Against the Odds: Superbowl LI Quiz

Answer: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

On 16 October 2012, it was announced by the NFL that Reliant Stadium, renamed the NRG Stadium in 2014, was in contention to host the game. Miami was also a finalist, but on 3 May 2013 the Florida legislature announced it would not fund renovations of Hard Rock Stadium, which severely hurt its candidacy. Hard Rock Stadium won the right to host Superbowl LIV in February 2020, voted for in May 2016.
Raymond James Stadium won the rights to host Superbowl LV.

Answer: 10th

Belichick's coaching career began in 1975. As defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, he helped the team win Super Bowl XXI and XXV. He teamed up with former Giants coach Bill Parcells in New England, taking the team to a Super Bowl XXXI appearance. (Lost to the Green Bay Packers)

He joined the Patriots as head coach in 2000, leading the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXVI, Super Bowl XXXVIII and Super Bowl XXXIX wins. After losses in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI, the Pats won Super Bowl XLIX. His tenth appearance in Super Bowl LI broke a tie with former Denver Broncos head coach Dan Reeves, who had nine.

Answer: Devonta Freeman

Freeman made the run from Atlanta's five-yard line. Freeman's effort led to a 37-yard pick up for the Falcons, although the drive would end with a punt. Jones had four catches in the game equalling 87 yards in total, the largest of which was a 27-yard catch in the fourth quarter. White had 14 catches (a Super Bowl record) for 110 yards, with his biggest a 28-yard play at the end of the first half. Edelman had five catches for 87 yards.

Answer: 6

The two largest comebacks in NFL history both occurred in the post-season. The biggest was the 32 point comeback (35-3) by the Buffalo Bills against the Houston Oilers in the January 1993 playoffs, winning 41-38 in overtime. The second biggest was the 45-44 win by the Indianapolis Colts against the Kansas City Chiefs in the January 2014 playoffs after trailing 38-10 early in the 3rd quarter.

In December 1980, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the New Orleans Saints 38-35 after trailing 35-7. The Bills rebounded from 26-0 down to beat the Colts 37-35 in 1997. Like the Patriots, in 1987 the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after trailing 28-3, winning 31-28 and the Cleveland Browns rebounded from the same scoreline in 2014 to beat the Tennesee Titans 29-28.

Answer: LaRoy Reynolds

The Patriots' drive length was a big issue, as they were already in a race against time. The drive was 13 plays and 75 yards, leaving 2:09 on the clock in the third quarter. Stephen Gostkowski missed the extra point, leaving the Patriots trailing 9-28.

The onside kick that followed was of poor quality, as it hit Gostkowski before it went ten yards, an illegal touch. Either way, the Falcons recovered, with LaRoy Reynolds recovering the ball.

Answer: Trey Flowers & Kyle Van Noy

It was a massive play for the Patriots, as the three-and-out had forced Atlanta's offense, which since the second quarter had looked unstoppable, off the field. The defensive effort had also been aided by a holding call on Atlanta lineman Jake Matthews which pushed the Falcons out of potential field goal range.

Answer: Alan Branch

With the Falcons offense still threatening, and with the Patriots desperate to stop Atlanta's offensive threats, the Falcons did not anticipate a blitz from the Patriots on third down. However, it did happen, and Hightower hit a stunned Ryan, who had expected his blindside to be covered. He dropped the ball, and Branch recovered the fumble that came as a result.

Answer: Chris Hogan

The legendary drive started with two incompletions, with Brady throwing incomplete passes intended for James White and Hogan. Brady then found Hogan for 16 yards before he was tackled by Jalen Collins. After an incomplete pass to Edelman, Brady found Mitchell for 11 yards to take it to their own 46. Brady then found Edelman on a miracle 23-yard play in which Robert Alford nearly intercepted the ball, with Edelman catching it after it landed on Keanu Neal's shin and Ricardo Allen's arm. Completions of 20 (to Amendola), 13 and 7 (both to White) gave the Patriots a first and goal that White ran in. Brady found Amendola on a two point conversion in the last minute, to level it at 28-28 and send the game into ovhertime.

Answer: He's in! Patriots win the Super Bowl!

While Buck is an often maligned commentator amongst NFL fans, his commentary of this game was praised by many onlookers. The line was followed by manic celebrations and confetti for the Patriots, who had just orchestrated the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. Brady was 5/7 on the drive, finding James White twice and Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan once. White had two runs for 12 yards and a touchdown.

Answer: 19

24 records were broken while another seven were tied during Super Bowl LI. Some of these records were broken at the first whistle, such as Tom Brady extending his record of most Super Bowls appearances (7) and most Super Bowls played in by a franchise (The Patriots were playing in their ninth Super Bowl, breaking a tie with the Steelers and Broncos).

Many player records were broken due to the great performances of certain players, particularly that of Tom Brady. TB12 broke the record for most passing yards in a Super Bowl (466), most completed passes in a Super Bowl (43) and after his victory he became the first quarterback to win five Super Bowl championships. Running back James White also broke the record for most receptions in a Super Bowl (14) and most points scored with 20. (He had three touchdowns and converted a two-point conversion).