The quarter-by-quarter breakdown of how Patriots dug a hole and climbed out in Super Bowl LI:

First Quarter: Falcons 0, Patriots 0

Playing in his seventh Super Bowl, Tom Brady appeared as comfortable as ever. The four-time champion completed five of his first six passes to five different receivers, including four on the Patriots’ second drive of the game.

Brady found Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola and James White, each for receptions longer than 10 yards. The Patriots’ running game failed to record much of anything. LaGarrette Blount had four carries for a total of 11 yards in the Patriots’ first scoreless quarter in their last 32.

The Falcons’ defense sacked Brady twice, with Courtney Upshaw and Grady Jarrett getting to the quarterback. Rookie Deion Jones recorded four solo tackles and one pass defensed on a halfback wheel route that would have converted a second-and-19. The defense, proclaimed largely as the Falcons’ weak link, did all it could to shake that label.

However, the Falcons explosive offense did not live up to its billing in the game’s first 15 minutes. NFL MVP Matt Ryan completed just two passes in the quarter — both to fullback Patrick DiMarco — but failed to sustain drives. Its biggest play came on the legs of running back Devonta Freeman for a 37-yard run to move out from the shadow of its own end zone, showcasing the type of sideline-to-sideline speed that has hurt the Patriots.

Second Quarter: Falcons 21, Patriots 3

The first game-changing play came from Atlanta’s Deion Jones, who successfully stripped Patriots running back LaGarrette Blount just 52 seconds into the quarter. The Falcons offense did the rest, starting with back-to-back catches from Julio Jones. The Falcons’ No. 1 receiving threat covered 42 yards through the air before Freeman finished off the drive with a touchdown run for the game’s first points.

Then, after forcing the Patriots into a three-and-out, the Falcons offense marched down the field on a five-play, 62-yard drive, highlighted by an 18-yard sideline catch from Jones. Three plays later, Ryan found rookie Austin Hooper, who scored all of three touchdowns during the regular season, in the end zone to give the Patriots their largest Super Bowl deficit under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

It would only grow worse. After the Falcons’ defense gave the Patriots offense life with three holding penalties on three third downs, it took it away. Falcons cornerback Robert Alford picked off Tom Brady on a crossing pattern and returned it for an 82-yard touchdown. But the Patriots would get on the board late as Stephen Gostkowski nailed a 41-yard field goal to cut the halftime deficit to 18.

Third Quarter: Falcons 28, Patriots 9

After a 21-point second quarter, the Falcons offense could do very little on its opening drive of the third quarter. Patriots linebacker Don’ta Hightower took down Freeman for a 3-yard loss on the second play, resulting in the Falcons’ first three-and-out of the game.

The Falcons defense forced the Patriots into a three-and-out on its first drive, helped out by critical drops from both Edelman and Chris Hogan, before once again showcasing their explosive offense. Taylor Gabriel used a head juke to fake out Patriots’ corner Malcolm Butler for a 35-yard completion. Two plays later, Gabriel forced Butler into a pass interference, leading to a short touchdown catch by Tevin Coleman.

For the first time all game, the Patriots offense would respond. Brady orchestrated a 13-play, 75-yard drive, which including his 15-yard scramble, a fourth-and-3 conversion and the eventual 6-yard touchdown reception by James White. But Gostkowski hit the upright on his extra-point attempt before his onside kick also failed. It marked his fifth missed extra point of the season after having just one miss over his first 10 seasons.

Tom Brady runs onto the field before Super Bowl LI. Shutterstock Devonta Freeman runs for a first down in the first half. Getty Images Devonta Freeman dives into the endzone for a touchdown in the second quarter to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead over the Patriots. Matt Ryan looks to make a pass in the second quarter. Getty Images Austin Hooper makes a touchdown catch against the Patriots' Patrick Chung in the second quarter to give the Falcons a 14-0 lead. Matt Ryan celebrates with his teammates after completing a touchdown pass to Austin Hooper in the second quarter. Bill Belichick yells at a referee after a penalty was called against the Patriots on a blocked point-after attempt. Reuters Robert Alford runs for a touchdown after intercepting Tom Brady in the second quarter to give the Falcons a 21-0 lead. EPA Getty Images Tom Brady reacts after throwing an interception for a touchdown in the second quarter. EPA Dan Quinn looks on from the sideline during the first half. Tom Brady leaves the field at halftime with the Patriots down 21-3 against the Falcons. Getty Images Tevin Coleman runs past the Patriots' Rob Ninkovich into the endzone in the third quarter to extend the Falcons' lead to 28-3. AP Matt Ryan celebrates a touchdown pass to Tevin Coleman in the third quarter. Getty Images James White dives into the end zone in the third quarter for the Patriots' first touchdown of the game. AP James White celebrates a third-quarter touchdown with his Patriots teammates with the Falcons still leading 28-9 after a missed point-after attempt. Getty Images Julio Jones makes a catch near the sideline over the Patriots' Eric Rowe in the fourth quarter. AP Tom Brady celebrates a Patriots touchdown in the fourth quarter. EPA Julian Edelman makes a crazy catch during a Patriots' touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Getty Images Danny Amendola scores a two-point conversion to tie the game, 28-28, in the fourth quarter. EPA James White scores the game-winning touchdown to seal a Patriots victory in Super Bowl LI. UPI Tom Brady holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Falcons in Super Bowl LI. Getty Images Bill Belichick celebrates the Patriots' victory over the Falcons in Super Bowl LI. Getty Images Tom Brady and Bill Belichick hug after coming back to win Super Bowl LI. EPA Ad Up Next Close Conway blames 'haters' for 'Bowling Green Massacre' backlash WASHINGTON – Top Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway on Sunday said... 24 View Slideshow Back Continue Share this: Facebook

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Fourth Quarter/Overtime: Patriots 31, Falcons 28

Brady’s offense orchestrated its second consecutive drive of 10 plays or more, but the Falcons defense stiffened when it mattered most. Jarrett sacked Brady on back-to-back plays, forcing the Patriots into a field-goal attempt, tying a Super Bowl record with three sacks.

Hightower forced Ryan into a fumble on the Falcons’ next drive, giving the Patriots their best field position of the game. It took Brady just four plays to lead the Patriots into the end zone, completing a 6-yard strike to Amendola followed by a two-point conversion on a rush up the middle by James White, making it a one-score contest.

On the ensuing Falcons drive, Ryan and Jones teamed up for what seemed to be the game-clinching catch along the sideline. But penalties and a sack forced the Falcons into a punt, setting up Brady with a chance to tie the game with 3:38 remaining.

Ten plays later, and after an incredible catch from Julian Edelman, the Patriots found the end zone on White’s 2-yard rush up the middle. Amendola converted the two-point conversion to tie the game after the Pariots trailed by 25 points.

In overtime, the Patriots wasted little time in securing Brady’s record fifth Super Bowl win. It took eight plays and 75 yards for Brady to march his team down the field before White rushed for his third touchdown of the game to secure the win. Brady completed 6-of-8 passes on the drive while never facing a third down.