The New England Patriots were crowned champions on Sunday night after escaping with a 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks in their dramatic Super Bowl XLIX showdown at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The top two teams in the league engaged in a see-saw battle with the Patriots dominating early in first half as they took a 14-7 lead with 31 seconds left to play.
However, the Seahawks scored a touchdown before the half ended to tie the game before they dominated in the second half and built 24-14 lead, which they held until the Patriots scored two touchdowns in the final eight minutes of the match en route to a come-from-behind victory.
Who's the hero for the Patriots?
The Seahawks were on the verge of winning their second Super Bowl in as many years after Jermaine Kearse made an amazing catch followed by a run from Marshawn Lynch, which put them on the 1-yard line late in the game.
However, Patriots rookie made the biggest play of his young career as he intercepted a pass from Russell Wilson in the ensuing play with 20 seconds left, which sealed the victory for New England.
"I just had a vision that I was going to make a big play and it came true," Butler said in a post-game interview. "I'm just blessed. I can't explain it right now. It's crazy."
Tom Brady was also on target for the Patriots as the 37-year-old quarterback completed 37-of-50 passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns, which led to the 28 points scored by New England. While he played well on Sunday night, Brady credited Butler for the win that gave him his fourth Super Bowl title and third MVP award.
"Malcolm, what a play," Brady said of Butler's game-winning interception. "I mean, for a rookie to make a play like that in a Super Bowl and win us the game, it was unbelievable."
Who's to blame for Seattle's Collapse?
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson completed 12-of-21 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but his pass in their final play cost them the title.
Fans are questioning Wilson's decision to pass instead of handing the ball to Marshawn Lynch, which could have led to a game-winning and title-clinching touchdown for the Seahawks. After the game, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll took the blame for the controversial play call in their final possession.
"I told those guys, that's my fault, totally," Carroll said in a post-game interview. "But we had plenty of time to win the game. We were playing for third and fourth down, give them no time left, but didn't work out that way."
