Tom Brady led one of the greatest comebacks in sports history, lifting New England from a 25-point hole against the Atlanta Falcons to the Patriots' fifth Super Bowl victory, the first ever in overtime.

The Patriots scored 19 points in the final quarter, including a pair of two-point conversions, then marched relentlessly to James White's two-yard touchdown run in overtime to beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 on Monday (AEDT).

Brady, the first quarterback with five Super Bowl rings, guided the Patriots (17-2) through a tiring Atlanta defence for fourth-quarter touchdowns on a six-yard pass to Danny Amendola and a one-yard run by White, which came with 57 seconds remaining in regulation.

Running back James White scored three touchdowns, including the game-winner. ( AP: Elise Amendola )

White ran for the first two-pointer and Amendola did the deed with a reception on the second.

Brady, winning Super Bowl MVP for a record fourth time, finished 43 for 62, the most attempts in Super Bowl history, for 466 yards, also a record, and two touchdowns.

"You know, we all brought each other back," Brady said.

"We never felt out of it. It was a tough battle. They have a great team. I give them a lot of credit. We just made a few more plays than them."

Before the stunning rally, New England already held the biggest comeback in the final period when it turned around a 10-point deficit to beat Seattle two years ago, the Falcons (13-6) appeared poised to take their first NFL championship in 51 seasons.

Having never been in such a pressurised environment, their previously staunch pass rush disappeared, they stumbled on offense and Brady tore them apart.

"Deflategate" far behind them, Brady and coach Bill Belichick won their 25th post-season game, by far a record.

Belichick became the first coach with five Super Bowl crowns.

The Patriots won the coin toss for overtime and it was no contest. Brady completed six passes against an overmatched Falcons secondary. A pass interference call took the ball to the two-yard line, and White scooted to his right and barely over the goal line.

It was almost an impossible dream for the Patriots a bit earlier. But helped by Matt Ryan's fumble on a sack, Julian Edelman's catch off of a defender's shoe, and Brady's passing, they never stopped coming.

White scored three touchdowns and had 14 receptions for 110 yards, but Brady hit seven different receivers.

Ryan's Falcons look unstoppable early

Star quarterback Matt Ryan was a leading light in the early stages for the Falcons. ( AP: Eric Gay )

Until the Patriots took charge with their late surge, league MVP Ryan was outplaying Brady.

Atlanta's defence backed up its high-octane offence, getting two sacks on the Patriots' next drive in what would be a scoreless opening quarter.

It sure looked as if the Patriots would get on the board immediately in the second period as Brady and Edelman connected twice for 40 yards, but it was not to happen.

Blanketed by defenders all night, Atlanta's Julio Jones still showed why he is an All-Pro receiver with a tough leaping catch over the middle for 19 yards, then got open on the sideline for 23 and running back Devonta Freeman did the rest.

Devonta Freeman was a force for Atlanta, but was kept quiet in the second half. ( AP: Tony Gutierrez )

Before New England could catch its breath, Ryan had the Falcons up by 14. Using the no-huddle attack to perfection, he threw for 51 yards on a 52-yard drive, hitting tight end Austin Hooper with a pinpoint pass in the left side of the end zone.

Then Brady was victimised by his own poor decisions, a rarity on the big stage. Atlanta was called for defensive holding three times on third downs to keep a Patriots drive alive. From the Falcons' 23, Brady tried to squeeze a throw to Danny Amendola under pressure.

But Robert Alford stepped in to intercept, then glided 82 yards for the second-longest pick six in a Super Bowl and Brady's first. Shockingly, it was 21-0.

New England gathered its wits for a 52-yard drive to Stephen Gostkowski's 41-yard field goal, but it was 21-3 when Lady Gaga took the stage at half-time.

The Falcons kept coming, marching 85 yards to Tevin Coleman's six-yard touchdown catch on a swing pass, but that was when New England and the Patriots kicked off their miraculous comeback, adding to Atlanta's long history of pro sports frustration.

Tom Brady beams with the Lombardi Trophy for a fifth time. ( AP: Darron Cummings )

AP