long played an important role in a critical play helping the team to a dramatic comeback victory. the patriots trailed 28–3 in the third quarter, but rallied all the way back to win the game by a score of 34–28 against the atlanta falcons, which featured the first overtime game in super bowl history and the largest comeback in super bowl history. although not appearing in any statistical category during the game, long played a crucial part in the team's comeback when falcons offensive lineman jake matthews was called for holding long on an eight-yard catch that would have put the falcons at the patriots 26-yard line for a potential game-sealing field goal. instead, the falcons were pushed out of field goal range and the patriots were able to tie the game on their following possession.