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          NFL Nation

          Grading the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI

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          Saturday 'speechless' after Pats' comeback win (1:25)

          Jeff Saturday credits the heart and resiliency of every Patriots player to battle adversity and complete the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. (1:25)

          • Sarah Barshop, ESPN Staff WriterFeb 6, 2017, 03:30 AM
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              Sarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated. You can follow her on Twitter @sarahbarshop.
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          HOUSTON -- The New England Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl LI. Here’s a report card of the Patriots’ performance:

          PASSING OFFENSE: A

          Tom Brady led the Patriots to the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, finishing 43-of-62 for 466 yards and two touchdowns. Brady drove New England down the field on a 10-play, 91-yard drive to tie the game with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter and an eight-play, 75-yard drive to win the game in overtime. The Falcons’ pass rush did find success getting pressure on Brady and sacked him five times, three by Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Brady also threw a pick-six in the second half -- his first in a playoff game.

          RUSHING OFFENSE: B-minus

          The Patriots’ running game got off to a bad start when LeGarrette Blount fumbled early in the second quarter, leading to the Falcons’ first touchdown of the game. It was Blount’s first fumble since Week 2 and his first lost fumble since Week 1. Blount and Dion Lewis combined to average 3.4 yards per carry, and the team finished with 104 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns, thanks to James White's impressive performance.

          PASSING DEFENSE: C

          On Sunday night, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan showed why he was the NFL MVP this season. Ryan finished 17-of-23 for 284 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 12.3 yards per attempt. New England’s offense dominated the time of possession in the second half while playing catch-up, so Ryan’s numbers weren’t overwhelming, but they were certainly efficient, especially in the first half. But, the Patriots contained Julio Jones well by double-teaming him for most of the night and holding him to four catches for 87 yards and were able to limit Ryan in the second half.

          RUSHING DEFENSE: C-minus

          The Falcons ran for 104 yards and 5.8 yards per carry. Devonta Freeman found the end zone early in the second quarter and proved difficult for the Patriots to bring down all night. On his 11 carries, he ran for an impressive 75 yards, 37 of which came on the Falcons’ first drive of the game.

          SPECIAL TEAMS: C

          Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed an extra point, and punter Ryan Allen averaged just 41.5 yards per punt.

          COACHING: B

          Early in the game, the Patriots’ coaching staff couldn't figure out a way to stop the Falcons’ pass rush, and Atlanta got pressure with four rushers. Defensively, the Patriots couldn't stop the Falcons from getting to the perimeter. New England opened up the offense and scored 19 points to tie the game in the fourth quarter and then won it in overtime with another six.