One Cut.
And Gone.
That’s a @DevontaFreeman TOUCHDOWN! #SB51 #RiseUp https://t.co/YwOOi84B70
— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2017
HOUSTON — After a scoreless first quarter, the Atlanta Falcons struck first with 12:10 remaining in the second quarter of Super Bowl LI when Devonta Freeman rushed for a five-yard touchdown to give Atlanta a 7-0 lead over the New England Patriots.
Expected to be a shootout, the Over/Under for Super Bowl LI closed at 59, but that number appears as though it will be difficult to reach after both teams were held out of the end zone in the first quarter.
Freeman finished the regular season with 1,079 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns while averaging a healthy 4.8 yards per carry.
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After the first quarter, Freeman led all rushers with 42 yards on three attempts.
Freeman’s touchdown could be a good omen for the Falcons who are 9-1 this season when scoring first. According to the NFL, teams that score first in the Super Bowl have a commanding advantage, owning a .720 winning percentage in the previous 50 Super Bowl games.
The Falcons quickly followed up Freeman’s touchdown run with a 14-yard Austin Hooper touchdown from Matt Ryan which upped Atlanta’s lead to 14-0 with 8:48 remaining in the second quarter after the Patriots failed to score on their previous possession.
You can check out video of Freeman’s touchdown above and one shot from field level after his sick cut resulted in a dive for the pylon below:
Epic. #SB51 #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/1MHyvNeTNi
— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2017
Matt Lombardo may be reached at MDLombardo@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardo975.
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