The Boston Globe - Roger That!: With Fifth Super Bowl Win, Brady and Belichicks Patriots Show Whos Boss

Julian Edelman takes the field, one more title in sight.

The Four That Came Before

XXXVI VS. RAMS (2001)

-17

XXXVIII VS. PANTHERS (2003)

32-29

XXXIX VS. EAGLES (2004)

24-21

XLIX VS. SEAHAWKS (2014)

28-24

Contents

In 2015, the Patriots lost a listless season finale in Miami that led to a playoff route through Denver. This time, they were determined to secure the AFCs top seed.

It became a matter of survival, not revenge, as the Patriots stormed back from a 28-3 deficit to the Falcons to complete the most stunning victory in Super Bowl history.

The worrisome Steelers lost star running back LeVeon Bell, and Tom Brady picked apart Pittsburghs D, hitting Chris Hogan for a team playoff-record 180 yards and two scores.

After a bye week, Brady and the offense were hounded by the tenacious Texans, but the Patriots ramped up their own defensive effort, picking off Brock Osweiler three times.

They weathered Bradys suspension and a season-ending Rob Gronkowski injury, then capped the year with a win over Miami for an 8-0 road record and the No. 1 playoff seed.

The Patriots competed in their record ninth Super Bowl, as stalwarts Belichick and Brady received brilliant assistance from coordinators Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia.

Introduction

By John Powers / Globe Staff

This one wasnt simply about revenge, although being handed the championship trophy by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, their chief prosecutor and persecutor, was supremely sweet. And it wasnt about redemption after the previous campaign ended abruptly in Denver, although this seasons mile-high payback undoubtedly was fulfilling.

The Patriots fifth Super Bowl triumph, achieved in Houston with a 34-28 overtime shocker over the Atlanta Falcons in the greatest comeback in postseason history, primarily was about persistence and posterity, a special place in professional history for owner Robert Krafts franchise, for coach Bill Belichick and for quarterback Tom Brady, who collected an especially prized ring one for the thumb. Were bringing this sucker home! declared Brady, brandishing the Lombardi Trophy after leading his teammates back from the dead with 31 unanswered points.

New England, appearing in its seventh title match in 16 seasons, won this one despite missing Brady for the first four games, despite losing favorite target Rob Gronkowski to back surgery in November and despite trading away two Pro Bowl defenders and losing another to retirement.

The team still managed to win a record eighth straight AFC East crown with its best record (14-2) in half a dozen years as a rejiggered offense with newcomers Martellus Bennett, Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell and Michael Floyd averaged four touchdowns a game and the restocked defense led the league in fewest points allowed for the first time in 13 years. Preparation, practice, execution, said Belichick, who set a record for most Super Bowl victories by a head coach. Theres no magic wand.

The Patriots prevailed because they stubbornly stuck to the game plan that has made them the most successful franchise of the millennium: Do Your Job. Its not like theyre so much better than everyone else, said a Texans executive, whose club was hammered 27-0 by a third-string quarterback. They just execute. They always execute.

Even without the man whod been calling signals for them since 2001. Im not going to lie, its like one of your buddies going to jail, said receiver Julian Edelman after Brady was suspended for his role in the Deflategate saga.

Yet with backups Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett filling in, New England still won its first three outings before being blanked at home for the first time since 1993. Were 3-1, remarked Bennett. Nobodys panicking. Were still the Patriots.

Patriots receiver Danny Amendola (80) jaws with Atlanta cornerback Brian Poole in the second quarter.

Still, after star linebacker Jamie Collins was traded to Cleveland on Halloween, observers were wondering what Belichick was up to. Shheeshhh, tweeted former defensive end Chandler Jones, whod been dealt to Arizona during the offseason. But the defense, bolstered by its exceptional secondary, performed more than creditably. And when Brady returned refreshed and resolute, his star-spangled comrades won 11 of their final 12 regular-season contests, subduing the nemesis Ravens and losing only to the Seahawks after being stopped at the goal line with 11 seconds to play.

The finale at Miami was telling. The Patriots had squandered home-field advantage by losing there in 2015. This time they clinched it throughout with a 35-14 runaway to complete a perfect road slate.

We got to right a lot of wrongs that we messed up last year, said Logan Ryan. But despite a first-round bye and what appeared to be an easy rematch with Houston, they were prepared for the hard road to the Super Bowl. Youve got to earn the right to come back to work, said safety Devin McCourty.

Scoring 70 points against the Texans and Steelers earned them a ticket to the title match, where New England defied mathematical reason and savored yet another confetti bath and its most satisfying chunk of jewelry after James White bulled his way into the end zone. This is unequivocably the sweetest, Kraft crowed. Roger that.

Super Bowl LI

By Dan Shaughnessy / Globe Staff

It will take weeks, months, maybe years to fully absorb this one, but given all the layers of drama, emotion, and improbability, the Patriots 34-28 overtime Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI might very well be the greatest moment in Boston sports history. And that, folks, is saying something.

Super Bowl LI at massive NRG Stadium was supposed to be all about revenge and a Roger Goodell trophy moment, but it wound up being the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history and a victory against which all others in every sport will forever be measured.

Thanks to all our fans, said Tom Brady, while he held the Lombardi Trophy. Youve been with us all year and were going to bring this sucker home!

The Patriots fell behind the Falcons, 21-0, in the first half. They trailed, 28-3, with less than three minutes to play in the third quarter. Forget about revenge for Deflategate penalties, it looked as if the Patriots were going to be embarrassed. And then, they scored 31 unanswered points in less than two full quarters.

We can officially retire all arguments about Greatest Of All Time. Brady is the greatest quarterback. And Bill Belichick is the greatest coach. They are the first pair to win five Super Bowls. And no one will ever forget how they got this latest one.

Playing in silent fury following his September suspension, but inspired by the presence of his ill mother, who hadnt seen him play all season, Brady threw for 466 yards and led a 91-yard, game-tying touchdown drive at the end of regulation. He was named Super Bowl MVP for a record fourth time.