The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons advanced to Super Bowl LI in Houston on Feb. 5 after blowout victories in the AFC and NFC championship games on Sunday. The Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 and the Falcons beat Green Bay 44-21.
New England quarterback Tom Brady completed 32 of 42 passes for a post-season Patriots record 384 yards, said the Boston Globe. His efforts, including three touchdown passes, cemented New England's victory.
In their final game in the Georgia Dome, Atlanta raced out to a 17-0 lead before settling for a 44-21 rout of the Green Bay Packers. This will be the second time the Falcons have reached the Super Bowl and the first time in 18 years, said the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Patriots move on to the Super Bowl for the ninth time, an NFL record, and the second time in three seasons. They entered the game tied with Dallas, Denver, and Pittsburgh with eight Super Bowl appearances each.
"It hasn't sunk in yet," Brady said after the game. "It's unbelievable. It's unbelievable."
Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan completed 27 of 38 passes for 392 yards and four touchdowns.
"We'll enjoy it because it's hard to get to this point," said Ryan about going to the Super Bowl. "I know that from experience. But our ultimate goal is still in front of us."
The last time a Super Bowl was played in Houston -- Feb. 4, 2004 -- Adam Vinatieri kicked a 41-yard field goal in the game's final four seconds and New England beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29, said ESPN.
Two years before that game, Vinatieri kicked a game-winning Super Bowl field goal in the Patriots' victory over the St. Louis Rams. He now plays for the Indianapolis Colts,
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