The Super Bowl That Took Everyone’s Breath Away

The Super Bowl That Took Everyone’s Breath Away

Brady finished 37 of 50 for 328 yards and four touchdowns. (John Biever/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

LeGarrette Blount was the focus early, but New England couldn’t quite pound the ball the way it wanted to. (David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Pats punter Ryan Allen was a weapon, averaging 49 yards per kick. (Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

K.J. Wright proved no match for Gronk, who beat him easily on a second-quarter score. (John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Unheralded Chris Matthews used his height to full advantage on his second-quarter touchdown catch. (Donald Miralle/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

The essence of football. (Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

The Pats kick off. (Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Danny Amendola snared the pass that brought the Pats to within three at 24-21. (Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Julian Edelman looked bemused by Tharold Simon’s reaction to his touchdown catch with just over two minutes left. (Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Edelman unleashed his inner Gronk. (John Biever/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Nothing came easy against the NFL’s best defense; all the more reason for Brady to exult after one of his four touchdown passes. (Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Kearse’s crazy catch set up the final fateful series of plays. (Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Marshawn Lynch came up one yard short of the go-ahead score on first down. (Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Malcolm Butler, the rookie from West Alabama, became the hero when he jumped Ricardo Lockette’s route for the pick. (John Iacono/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Russell Wilson walks off after the interception. (John Biever/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Tom Brady and Russell Wilson. (Donald Miralle for Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Rob Ninkovich, champion. (John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Chandler Jones takes a moment to soak it all in. (John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)

Brady joins Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks. (Donald Miralle/Sports Illustrated/The MMQB)