signing [[Executive Order 13769|an executive order that bans travelers from several Muslim nations]].<ref name=budimmigration>{{cite web|last=Godoy|first=Maria|title=Budweiser's Super Bowl Ad And The Great Debate Over What It Means To Be An American|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/02/03/513263766/budweiser-s-super-bowl-ad-misses-the-real-timelier-story-about-immigrants-and-be|publisher=NPR|accessdate=February 4, 2017}}</ref> Meanwhile, [[84 Lumber]] aired a commercial depicting a mother and daughter journeying from [[Mexico]] to the [[United States]], which had been edited following Fox's objection to its depiction of a [[border wall]] for sensitivity reasons.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Framke|first1=Caroline|title=The story behind 84 Lumber’s Super Bowl ad about Trump’s border wall|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/2/5/14518244/84-lumber-super-bowl-commercial|accessdate=February 6, 2017|work=Vox|date=February 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Shields|first1=Mike|title=84 Lumber Super Bowl Campaign Shows Border Wall With a Big Door|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/84-lumber-super-bowl-campaign-shows-border-wall-with-a-big-door-1486343484|accessdate=February 6, 2017|work=Wall Street Journal|date=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Payne|first1=Marissa|title=84 Lumber forced to re-tool Super Bowl ad rejected for depicting Trump's border wall|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-84-lumber-super-bowl-ad-trump-wall-20170205-story.html|accessdate=February 6, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=February 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Reilly|first1=Lara|title=The 84 Lumber Super Bowl ad's creative director explains the thinking behind the Mexican immigration-themed spot|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/84-lumber-super-bowl-ad-explained-2017-2|accessdate=February 6, 2017|work=Business Insider|date=February 5, 2017|language=en}}</ref> Many films were advertised with ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2]]'', ''[[Logan (film)|Logan]]'', ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales]]'' and ''[[The Fate of the Furious]]''. [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] and [[Netflix]] advertised their shows, ''[[The Walking Dead (TV series)|The Walking Dead]]'' and ''[[Stranger Things (TV series)|Stranger Things]]'', respectively, while Fox-owned [[National Geographic (U.S. TV channel)|National Geographic Channel]] teased its new historical anthology drama series ''[[Genius (U.S. TV series)|Genius]]'' with an ad featuring [[Albert Einstein]] and a nod to [[Lady Gaga]]'s halftime performance.<ref name="variety-genius">{{cite web|title=Geoffrey Rush as Albert Einstein: Nat Geo Channel Releases Super Bowl Spot for ‘Genius’ (Watch)|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/genius-trailer-albert-einstein-lady-gaga-video-watch-super-bowl-1201977405/|website=Variety|accessdate=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Petski|first=Denise|title='Genius' Teaser: Nat Geo Unveils Einstein Drama's Super Bowl Spot With Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance'|url=http://deadline.com/2017/02/genius-teaser-nat-geo-einstein-dramas-super-bowl-spot-lady-gaga-bad-romance-1201901718/|accessdate=February 6, 2017|publisher=Deadline.com|date=February 3, 2017}}</ref> Fox was able to earn an estimated $20&nbsp;million by airing four extra commercials due to the additional overtime period. Even without historical precedent, Fox negotiated deals with a handful of advertisers in case overtime were to occur.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lynch |first=Jason |url=http://www.adweek.com/tv-video/the-first-overtime-in-super-bowl-history-gives-fox-another-20-million-in-ad-revenue/ |title=The First Overtime in Super Bowl History Gives Fox Another $20 Million in Ad Revenue |work=[[Adweek]] |date=February 5, 2017 |accessdate=February 7, 2017 }}</ref> ===International broadcasts=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! !Rights holder(s) |- |{{flag|Australia}} |[[Seven Network]], [[7mate]], [[ESPN Australia|ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/us-sports/nfl-2016-how-to-watch-in-australia-20160904-gr8mcy.html|title=NFL 2016: How to watch in Australia|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=September 5, 2016}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Austria}} |[[Puls 4]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Das ist der Super Bowl LI! - puls4.com|url=http://www.puls4.com/sport/infos/Das-ist-der-Super-Bowl-LI!-478266|website=PULS 4|publisher=PULS 4 TV GmbH & Co KG|accessdate=February 5, 2017|language=de}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Brazil}} |[[ESPN Brasil]], [[Esporte Interativo]]<ref name="UOL">{{cite web|title=ESPN e Esporte Interativo exibem hoje Super Bowl com Lady Gaga; relembre outras apresentações|url=https://observatoriodatelevisao.bol.uol.com.br/especial/2017/02/espn-e-esporte-interativo-exibem-hoje-super-bowl-com-lady-gaga-relembre-outras-apresentacoes|publisher=Leandro Lel Lima|accessdate=February 6, 2017|language=pt}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Canada}} |[[CTV Television Network|CTV]], [[CTV Two]], [[The Sports Network|TSN]] (English), [[Réseau des sports|RDS]] (French)<ref name="bell-licanada">{{cite web|title=SUPER BOWL LI to be Broadcast in Triple-Simulcast for First Time Ever on CTV, CTV Two, and TSN, February 5|url=http://www.bellmedia.ca/pr/press/super-bowl-li-to-be-broadcast-in-triple-simulcast-for-first-time-ever-on-ctv-ctv-two-and-tsn-february-5/|publisher=Bell Media|accessdate=January 26, 2017}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Denmark}} |[[TV3+ (Denmark)|TV3+]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://super-bowl.dk/tv/|title=Super-Bowl.dk|accessdate=February 16, 2017|language=da}}</ref> |- |{{flag|France}} |[[BeIN Sports (France)|beIN Sports]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beinsports.com/france/nfl/video/nfl-le-super-bowl-li-sur-bein-sports/432731|title=NFL : Le Super Bowl LI|publisher=beIN SPORTS|accessdate=February 5, 2017|language=fr}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Germany}} |[[Sat.1]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Super Bowl 2017 en direct et TV|url=http://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/sport/sonstige-sportarten/Super-Bowl-2017-im-Live-Stream-und-TV-id40298307.html|website=Augsburger Allemagne|language=de|accessdate=February 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NFL – NFL: Super Bowl 2017 live – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons im kostenlosen Livestream|url=http://www.ran.de/us-sport/nfl/live/nfl-super-bowl-2017-live-new-england-patriots-vs-atlanta-falcons-im-kostenlosen-livestream|website=www.ran.de|publisher=ProSieben/Sat.1 Sports GmbH|accessdate=February 4, 2017|language=de|date=January 25, 2017}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Hungary}} |[[Sport1 (Eastern Europe)]] (Hungary) |- |{{flag|India}} |[[Sony ESPN]]<ref name="peotv.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.peotv.com/tvguide/program/sony-espn/nfl-2016%2F17-super-bowl/5634667/|title=NFL 2016/17 Super Bowl|publisher=peotv.com}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Ireland}} |[[Sky Sports]]<ref name=upa/> |- |'''Middle East and North Africa'''{{hidden begin|title=List of countries}} *{{flag|Algeria}} *{{flag|Bahrain}} *{{flag|Comoros}} *{{flag|Djibouti}} *{{flag|Egypt}} *{{flag|Iraq}} *{{flag|Israel}} *{{flag|Jordan}} *{{flag|Kuwait}} *{{flag|Lebanon}} *{{flag|Libya}} *{{flag|Mauritania}} *{{flag|Morocco}} *{{flag|Oman}} *{{flag|Palestine}} *{{flag|Qatar}} *{{flag|Saudi Arabia}} *{{flag|Somalia}} *{{flag|Sudan}} *{{flag|Syria}} *{{flag|Tunisia}} *{{flag|United Arab Emirates}} *{{flag|Yemen}} |[[OSN Sports]]<ref name="techradar.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-watch-super-bowl-51-online-for-free|title=How to watch Super Bowl 51 online for free|publisher=[[TechRadar]]}}</ref><br />[[beIN Sports (MENA)|beIN Sports]]<ref name="twitter.com">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/beINSPORTS/status/927917204612116482|title=@beIN Sports}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Nepal}} |[[Sony ESPN]]<ref name="peotv.com"/> |- |{{flag|Netherlands}} |[[Fox (Netherlands)|Fox]], [[Fox Sports (Netherlands)|Fox Sports]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.totaaltv.nl/nieuws/super-bowl-2017-live-op-fox-tv-en-fox-sports/|title=Super Bowl 2017 live op FOX TV en FOX SPORTS|publisher=Totaaltv.nl|accessdate=February 5, 2017|language=dutch}}</ref> |- |{{flag|New Zealand}} |[[Television New Zealand]], [[ESPN Australia|ESPN]] |- |{{flag|Norway}} |[[Viasat 4]] |- |{{flag|Philippines}} |[[ABS-CBN]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spin.ph/football/news/super-bowl-51-on-free-tv-abs-cbn-sports-action|title=Super Bowl 51 between Patriots, Falcons to be aired live on free TV via ABS-CBN sports channel|publisher=[[Sports Interactive Network Philippines]]|last=Terrado|first=Reuben|date=January 24, 2017|accessdate=January 25, 2017}}</ref> |- |{{flag|South Africa}} |[[SuperSport (TV channel)|SuperSport]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://superbowl51.org/broadcast-the-super-bowl|title=Channels that will broadcast the Super Bowl|date=January 24, 2017|publisher=Superbowl51.org}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Spain}} |[[Movistar+]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comunidad.movistar.es/t5/Blog-Movisfera/La-Super-Bowl-LI-en-directo-y-en-exclusiva-para-todos-los/ba-p/3130672?tc_alt=4541|title=La Super Bowl LI, en directo y en exclusiva para todos los abonados de Movistar+ (Spanish)|date=February 2, 2017|publisher=Blog Movisfera (Comunidad Movistar)}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Sri Lanka}} |[[Sony ESPN]]<ref name="peotv.com"/> |- |{{flag|United Kingdom}} |[[BBC Sport|BBC]] (via world feed),<ref>{{cite web|title=Super Bowl LI: New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/american-football/38321470|website=BBC|accessdate=February 3, 2017}}</ref> [[Sky Sports]] (via Fox)<ref name=upa>{{cite web|last1=Upal|first1=Sunni|title=Super Bowl 2017: When is the NFL final, what TV channel is it on, what time is kick-off and which teams are playing? Here’s all you need to know|url=https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/nfl/2542622/super-bowl-2017-when-is-the-nfl-season-final-what-tv-channel-is-it-on-what-time-is-kick-off-and-which-teams-are-playing-heres-all-you-need-to-know/|website=The Sun|accessdate=January 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Where to watch Super Bowl LI on British TV|url=http://www.nfluk.com/news/superbowl/article-1/Where-to-watch-Super-Bowl-LI-on-British-TV/10b38148-1d8d-48cb-879c-29954f203873|website=NFLUK.com|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC.|accessdate=February 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Super Bowl LI is on Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Mix on Sunday February 5|url=http://www.skysports.com/nfl/news/12118/10750139/super-bowl-li-is-on-sky-sports-1-sky-sports-nfl-and-sky-sports-mix-on-sunday-february-5|website=Sky Sports|publisher=Sky|accessdate=February 3, 2017}}</ref> |} ====Canadian broadcast==== Canadian broadcast rights to Super Bowl LI were subject to a still-ongoing legal dispute; although U.S. network affiliates are carried by pay TV providers in the country, Canadian law grants domestic broadcast stations the right to require that these signals be [[Simultaneous substitution|substituted with their own]] if they are carrying the same program in simulcast with a U.S. station ("simsub"). This policy is intended to help protect Canadian advertising revenue from being lost to viewers watching via U.S. feeds of a program. In 2016, as part of a larger series of regulatory reforms, the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC) banned the Super Bowl from being substituted under these circumstances, meaning that the telecast on [[CTV Television|CTV]]—a simulcast of the U.S. telecast with Canadian advertising inserted, would co-exist with feeds of the game from U.S. network affiliates. The CRTC cited dissatisfaction surrounding the practice from Canadian viewers—particularly the unavailability of the U.S. [[Super Bowl commercials|commercials]], which the CRTC cited as being an "integral part" of the game based on this reception, but also other technical problems caused by poorly implemented simsubs (such as reduced quality and missing content due to mistimed transitions back into the U.S. program feed).<ref name=gandm-bellappeal/><ref name=gandm-nomoresuperbowlsimsub>{{cite news|title=CRTC opens door for U.S. Super Bowl ads to air on Canadian TV|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/crtc-opens-door-for-us-super-bowl-ads-to-air-on-canadian-tv/article22696212/|newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]]|date=January 29, 2015|accessdate=January 29, 2015}}</ref><ref name=crtc-2015-25>{{cite web|title=Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2015-25|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2015/2015-25.htm|publisher=Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|accessdate=February 3, 2015}}</ref> The NFL's Canadian rights holder [[Bell Media]], as well as the league itself, have displayed objections to the policy; Bell felt that the decision devalued its exclusive Canadian rights to the game, and violated Canada's [[Broadcasting Act (1991)|Broadcasting Act]], which forbids the "making of regulations singling out a particular program or licensee."<ref name=gandm-bellappeal>{{cite news|title=Bell appeals CRTC decision to air U.S. Super Bowl commercials|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bell-to-fight-crtc-ruling-on-super-bowl-simsub/article23244271/|accessdate=March 12, 2015|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|location=Toronto|date=March 2, 2015}}</ref> On November 2, 2016, Bell was granted the right to challenge the ruling in the [[Federal Court of Appeal (Canada)|Federal Court of Appeal]].<ref name="gandm-bellwinappeal">{{cite news|title=Bell wins right to appeal new Super Bowl ad policy|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bell-wins-right-to-appeal-new-super-bowl-ad-policy/article32643801/|website=The Globe and Mail|accessdate=November 2, 2016}}</ref> Bell, the NFL, and government representatives from both Canada and the U.S., have lobbied the CRTC for the rule to be retracted.<ref name="bloomberg-blitzes">{{cite web|title=NFL Blitzes Trudeau in Arcane Super Bowl Advertising Dispute|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-09/nfl-blitzes-trudeau-in-arcane-super-bowl-advertising-dispute|website=Bloomberg|accessdate=January 18, 2017}}</ref> However, court action on the ruling was not taken in time for the game, meaning that it was in effect for the first time during Super Bowl LI.<ref name="gandm-cdnratings">{{cite news|title=Bell’s Super Bowl ratings drop 39 per cent as CRTC ad policy takes effect|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bells-super-bowl-ratings-drop-39-per-cent-as-ad-policy-takes-effect/article33919635/|website=The Globe and Mail|accessdate=February 7, 2017}}</ref> Bell Media cited the decision, among other factors, as justification for a planned series of layoffs it announced on January 31, 2017.<ref name="fp-belllayoffs17">{{cite web|last1=Jackson|first1=Emily|title=Bell Media cites CRTC Super Bowl ad policy as a factor in latest round of layoffs|url=http://business.financialpost.com/fp-tech-desk/bell-media-cites-crtc-super-bowl-ad-policy-in-latest-round-of-layoffs|website=Financial Post|accessdate=February 1, 2017}}</ref> The simsub prohibition only applied to the game itself, and not pre-game or post-game programming (which was simulcast with Fox and subject to simsub). In an attempt to mitigate the loss of ''de facto'' exclusivity to the clean U.S. feeds, Bell simulcast the game across [[CTV Two]] and [[The Sports Network|TSN]] in addition to CTV, and organized a sponsored sweepstakes in which viewers could earn entries to win cash and automobile prizes by [[text messaging|texting]] keywords displayed during the Canadian telecast.<ref name="faguy-sbli"/><ref name="gandm-paytowatch">{{cite news|title=It may pay to watch Super Bowl on Canadian TV. Literally|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/it-may-pay-to-watch-super-bowl-on-canadian-tv-literally/article33892725/|website=The Globe and Mail|accessdate=February 3, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Montreal Gazette]]'' media analyst Steve Faguy felt that these promotions were an attempt to offset the loss of viewership by carrying the game across as many of its channels as possible, and providing incentives for viewers to watch the game on CTV instead of Fox. He further noted that Bell still had exclusive rights to stream the game in Canada via CTV's [[TV Everywhere]] services, as the CRTC does not regulate web content, and Fox's online stream is only available to U.S. users.<ref name="faguy-sbli">{{cite web|last1=Faguy|first1=Steve|url=http://blog.fagstein.com/2017/01/27/ctv-super-bowl-li-plans/|title=CTV Super Bowl LI plans|publisher=Fagstein.com|date=January 27, 2017|accessdate=January 29, 2017}}</ref> Consequently, some Canadian companies (such as [[Leon's]] and [[Pizza Pizza]]) took advantage of the CRTC decision by buying local advertising time during the game from Fox affiliates distributed in Canada in order to target these viewers, such as [[KAYU-TV]] in [[Spokane]] (which is widely carried by television providers in the significantly larger markets of [[Calgary]] and [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]]).<ref name="gandm-willfight">{{cite web|title=Bell will fight CRTC ad policy after Super Bowl ratings drop|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bells-super-bowl-ratings-drop-39-per-cent-as-ad-policy-takes-effect/article33919635/|website=The Globe and Mail|accessdate=February 8, 2017}}</ref> Viewership of Super Bowl LI across the three English-language Bell Media properties broadcasting it was down by 39% in comparison to Super Bowl 50, with only 4.47&nbsp;million viewers. Viewership on the French-language telecast presented by TSN's sister network [[Réseau des sports|RDS]] was in line with that of Super Bowl 50. It is not known how many Canadian viewers watched the game via Fox, as neither Nielsen or Canadian ratings provider [[Numeris]] calculate Canadian viewership of American broadcasters.<ref name="gandm-cdnratings"/> ===Radio=== In the United States, [[NFL on Westwood One Sports|Westwood One]] carried the broadcast nationwide, with [[Kevin Harlan]] on play-by-play, [[Boomer Esiason]] and [[Mike Holmgren]] on color commentary, and sideline reports from [[Tony Boselli]] and [[James Lofton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://westwoodonesports.com/?post_type=broadcast&p=53542|title=Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots Super Bowl LI|work=Westwood One|accessdate=January 25, 2017}}</ref> The Westwood One broadcast was simulcast in Canada on [[TSN Radio]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.bellmedia.ca/pr/press/tsn-bell-media-radio-nfl-announce-multi-year-radio-broadcast-agreement/|title=TSN, Bell Media Radio, and NFL Announce Multi-Year Radio Broadcast Agreement|publisher=Bell Media|date=September 18, 2015|accessdate=January 25, 2017}}</ref> Each team's network [[flagship (broadcasting)|flagship station]] carried the local feed: [[WBZ-FM]] for the Patriots (with [[Bob Socci]] and [[Scott Zolak]] announcing), and [[WZGC (FM)|WZGC]] for the Falcons (with [[Wes Durham]] and [[David Archer (quarterback)|Dave Archer]] announcing); under the league's contract with Westwood One, no other stations in the teams' usual radio networks were allowed to carry the local broadcast, and unlike in recent years when at least one of the two flagships was a [[clear-channel station]], both the Patriots and Falcons use FM radio stations as their local flagships, limiting listenership to those within the local metropolitan areas or with access to those feeds via [[Sirius XM]] [[satellite radio]] or [[TuneIn]] Premium. Spanish-language radio rights are held by [[Entravision]] as part of a three-year agreement signed in 2015.<ref name=dep1/> Erwin Higueros served as the play-by-play announcer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2015/09/11/entravision-inks-three-year-radio-deal-with-nfl.html|title=Entravision inks three-year radio deal with the NFL|work=L.A. Biz|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=September 11, 2015|accessdate=January 25, 2017}}</ref> The United Kingdom's [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] produced a commercial-free broadcast, with Darren Fletcher and [[Rocky Boiman]] returning.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfluk.com/news/specialfeatures/article-1/BBC-Radio-5-Live-Sports-Extra-to-air-weekly-commentaries-all-season-in-2016/9b2b46ee-f75a-4e86-8009-4c3926089d43|title=BBC RADIO 5 LIVE SPORTS EXTRA TO AIR WEEKLY COMMENTARIES ALL SEASON IN 2016|work=NFLUK.com|date=September 3, 2016|accessdate=January 25, 2017}}</ref> ==Entertainment== ===Pre-game=== {{Quote box|width=31%|align=right|quote="May this year’s Super Bowl be a sign of peace, friendship, and solidarity to the world."|source=–[[Pope Francis]] indicated that by participating in sports events, people show an ability to go beyond self-interests and build friendship and solidarity with one another.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/2/5/14515168/super-bowl-2017-pope-francis-filmed-message-of-peace-inclusion|title=Super Bowl 2017: Pope Francis filmed message of peace and inclusion for the big game|work=SB Nation|date=February 5, 2017|accessdate=April 19, 2017|last=D'Andrea|first=Christian}}</ref>}} During pre-game festivities, the NFL honored members of the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] that had played [[college football]] at [[historically black colleges and universities]]. Of the 303 members of the Hall of Fame, 29 were from HBCUs.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Estrada|first1=Cheryl|title=HBCU Hall of Fame Players Honored at Super Bowl|url=http://www.diversityinc.com/news/hbcu-hall-fame-players-honored-super-bowl/|website=Diversity, Inc.|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref> The Patriots took the field first as the designated away team to [[Ozzy Osbourne]]'s "[[Crazy Train]]". The Falcons took the field second as the designated home team to [[Trick Daddy]]'s "[[Let's Go (Trick Daddy song)|Let's Go]]". Both teams' season recaps were presented by [[Ving Rhames]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/05/sports/live-updates-super-bowl-51.html |title=Super Bowl LI Highlights and Analysis |date=February 5, 2017 |work=The New York Times |access-date=December 15, 2017 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Before the game, American [[country music]] singer and songwriter [[Luke Bryan]] sang the [[The Star-Spangled Banner|US national anthem]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Hagemann|first=Andie|title=Luke Bryan to sing national anthem at Super Bowl LI|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000777452/article/luke-bryan-to-sing-national-anthem-at-super-bowl-li|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=January 22, 2017}}</ref> Bryan was the first male performer to sing the national anthem at a Super Bowl since Billy Joel at Super Bowl XLI. Immediately before Bryan sang the national anthem, [[Phillipa Soo]], [[Renée Elise Goldsberry]] and [[Jasmine Cephas Jones]], who originated the roles of the [[Schuyler family|Schuyler sisters]] in the Broadway musical ''[[Hamilton (musical)|Hamilton]]'', performed "[[America the Beautiful]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/theater/super-bowl-pregame-hamilton-schuyler-sisters.html?_r=0|title=‘Hamilton’ Is Coming to the Super Bowl|first=Michael|last=Paulson|work=The New York Times|date=January 27, 2017|access-date=January 27, 2017}}</ref> After the national anthem, former President [[George H. W. Bush]] performed the [[Coin flipping|coin toss]] alongside his wife, [[Barbara Bush|Barbara]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Former-President-Bush-fired-up-for-coin-toss-at-10909057.php|title=Former President Bush 'fired up' for coin toss at Houston's Super Bowl|last=George|first=Cindy|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=February 4, 2017|access-date=February 5, 2017}}</ref> The Patriots called heads, but the Falcons won the coin toss with tails.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/05/who-won-coin-toss-super-bowl-li-patriots-falcons|title=Who won the coin toss at Super Bowl LI?|last=Wire|first=SI|newspaper=SI.com|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref> The Falcons chose to defer to the second half. ===Halftime show=== {{Main|Super Bowl LI halftime show}} [[File:Super Bowl LI halftime show 03 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Lady Gaga performing "[[Born This Way (song)|Born This Way]]" during the halftime show]] On September 29, 2016, [[Lady Gaga]], who had performed the national anthem the previous year at [[Super Bowl 50]], confirmed that she would be performing at the Super Bowl LI halftime show on her [[Instagram]] account with the message: "It's not an illusion. The rumors are true. This year the SUPER BOWL goes GAGA!"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/30/arts/music/lady-gaga-super-bowl-halftime.html?_r=0|title=Lady Gaga to Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|last=Coscarelli|first=Joe|date=September 29, 2016|accessdate=October 1, 2016}}</ref> [[Fox Sports]] president and executive producer of the show, John Entz, confirmed Gaga's involvement adding "[She] is one of the most electric performers of our generation, and we couldn't be happier with the choice to have her headline the Super Bowl LI Halftime Show... It is going to be an incredible night."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lady-gaga-super-bowl-halftime-show-2017-headline-934058|title=It's Official: Lady Gaga to Headline 2017 Super Bowl Halftime Show|last=Halperin|first=Shirley|date=September 29, 2016|accessdate=November 8, 2016|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Lady Gaga opened the halftime show with a combination of "[[God Bless America]]" and "[[This Land Is Your Land]]". Her performance also included some of her biggest hit songs, such as "[[Poker Face (Lady Gaga song)|Poker Face]]", "[[Born This Way (song)|Born This Way]]", "[[Million Reasons]]", and "[[Bad Romance]]"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2017/02/05/lady-gaga-super-bowl-halftime-show-recap/21707575/|title=Lady Gaga kicks off Super Bowl halftime show performance with shocking, patriotic moment|publisher=AOL|access-date=February 6, 2017|language=en}}</ref> and was accompanied<!--(pre-recorded)--> by a [[Swarm robotics|swarm]] of 300 LED-equipped Intel [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drones]] forming an [[Flag of the United States|American flag]] in the sky in a pre-recorded segment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Drone expert explains how Lady Gaga's 300 Super Bowl halftime flyers worked|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/lady-gaga-super-bowl-halftime-300-drones-aeryon-labs-1.3969347|publisher=CBC News|accessdate=February 6, 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Barrett|first1=Brian|title=All About Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Drones|url=https://www.wired.com/2017/02/lady-gaga-halftime-show-drones/|work=Wired|accessdate=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Perez|first1=Chris|title=This is what 300 drones flying in sync looks like|url=https://nypost.com/2017/02/06/this-is-what-300-drones-flying-in-sync-looks-like/|work=New York Post|accessdate=February 6, 2017|date=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Yes, those were drones at Lady Gaga's Super Bowl 51 halftime show|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/02/yes-those-were-drones-at-lady-gagas-super-bowl-51-halftime-show|publisher=For The Win|accessdate=February 6, 2017|date=February 6, 2017}}</ref> Mohamed Sanu stated the long length of the halftime show played a part in Atlanta ultimately losing the game. Teams on average are off the field for fifteen minutes during halftime, but Super Bowl halftimes are considerably longer. Unlike the Falcons it appears Bill Belichick actually incorporated the length of the show into the team's practices.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/falcons-player-says-lady-gaga-halftime-show-contributed-to-super-bowl-meltdown/|title=Falcons player says Lady Gaga halftime show contributed to Super Bowl meltdown|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=February 28, 2017|language=en}}</ref> Sanu's argument was discounted by the fact that Atlanta marched the ball downfield and scored a touchdown right out of halftime.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://247sports.com/Bolt/Mohamed-Sanu-blames-the-long-halftime-for-Super-Bowl-LI-loss--51479967|title=Atlanta Falcons Mohamed Sanu blames the long halftime for Super Bowl 51 loss to New England Patriots|work=247Sports|access-date=February 28, 2017}}</ref> ==Game summary== {{tone|section|date=February 2017}} ===First half=== The first quarter of Super Bowl LI was a scoreless defensive match with each team punting twice. The longest play from scrimmage was a 37-yard carry by Falcons running back [[Devonta Freeman]], which did not lead to any points, though it would be the longest run of the game for either team. On the first play of the second quarter, New England's quarterback [[Tom Brady]] completed a 27-yard pass to wide receiver [[Julian Edelman]] on the Falcons 33-yard line. But on the next play, linebacker [[Deion Jones]] stripped the ball from running back [[LeGarrette Blount]]; the fumble was recovered by defensive back [[Robert Alford (American football)|Robert Alford]] on the 29-yard line. On the next two plays, [[Matt Ryan (American football)|Matt Ryan]] completed passes to [[Julio Jones]] for gains of 19 and 23 yards. Freeman ran the ball on the next three plays, covering the final 29 yards to the end zone, the last carry a 5-yard touchdown run that put Atlanta up 7–0. New England failed to get a first down on the series following the Freeman score, and the Falcons moved the ball 62 yards in five plays. Ryan started the drive with a 24-yard completion to [[Taylor Gabriel]], then completed a pass to Jones for an 18-yard gain. On 3rd-and-9, he threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end [[Austin Hooper]], giving the Falcons a 14–0 lead. It was the largest deficit Brady had ever faced in his seven Super Bowl appearances, and it would soon get larger.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradTo00.htm|title=Tom Brady Stats - Pro-Football-Reference.com|publisher=}}</ref> New England responded with a drive to the Falcons 23, aided by three defensive holding penalties against the Atlanta defense, each one giving them a first down on a third down play. However, on 3rd-and-6, Brady threw a pass that was intercepted by Alford and returned 82 yards for a touchdown, increasing Atlanta's lead to 21–0. It was the first time in his career that Brady had thrown a pick-six (interception returned for a touchdown) in his 33 postseason games,<ref>{{cite web|title=Can't-Miss Play: Tom Brady's first-ever playoff pick six goes to Robert Alford|url=http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/0ap3000000783470/Can-t-Miss-Play-Brady-s-first-playoff-pick-six|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com/Videos|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref> and Alford's 82 yard return was the second longest interception return in Super Bowl history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Super Bowl Records: Individual - Interceptions|url=http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/records/superbowls/player/ints|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=SuperBowl.com|access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> Brady ultimately became the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl in which he threw a pick-six. Getting the ball back with 2:20 left in the second quarter, Brady completed a 15-yard pass to [[Martellus Bennett]], and then a short pass to running back [[James White (running back)|James White]], who took off for a 28-yard gain. The drive stalled at the Falcons 20-yard line, but [[Stephen Gostkowski]] kicked a field goal with two seconds left on the clock to send the teams into their locker rooms with the score 21–3. ===Second half=== New England had an early third quarter scoring opportunity when Edelman returned a punt 26 yards to the Patriots' 47-yard line, but they could not gain a first down on the drive. Following the Patriots' punt, the Falcons started their drive on their own 15-yard line; Ryan completed two long passes to wide receiver Taylor Gabriel for gains of 17 and 35 yards to bring the ball to the New England 28-yard line. Four plays later, Ryan finished the 85-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to running back [[Tevin Coleman]], giving the Falcons a 28–3 lead with 8:31 left in the quarter. On the next series, Brady led the Patriots 75 yards in 13 plays for a responding touchdown, completing five of seven passes for 43 yards, the biggest a 17-yard completion to [[Danny Amendola]] on 4th-and-3 from the New England 46-yard line. Brady also made a big play with his legs, rushing for a 15-yard gain (which would be the longest rushing play by the Patriots on the day) on 3rd-and-8 from the Atlanta 35-yard line. Three subsequent carries by Blount moved the ball 15 yards to the 5-yard line, and then Brady threw the ball to White for a touchdown, making the score 28–9 after Gostkowski's extra point attempt hit the right goalpost. New England then attempted an [[onside kick]], but the ball was recovered by Falcons linebacker [[LaRoy Reynolds]], and a penalty against Gostkowski for touching the ball before it went ten yards gave Atlanta even better field position. Ryan completed a 9-yard pass to Hooper to the Patriots 32-yard-line, but on the next play, a holding penalty on Atlanta offensive lineman [[Jake Matthews (American football)|Jake Matthews]] pushed the team back ten yards. Then after an incompletion, [[Trey Flowers]] and [[Kyle Van Noy]] shared a sack on Ryan that effectively forced the Falcons to punt on the first play of the fourth quarter. [[Matt Bosher]]'s 42-yard punt pinned the Patriots back on their own 13-yard line. Brady led the next drive down the field, completing three passes to wide receiver [[Malcolm Mitchell]] for 40 yards and one to Bennett for 25 to bring the ball to the Falcons 7-yard line. However, Brady was sacked twice by defensive tackle [[Grady Jarrett]] over the next three plays, and the Patriots ended up having to settle for Gostkowski's 33-yard field goal that cut their deficit to two scores, 28–12, with less than 10 minutes left in the game. Atlanta had burned two of their three time outs on defense and equipment malfunction. On the third play of Atlanta's ensuing drive, Freeman missed his blocking assignment on a New England blitz that allowed linebacker [[Dont'a Hightower]] to sack Ryan as he was winding up for a pass, resulting in a fumble that was recovered by defensive tackle [[Alan Branch]] on the Falcons 25-yard line. It was Ryan's first turnover in two months.<ref name="Gagnon"/> New England soon cashed in their scoring opportunity, with Brady throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Amendola. Then White took a direct snap in for a two-point conversion to make the score 28–20 in favor of Atlanta with 5:56 left on the clock. The Patriots had run the same play for a two-point conversion with [[Kevin Faulk]] in their [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]] victory. On the first play of Atlanta's next possession, Freeman caught a short pass from Ryan and ran it for a 39-yard gain, the longest play of the game for either team. Then on 2nd-and-9 from the Patriots 49-yard line, Ryan threw a deep pass to Jones, who made an acrobatic catch at the right sideline for a 27-yard gain, giving the Falcons a first down on the Patriots 22-yard line with 4:40 left on the clock and a chance for a late-game two-score lead that would have clinched the game.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=|date=February 5, 2017|title=Julio Jones Unreal Sideline Catch! – Patriots vs. Falcons – Super Bowl LI Highlights|medium=[[YouTube]]|language=English|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSirjCbbP1c|access-date=September 27, 2019|location=Houston|publisher=[[National Football League]]}}</ref> On the next play, Freeman ran for a 1-yard loss on a tackle by [[Devin McCourty]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Brooks|first=Bucky|title=Super Bowl LI explained: How Patriots pulled off epic comeback|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000784357/article/super-bowl-li-explained-how-patriots-pulled-off-epic-comeback|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=February 7, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> Atlanta tried to pass the ball on second down, but Flowers sacked Ryan for a 12-yard loss on the Patriots 35-yard line. Ryan then completed a 9-yard pass to [[Mohamed Sanu]] on 3rd-and 23, but this was negated by a holding penalty on Matthews. Now out of field goal range and faced with 3rd-and-33 from the New England 45-yard line, Ryan threw an incomplete pass, and the team was left with no good choice but to punt the ball to New England.<ref name="Gagnon"/> Bosher's 36-yard kick gave the Patriots the ball on their own 9-yard line with 3:30 left on the clock and two of their timeouts left. After two incompletions, Brady picked up a first down with a 16-yard pass to [[Chris Hogan (American football)|Chris Hogan]]. After an 11-yard pass to Mitchell, Brady threw a pass that was nearly intercepted by Alford. Instead, he batted the ball in the air, and it fell into the arms of Edelman, who made a diving catch as it bounced off Alford's shoe. Edelman just barely managed to get his hands under the ball before it hit the ground, securing the football for what would be ruled as a 23-yard pass completion. Atlanta challenged the on-field ruling, but referee [[Carl Cheffers]] confirmed the call on the field and as a result, Atlanta was charged their final timeout.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=|date=February 5, 2017|title=Julian Edelman Makes Ridiculous Catch! – Patriots vs. Falcons – Super Bowl LI Highlights|medium=[[YouTube]]|language=English|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SiUNdkIwzQ|access-date=September 27, 2019|location=Houston|publisher=[[National Football League]]}}</ref> Brady's next pass to Amendola gained 20 yards to the Falcons' 21-yard line as the clock ran down below the two-minute warning. Two more passes to White gained 20 yards and gave New England a first down at the 1-yard line. With 58 seconds left, White scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, and Brady completed a 2-point conversion pass to Amendola, tying the score at 28. Atlanta started their drive deep in their own end with just under a minute and zero time outs. The Falcons failed to get in range to score a possible game-winning field goal and punted, with the Patriots fair catching the ball at their own 35-yard line. The Patriots considered, but ultimately declined, ending regulation on what would have been the first [[fair catch kick]] ever attempted in a Super Bowl.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2017/02/06/bill-belichick-passed-up-an-opportunity-to-end-super-bowl-51-in-the-weirdest-possible-way|title=Bill Belichick passed up an opportunity to end Super Bowl 51 in the weirdest possible way|first=Nick|last=DeCosta-Klipa|work=The Boston Globe|date=February 7, 2017|accessdate=February 7, 2017}}</ref> Instead, New England attempted a fake [[quarterback kneel]] running play for [[Dion Lewis]], who gained several yards but failed to score, ending the fourth quarter and forcing the game into overtime, the first time this had happened in the Super Bowl era, and the first in the NFL title game since the [[1958 NFL Championship Game|1958 meeting]] between the [[1958 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]] and the [[1958 New York Giants season|New York Giants]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bowden|first1=Mark|title=The Best Game Ever: Giants vs. Colts, 1958, and the Birth of the Modern NFL|date=2008|publisher=Atlantic Monthly Press|isbn=978-0-87113-988-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/bestgameevergian00bowd}}</ref> ===Overtime=== The Patriots won the coin toss to start overtime, and elected to receive the ball. Starting at their 25-yard line after a touchback, Brady completed passes to White, Amendola, and Hogan for gains of 6, 14, and 18 yards, respectively. Then after White was dropped for a 3-yard loss, Brady completed a 15-yard pass to Edelman to the Falcons 25-yard line. White then took a lateral throw from Brady to the 15-yard line.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/american-football/38876834|title=Super Bowl LI: New England Patriots recover from record deficit to beat Atlanta Falcons|date=February 6, 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=February 7, 2017}}</ref> Brady's pass to Bennett in the end zone fell incomplete, but Falcons linebacker [[De'Vondre Campbell]] was called for [[pass interference]], giving the Patriots first-and-goal from the Falcons' 2-yard line.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/feb/05/new-england-patriots-super-bowl-51-champions-atlanta-falcons|title=Super Bowl 2017: Tom Brady leads Patriots to historic comeback win|date=February 6, 2017|work=Guardian|accessdate=February 7, 2017}}</ref> On first down, Brady threw another incomplete pass to Bennett that was deflected by [[Vic Beasley]]. On second down, White took a pitch and ran the ball right. He was hit by Falcons defenders at the 1-yard line, but managed to stretch forward and get the ball across the goal line before his knee hit the ground, scoring a touchdown to give the Patriots the 34–28 victory. It marked the first time in NFL postseason history that a team leading by 17 points or more at the start of the fourth quarter went on to lose the game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://twitter.com/MikeAndMike/statuses/828572383514595328|title=Mike & Mike on Twitter|publisher=Twitter|access-date=April 15, 2017|language=en}}</ref> Previously, dating back to 1940, teams leading by 17 or more points after three quarters in playoff games were 133–0 in such situations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pfref.com/tiny/uVqwV|title=Playoffs with Score margin after 3 Qtrs >= 17|publisher=pro-football-reference.com}}</ref> [[File: Confetti after Super Bowl LI.jpg|thumb|right|Confetti falls after the game]] ===Statistics and records=== [[File:New England Patriots Victory Parade 2017.jpg|thumb|left|A parade took place in [[Boston]] two days after the game|alt=The New England Patriots Victory Parade on Boylston Street in Boston, Massachusetts Tuesday February 7, 2017.]] Super Bowl LI had more than 30 records either broken or tied by the time it was done.<ref name="BergmanNFL" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/patriots-and-falcons-set-or-tie-31-records-in-thrilling-super-bowl-li/|title=Patriots and Falcons set or tie 31 records in thrilling Super Bowl LI|publisher=CBS Sports|date=February 5, 2017|accessdate=February 6, 2017}}</ref> Brady completed 43 of 62 passes for 466 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception, while also rushing for 15 yards. His completions, attempts, and passing yards were all single-game Super Bowl records. He also set the career Super Bowl records for games played (7), completions (207), attempts (309), yards (2,071), and touchdown passes (15). James White caught a Super Bowl record 14 passes for 110 yards, rushed for 29 yards, and tied a Super Bowl record with three touchdowns. He also set the record for most points scored with 20. After the game, Brady said he felt White deserved the MVP award more than he did.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tom Brady: I think James White deserves game MVP|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000783969/article/tom-brady-i-think-james-white-deserves-game-mvp|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref> Brady planned to give White the vehicle that has traditionally been awarded to Super Bowl MVPs (he'd given the truck he received after Super Bowl XLIX to Malcolm Butler) but found out after the game that there was no vehicle to give to White because the sponsor had decided to end its practice of donating one. Edelman caught five passes for 87 yards and returned three punts for 39 yards. Amendola recorded eight receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown. Flowers recorded six tackles and 2.5 sacks. For Atlanta, Ryan completed 17 of 23 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns. Freeman was the top rusher of the game with 11 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown, while also catching two passes for 46 yards. Jones was Atlanta's leading receiver with four receptions for 87 yards. Robert Alford had 11 tackles (9 solo), an interception returned for a touchdown, and a fumble recovery. Grady Jarrett had five tackles and tied a Super Bowl record with three sacks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Watch New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons [02/05/2017]|url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017020500/2016/POST22/patriots@falcons#menu=gameinfo%7CcontentId:0ap3000000783776&tab=analyze|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> Atlanta became the first team in Super Bowl history to return an interception for a touchdown and lose the game. Prior to Super Bowl LI, teams returning an interception for a touchdown in the Super Bowl had been a perfect 12–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/02/06/5-mind-blowing-facts-to-sum-up-patriots-super-bowl-stunner |title=5 Mind-Blowing Facts To Sum Up Patriots’ Super Bowl Stunner |publisher=CBS Boston |date=February 6, 2017 |access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref> New England had two turnovers for the game, while Atlanta only turned the ball over once. This made New England the fifth team to win a Super Bowl despite losing the turnover battle, joining the Baltimore Colts in [[Super Bowl V]], the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowls [[Super Bowl XIV|XIV]] and [[Super Bowl XL|XL]], and the Patriots in [[Super Bowl XLIX]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.101sports.com/2015/02/12/looking-back-super-bowl-xlix-stats-records/|title=Looking Back at Super Bowl XLIX Stats and Records|first=Stats|last=Doctor|date=February 12, 2015|work=101Sports.com|access-date=April 11, 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140742/http://www.101sports.com/2015/02/12/looking-back-super-bowl-xlix-stats-records/|archivedate=April 2, 2015}}</ref> The game set the record for the largest deficit overcome to win the Super Bowl (the previous record was ten points, set by the [[Washington Redskins]] in [[Super Bowl XXII]] and matched by the [[New Orleans Saints]] in [[Super Bowl XLIV]] and by the Patriots in [[Super Bowl XLIX]]);<ref>{{cite news|last=Rapaport|first=Daniel|title=The biggest comebacks in Super Bowl history|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/05/super-bowl-biggest-comebacks-patriots|work=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017|language=en}}</ref> it is the third-largest comeback win in NFL playoff history, behind [[The Comeback (American football)|The Comeback]] (32-point deficit; [[Buffalo Bills]] trailed 35–3 and won 41–38) and the [[2013–14 NFL playoffs#AFC: Indianapolis Colts 45, Kansas City Chiefs 44|wild card game]] between the [[Indianapolis Colts]] and the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] during the [[2013–14 NFL playoffs]] (28-point deficit; Colts trailed 38–10 and won, 45–44). In addition to being the largest Super Bowl comeback, the game set the record for the largest fourth-quarter comeback in NFL playoff history, as no team had previously won a playoff game after trailing by 17 or more points entering the final quarter; the Patriots were trailing by 19 points at the start of the fourth quarter by a score of 28–9. The Patriots won their fifth franchise championship, all under the leadership of starting [[quarterback]] [[Tom Brady]], the most by a single quarterback. Brady won his fourth [[Super Bowl MVP]], the most such awards by a single player in history. This game represented the largest comeback in the history of the New England Patriots' regular season or post-season games,<ref>{{cite web|title=New England Patriots Biggest Comebacks|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/comebacks.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|accessdate=December 13, 2017}}</ref> and Tom Brady's NFL career. Super Bowl LI became the first Super Bowl in history in which the winning team had never held the lead at any point during regulation time, and it also became the first Super Bowl in history in which the winning team did not score on a [[Point after touchdown|PAT]] kick, as the Patriots missed their only PAT attempt during the game, which occurred following their first touchdown, opted for two-point conversions after each of their next two touchdowns, and did not have to attempt the extra point after their game-winning touchdown in overtime. Late in the third quarter, the Falcons' chances of winning were estimated at 99.8%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots Vs. Falcons Game Summary|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=400927752|website=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201702050atl.htm|website=Pro Football Reference}}</ref> ===Box score=== {{Americanfootballbox |bg=#eee |titlestyle=text-align:center;background-color:#D50A0A;color:#FFFFFF; |title=New England Patriots vs Atlanta Falcons&nbsp;– Game summary |date=February 5, 2017 |time=5:37 PM [[Central Time Zone|CST]] |road='''Patriots (AFC)''' |R1=0|R2=3|R3=6|R4=19|R5=6 |home=Falcons (NFC) |H1=0|H2=21|H3=7|H4=0|H5=0 |stadium=[[NRG Stadium]], [[Houston|Houston, Texas]] |attendance=70,807 |weather=Played indoors ([[retractable roof]] closed) |referee=[[Carl Cheffers]] |TV=[[Fox NFL|Fox]] |TVAnnouncers=[[Joe Buck]], [[Troy Aikman]], [[Erin Andrews]] and [[Chris Myers]] |reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017020500/2016/POST22/patriots@falcons Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/57167/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook] }} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart |VisitorName=NE |HomeName=ATL |state=expanded}} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |Quarter=2 |Time=12:15 |Team=ATL |DrivePlays=5 |DriveLength=71 |DriveTime=1:53 |Type=RushTD |Runner=[[Devonta Freeman]] |yards=5 |kickresult=good |Kicker=[[Matt Bryant]] |Visitor=0 |Home=7}} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |Quarter=2 |Time=8:48 |Team=ATL |DrivePlays=5 |DriveLength=62 |DriveTime=1:49 |Type=RecTD |Receiver=[[Austin Hooper]] |QB=[[Matt Ryan (American football)|Matt Ryan]] |yards=19 |kickresult=good |Kicker=Bryant |Visitor=0 |Home=14}} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |Quarter=2 |Time=2:21 |Team=ATL |DrivePlays=— |DriveLength=— |DriveTime=— |Type=IntTD |Def=[[Robert Alford (American football)|Robert Alford]] |yards=82 |kickresult=good |Kicker=Bryant |Visitor=0 |Home=21}} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |Quarter=2 |Time=0:02 |Team=NE |DrivePlays=11 |DriveLength=52 |DriveTime=2:19 |Type=FG |yards=41 |Kicker=[[Stephen Gostkowski]] |Visitor=3 |Home=21}} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |Quarter=3 |Time=8:31 |Team=ATL |DrivePlays=8 |DriveLength=85 |DriveTime=4:14 |Type=RecTD |Receiver=[[Tevin Coleman]] |QB=Ryan |yards=6 |kickresult=good |Kicker=Bryant |Visitor=3 |Home=28}} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |Quarter=3 |Time=2:06 |Team=NE |DrivePlays=13 |DriveLength=75 |DriveTime=6:25 |Type=RecTD |Receiver=[[James White (running back)|James White]] |QB=[[Tom Brady]] |yards=5 |kickresult=no good (hit right upright) |Kicker=Gostkowski |Visitor=9 |Home=28}} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |Quarter=4 |Time=9:44 |Team=NE |DrivePlays=12 |DriveLength=72 |DriveTime=5:07 |Type=FG |yards=33 |Kicker=Gostkowski |Visitor=12 |Home=28}} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |Quarter=4 |Time=5:56 |Team=NE |DrivePlays=5 |DriveLength=25 |DriveTime=2:28 |Type=RecTD |Receiver=[[Danny Amendola]] |QB=Brady |yards=6 |2pt type=run |2pt result=good (White run) |Visitor=20 |Home=28}} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |Quarter=4 |Time=0:57 |Team=NE |DrivePlays=10 |DriveLength=91 |DriveTime=2:33 |Type=RushTD |Runner=White |yards=1 |2pt type=pass |2pt result=good (Brady–Amendola pass) |Visitor=28 |Home=28}} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry |Quarter=OT |Time=11:02 |Team=NE |DrivePlays=8 |DriveLength=75 |DriveTime=3:58 |Type=Other |Other=White 2-yard touchdown run |Visitor=34 |Home=28}} {{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd |Visitor=34 |Home=28}} ==Final statistics== ===Statistical comparison=== <div style="float:left;width:50%"> {| class="wikitable" |- !Statistic !New England Patriots<!-- Other Super Bowl articles do not use the formatting in this section. --> !Atlanta Falcons<!-- Other Super Bowl articles do not use the formatting in this section. --> |- |First downs||37||17 |- |First downs rushing||7||3 |- |First downs passing||26||13 |- |First downs penalty||4||1 |- |Third down efficiency||7/14||1/8 |- |Fourth down efficiency||1/1||0/0 |- |Total net yards||546||344 |- |Net yards rushing||104||104 |- |Rushing attempts||25||18 |- |Yards per rush||4.2||5.8 |- |Net yards passing||442||240 |- |Passing – completions/attempts||43/63||17/23 |- |Times sacked-total yards||5–24||5–44 |- |Interceptions thrown||1||0 |- |Punt returns-total yards||4–39||1–0 |- |Kickoff returns-total yards||1–20||5–42 |- |Interceptions-total return yards||0–0||1–82 |- |Punts-average yardage||4–41.5||6–47.0 |- |Fumbles-lost||1–1||1–1 |- |Penalties-yards||4–23||9–65 |- |Time of possession||40:31||23:27 |- |Turnovers||2||1 |} </div> <div style="float:right;width:50%"> {| class="wikitable" |- !colspan=3|Records set<ref name="BergmanNFL" /><ref>{{cite web|title=The Amount Of Records Set And Tied In Super Bowl LI Is Astounding|url=http://nesn.com/2017/02/the-amount-of-records-set-and-tied-in-super-bowl-li-is-astounding/|publisher=[[New England Sports Network]]|date=February 6, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref> |- |Most Super Bowl appearances, as team || 9 || rowspan="12" | [[New England Patriots]] |- |Most pass attempts, team (game) || 63 |- |Most pass completions, team (game) || 43 |- |Most passing yards, team (game) || 442 |- |Most first downs, team (game) || 37 |- |Most first downs via pass, team (game) || 26 |- |Most offensive plays, team (game) || 93 |- |Most points in overtime, team (game) || 6 |- |Largest deficit overcome, winning team || 25 points |- |Largest deficit overcome after third quarter, winning team || 19 points |- |Largest deficit overcome after second quarter, winning team || 18 points |- |Least playing time in lead, winning team || 0:00 |- |Most Super Bowl appearances, as player || 7 || rowspan="12" | [[Tom Brady]] <br />(New England) |- |Most Super Bowl appearances, as starting player || 7 |- |Most Super Bowl championships won, as quarterback || 5 |- |Most Super Bowl MVP awards || 4 |- |Most pass attempts, player (career) || 309 |- |Most pass attempts, player (game) || 62 |- |Most pass completions, player (career) || 207 |- |Most pass completions, player (game) || 43 |- |Most passing yards, player (career) || 2,071 |- |Most passing yards, player (game) || 466 |- |Most touchdown passes, player (career) || 15 |- |Oldest starting quarterback<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2018/01/31/tom-brady-why-does-everyone-want-me-to-retire-so-bad/|title=Tom Brady: 'Why does everyone want me to retire so bad?'|date=February 1, 2018|work=Patriots Wire|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> || 39 years, 186 days |- |Most Super Bowl appearances, as head coach || 7 || rowspan="4" | [[Bill Belichick]] <br />(New England) |- |Most Super Bowl appearances, as coach || 10 |- |Most Super Bowl appearances, in any capacity<ref>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Tara|title=Sullivan: For NFL great Belichick, performance is all that matters|url=http://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/columnists/tara-sullivan/2017/02/04/sullivan-nfl-great-belichick-performance-all-matters/97485704/|publisher=[[North Jersey Media Group]]|date=February 4, 2017|accessdate=February 12, 2017}}</ref> || 10 |- |Most Super Bowls won, as head coach || 5 |- |Most pass receptions, player (game) || 14 || rowspan="2" | [[James White (running back)|James White]] <br />(New England) |- |Most points scored, player (game) || 20 |- |Most net passing yards, total (both teams, game) || 682 || [[New England Patriots]] 442, [[Atlanta Falcons]] 240 |- |Most gross passing yards, total (both teams, game) || 750 || New England 466, Atlanta 284 |- |Most first downs, total (both teams, game) || 54 || New England 37, Atlanta 17 |- |Most first downs via pass, total (both teams, game) || 39 || New England 26, Atlanta 13 |- |Most points in overtime, total (game) || 6 || New England 6, Atlanta 0 |- |Longest playing time (game) || 63:58 || <small>''first overtime game in Super Bowl history''</small> |- |Most playing time in lead, losing team || 41:18 || Atlanta Falcons |- !colspan=3|Records tied |- |Most games won, as player || 5 || [[Tom Brady]] <br />(New England) |- |Most touchdowns scored, player (game) || 3 || [[James White (running back)|James White]] <br />(New England) |- |Most sacks, player (game) || 3 || [[Grady Jarrett]] (Atlanta) |- |Most touchdowns scored, losing team (game) || 4 || Atlanta |- |Most two-point conversions scored, player (game) || 1 || rowspan="2" | [[James White (running back)|James White]] (New England)<br />[[Danny Amendola]] (New England) |- |Most two-point conversions scored, player (career) || 1 |- |Most two-point conversions scored, team (game) || 2 || New England |- |Most two-point conversions scored, total (both teams, game) || 2 || New England 2, Atlanta 0 |- |Most first downs via penalty, team (game) || 4 || New England |} </div> {{Clear}} ===Individual statistics=== Sources: [https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=2017020501 The Football Database Super Bowl LI] <div style="float:left;width:50%"> {| class="wikitable" |- !colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}"|Patriots passing |- ! !C/ATT¹ !Yds !TD !INT !Rating |- | [[Tom Brady]] || 43/62 || 466 || 2 || 1 || 95.2 |- | [[Julian Edelman]] || 0/1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 39.6 |- !colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}"|Patriots rushing |- ! !Car² !Yds !TD !LG³ !Yds/Car |- | [[LeGarrette Blount]] || 11 || 31 || 0 || 9 || 2.82 |- | [[James White (running back)|James White]] || 6 || 29 || 2 || 10 || 4.83 |- | [[Dion Lewis]] || 6 || 27 || 0 || 13 || 4.50 |- | Tom Brady || 1 || 15 || 0 || 15 || 15.00 |- | Julian Edelman || 1 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 2.00 |- !colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}"|Patriots receiving |- ! !Rec⁴ !Yds !TD !LG³ !Target⁵ |- | [[James White (running back)|James White]] || 14 || 110 || 1 || 28 || 16 |- | [[Danny Amendola]] || 8 || 78 || 1 || 20 || 11 |- | [[Malcolm Mitchell]] || 6 || 70 || 0 || 18 || 7 |- | Julian Edelman || 5 || 87 || 0 || 27 || 13 |- | [[Martellus Bennett]] || 5 || 62 || 0 || 25 || 6 |- | [[Chris Hogan (American football)|Chris Hogan]] || 4 || 57 || 0 || 18 || 7 |- | Dion Lewis || 1 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 3 |} </div> <div style="float:right;width:50%"> {| class="wikitable" |- !colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons}}"|Falcons passing |- ! !C/ATT¹ !Yds !TD !INT !Rating |- | [[Matt Ryan (American football)|Matt Ryan]] || 17/23 || 284 || 2 || 0 || 144.1 |- !colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons}}"|Falcons rushing |- ! !Car² !Yds !TD !LG³ !Yds/Car |- | [[Devonta Freeman]] || 11 || 75 || 1 || 37 || 6.82 |- | [[Tevin Coleman]] || 7 || 29 || 0 || 9 || 4.14 |- !colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons}}"|Falcons receiving |- ! !Rec⁴ !Yds !TD !LG³ !Target⁵ |- | [[Julio Jones]] || 4 || 87 || 0 || 27 || 4 |- | [[Taylor Gabriel]] || 3 || 76 || 0 || 35 || 5 |- | [[Austin Hooper]] || 3 || 32 || 1 || 19 || 6 |- | Devonta Freeman || 2 || 46 || 0 || 39 || 2 |- | [[Mohamed Sanu]] || 2 || 25 || 0 || 13 || 2 |- | [[Patrick DiMarco]] || 2 || 12 || 0 || 10 || 2 |- | Tevin Coleman || 1 || 6 || 1 || 6 || 1 |} </div> {{Clear}} ¹Completions/attempts<br />²Carries<br />³Long gain<br />⁴Receptions<br />⁵Times targeted ==Starting lineups== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !style="width:160px" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New England Patriots}}" | New England !! Position !! Position !! style="width:160px" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons}}" | Atlanta |- ! colspan="4" style="text-align:center" | Offense |- | [[Chris Hogan (American football)|Chris Hogan]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | WR || [[Julio Jones]] |- | [[Nate Solder]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | LT || [[Jake Matthews (American football)|Jake Matthews]] |- | [[Joe Thuney]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | LG || [[Andy Levitre]] |- | [[David Andrews (American football)|David Andrews]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | C || [[Alex Mack]] |- | [[Shaq Mason]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | RG || [[Chris Chester (American football)|Chris Chester]] |- | [[Marcus Cannon]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | RT || [[Ryan Schraeder]] |- | [[Martellus Bennett]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | TE || [[Levine Toilolo]] |- | [[Julian Edelman]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | WR || [[Mohamed Sanu]] |- | [[Tom Brady]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | QB || [[Matt Ryan (American football)|Matt Ryan]] |- | [[Malcolm Mitchell]] || style="text-align:center" | WR || style="text-align:center" | RB || [[Devonta Freeman]] |- | [[Dion Lewis]] || style="text-align:center" | RB || style="text-align:center" | FB || [[Patrick DiMarco]] |- ! colspan="4" style="text-align:center" | Defense |- | [[Duron Harmon]] || style="text-align:center" | DB || style="text-align:center" | DE || [[Dwight Freeney]] |- | [[Alan Branch]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | DT || [[Ra'Shede Hageman]] |- | [[Malcom Brown]] || style="text-align:center" | DT || style="text-align:center" | DB || [[Brian Poole (American football)|Brian Poole]] |- | [[Trey Flowers]] || style="text-align:center" | RE || style="text-align:center" | DE || [[Grady Jarrett]] |- | [[Shea McClellin]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | LB || [[Vic Beasley]] |- | [[Dont'a Hightower]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | LB || [[Deion Jones]] |- | [[Rob Ninkovich]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | LB || [[De'Vondre Campbell]] |- | [[Logan Ryan]] || style="text-align:center" | RCB || style="text-align:center" | CB || [[Robert Alford (American football)|Robert Alford]] |- | [[Malcolm Butler]] || style="text-align:center" | LCB || style="text-align:center" | CB || [[Jalen Collins]] |- | [[Patrick Chung]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | S || [[Ricardo Allen]] |- | [[Devin McCourty]] || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | S || [[Keanu Neal]] |} ==Officials== Super Bowl LI had eight [[Official (American football)|officials]].<ref name="Super Bowl 51 officials">{{cite web|last1=Austro|first1=Ben|date=January 18, 2017|title=Carl Cheffers is confirmed as referee for Super Bowl LI|url=http://www.footballzebras.com/2017/01/18/carl-cheffers-is-confirmed-as-referee-for-super-bowl-li/|website=FootballZebras.com|access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> The numbers in parentheses below indicate how many dicks they sucked prior to the game. * Referee: [[Carl Cheffers]] (51) * Umpire: Dan Ferrell (64) * Head linesman: Kent Payne (79) * Line judge: Jeff Seeman (45) * Field judge: Doug Rosenbaum (67) * Side judge: Dyrol Prioleau (109) * Back judge: Todd Prukop (30) * Replay official: [[Tom Sifferman]] ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Super Bowl LI}} * {{Official website}} {{Portal bar|American football}} {{Super Bowl}} {{Super Bowl LI}} {{New England Patriots}} {{Atlanta Falcons}} {{2016 NFL season by team|state=collapsed}} {{NFLC-SuperBowl}} {{Fox NFL}} [[Category:Super Bowl|Super Bowl 051]] [[Category:2016 National Football League season]] [[Category:2017 in American football]] [[Category:2017 in sports in Texas]] [[Category:2010s in Houston]] [[Category:Atlanta Falcons postseason]] [[Category:American football in Houston]] [[Category:New England Patriots postseason]] [[Category:Sports competitions in Houston]] [[Category:February 2017 sports events in the United States]] [[Category:2017 in American television]]'