Tuesday 7 February 2017 09:02, UK
Every Super Bowl has those moments of magic, when one spectacular play changes the course of the game.
Super Bowl LI had a flurry of them, and players from both sides made a number of inspired efforts that could have defined the game.
It was the New England Patriots who came out on top, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28, to lift their fifth Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Quarterback Tom Brady was awarded the game's MVP, his fourth time receiving the honour, as he set records for number of passes, completions and passing yards. But who else was in the running? Sky Sports makes the case for five others.
New England's most versatile weapon not only caught ten passes, for 110 yards and a touchdown, but added two rushing scores and a two-point conversion.
His final TD, in overtime, was the game winner. Quite the step up for a player who had just five touchdowns in the regular season.
Don't take my word for it, though. Speaking at Monday morning's press conference, Brady himself said that "White deserves it".
Every year the MVP is given a new truck, and two years ago Brady gave it away to cornerback Malcolm Butler, who made the game-winning play. After Sunday's performance, White may have to make room in his garage.
The Patriots wide receiver made one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history, snapping the ball up after it bounced off Falcons cornerback Robert Alford's leg.
With the 23-yard gain confirmed by video replays, New England continued their march downfield, tying the game with just seconds to spare, and forcing the first overtime in Super Bowl history.
Without Edelman's clutch reflexes, the Patriots may never have got the chance to complete their astounding 25-point comeback.
Having just scored a 33-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, Stephen Gostkowski punted the ball back down to the Atlanta 17-yard line.
Three plays later, linebacker Hightower brought Falcons QB Matt Ryan to the ground, stripping the ball out and forcing an opportunity for the Patriots to recover, inside Atlanta's 25-yard line.
New England went on to score, twice, but that play was a real game-changer. Hightower, a free-agent this summer, just upped his value substantially.
At one point, prediction analysts had the Falcons' chances of winning at 99.6%. A 19-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter, the stage looked set for Atlanta to win their first championship.
Had it played out, fans would have been heralding Alford's interception of Tom Brady as the moment they secured victory.
Reading Brady's pass, the cornerback cut inside to snatch the ball away from Danny Amendola, before tearing down the sideline for an 82-yard pick six and stretching Atlanta's lead to 21-0.
An unbelievable play in its own right, but will be pushed into the background, as Brady's comeback takes centre stage.
Unorthodox to pick a coach, but which other leader, in any sport, would you trust to bring a team back from a record deficit?
Down 21-3 at half time, we may never know what Belichick said to his players in the locker room. But as well as motivating his players, the tactics he employed to slow down the NFL's best offence, during the game, pay testament to his ability as a defensive mastermind.
Unsurprisingly, Belichick gave the credit to his players and staff, but there is no doubt it was New England's head coach who performed at the top of his game on Sunday night, and came away with the win.
