For three quarters, it appeared the Atlanta Falcons were headed to the first Super Bowl title in franchise history.

Then the fourth quarter happened.

And then overtime was even worse.

The Falcons lost a 28-9 lead in the final 15 minutes, and the nightmare collapse ended as the New England Patriots scored in overtime for a 34-28 victory in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston.

BradleyFalcons lose the most Atlanta game ever

The 2016 regular season was still historic for the Falcons franchise. Rise up and celebrate the Dirty Birds.

Read complete coverage of the Super Bowl on ajc.com.

Keep Reading

Kennesaw State guard Simeon Cottle shoots a technical foul shot during the second half of a game against South Florida Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at Kennesaw State University. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC))

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Featured

Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo