Falcons’ Freeman on Super Bowl: ‘If I would have stayed in the game, I would have got MVP’

Falcons running back Devonta Freeman avoids a tackle by Duron Harmon during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston.

Credit: Tom Pennington

Credit: Tom Pennington

Falcons running back Devonta Freeman avoids a tackle by Duron Harmon during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston.

If the Atlanta Falcons held on to their 28-3 lead in the third quarter of February’s Super Bowl, running back Devonta Freeman thinks he would have been named Super Bowl MVP.

In an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio with Brady Quinn and Bruce Murray, Freeman discussed his ongoing contract negotiations, the Falcons' Super Bowl loss and adjusting to new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.

Freeman also told Quinn and Murray that if he had stayed in the game in the fourth quarter, he would have been crowned Super Bowl MVP.

“I hate to go there but I was supposed to be the MVP this year of the Super Bowl, but it’s all good, we got another shot,” Freeman said.

When Quinn and Murray brought up Matt Ryan and his Super Bowl performance, Freeman did not waver in his opinion that he would have won MVP if the Falcons won the game.

Ryan— the league’s reigning MVP— threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns in February’s Super Bowl loss.

“I don’t want to make this no competition thing with me and my quarterback,” Freeman said. “I’m just talking about from based off that game. Let’s (say) it like this: if I would have kept getting the ball, if I would have stayed in the game, I don’t know why I got out of the game actually.

“But if I would have stayed in the game, I would have got MVP. I’m looking at my stats and I see my numbers didn’t lie. Look at my numbers.”

Freeman had 11 carries for 75 yards and one touchdown in the Falcons' 34-28 overtime Super Bowl loss. Freeman also had two receptions for 46 yards.

Suggested video: