The Atlanta Falcons lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI, 34-28
The Atlanta Falcons had the Super Bowl won, and then they didn’t. Led by Tom Brady, the New England made the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, down 28-3 midway through the third quarter, to win 34-28 in the first Super Bowl overtime.
Former Hawkeyes Jonathan Babineaux, the longest tenured Falcon who has been with the team since 2005, and Adrian Clayborn, who didn’t play because of a torn bicep, barely missed out on their first Super Bowl ring.
Grady Jarrett stole the show on Atlanta’s defense with his three sacks, but Babineaux also played well in his first Super Bowl. In the first half, he had one tackle, four quarterback pressures and earned the third highest grade on Atlanta’s defense, according to Pro Football Focus.
Top-graded Falcons on defense, 1H
— PFF (@PFF) February 6, 2017
ED Dwight Freeney 84.4
CB Robert Alford 83.1
DI Jonathan Babineaux 80.4
LB Deion Jones 80.2#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/mBhjGK3qHx
Babineaux continued to pressure Brady and had a couple of good plays in coverage in the second half, too. Although, despite the many times he got close, he could never sack Brady.
Still, Babineaux failing to win a ring in his 12th season will be one of the most under talked about stories this Super Bowl. Babineaux isn’t in his prime anymore and recorded career-lows of tackles and sacks in 2016.
He’s been on the Falcons since they drafted him 59th overall in 2005, though. Only a handful of players have played as many games (185) or started as many games (133) with one team as Babineaux has with the Atlanta Falcons.
Babineaux stuck with Atlanta through six .500 or worse seasons, while becoming one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in 2009. He didn’t get any media coverage, didn’t put up gaudy numbers in the Super Bowl, but Babineaux, the former Iowa Hawkeye, played well in his first Super Bowl appearance but fell just short of winning his first championship.
In the 2016 regular season, Babineaux recorded 22 tackles and had one pass deflection. Clayborn recorded 22 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Next: Game Awards: Iowa Basketball Wins Third Straight Game
Congrats to the New England Patriots on winning Super Bowl LI.