A Super Bowl for the history books. The final spot in our ‘Countdown to Super Bowl 52,’ a look back at Super Bowl LI in Houston between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.
February 5, 2017
Despite jumping out to a 28-3 lead early, the Atlanta Falcons would fall capture to one of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s signature comebacks, with the Patriots completing the most improbably comeback in Super Bowl history, a 34-28 victory in the first ever Super Bowl overtime.
Brady would walk away with Super Bowl MVP honors once again, tossing 466 yards and two touchdowns in a game that Patriots owner Robert Kraft would call “unequivocally the sweetest” Super Bowl victory of the Patriots’ dominant dynasty.
An average of 111.3 million viewers caught Super Bowl LI on FOX, and the cost of a 30-second spot stayed at the $5 million asking price from Super Bowl 50. Lady Gaga would perform a legendary halftime show at Houston’s NRG Stadium.
Completed by one of the most memorable Super Bowls to date, the 2016-17 NFL Season was one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory. From the conclusion of “Deflate Gate,” to Brady’s redemption, to the first year without “The Sheriff” and the rise of the Atlanta Falcons. We take a walk down memory lane and review the season that was in the NFL.
The “Rise” of the MVP
The surprise team of the 2016-17 NFL season was without a doubt, the Atlanta Falcons. Behind a stellar offensive attack and a surprisingly stingy defense, the Falcons claimed their first NFC title in decades, due large in part to league MVP, quarterback Matt Ryan.
Ryan finished the 2016 campaign with career-bests in yards (4,994), touchdowns (38), interceptions (7), completion percentage (69.9%) and quarterback ratings (117.1). The evening before his Super Bowl LI appearance, Ryan would go on to be named the 2016 NFL MVP.
First Year Without Peyton
The 2016-17 NFL season marked the first year since 1997 that former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos quarterback and two-time Super Bowl winner Peyton Manning would not be under center. “The Sheriff” announced his retirement after his Super Bowl 50 victory in 2016 with the Denver Broncos, marking the end of his illustrious 18-year career. Sophomore quarterback Trevor Siemian would take over for the Broncos, although Denver would miss the playoffs.
Deflate Gate Revenge
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady would finally go on to serve his four-game suspension, despite his multiple appeals, relating to the “Deflate Gate” drama from years prior. Despite Brady missing the first four games, the Patriots would be led to a 3-1 record by quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, leaving the door open for Brady to come back and complete one of his best statistical seasons to date.
Super Bowl LI
The Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots would square off in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, in what would become one of the most exciting Super Bowls to date.
Atlanta would hold a 28-9 lead heading into the 4th quarter, but with “Tom Terrific” leading the way, the Patriots were not to be counted out. Mounting the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, and creating the first overtime Super Bowl in league history, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots would capture their 5th Super Bowl trophy in the Belichick-Brady era. Brady would take home Super Bowl MVP, throwing for a Super Bowl record 466 yards and two touchdowns on 62 pass attempts.
Described as the best pre-game event before the Super Bowl, the 2017 Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LI was the biggest and best event to date. We look back at some of the various outlets that covered the event, and what they had to say.
TMZ Sports
The guys at TMZ Sports talked to celebrity chef Guy Fieri ahead of the 2017 Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LI in Houston.
CBS “Tailgate Fan”
The NFL’s biggest event of the year attracts some big-time pregame parties and this past weekend was no different. Host Nick Stevens and the crew of Tailgate Fan made the trip down to Houston to check out the local scene in the lead up to the big game. Read the full story here.
Eater.com
“In the middle of the sold-out kickoff party, Fieri explained the Super Bowl/tailgating conundrum: “At football games, you tailgate all year, then you go to the Super Bowl, and they don’t allow tailgating… We didn’t like that, so we thought we’d throw the best tailgate party anyone’s ever seen.” That bash included a BBQ Butts and Brisket station, as well as a Mac Daddy Mac N Cheese stand, and a dessert counter called the Flavortown Finale Ice Cream & Candy Bar. On the lighter side of things, the celebrity chef served ahi tuna poke, made with fish that was flown in fresh from Hawaii. Clearly, no expense was spared at this suped-up Super Bowl smorgasbord.” Read the full story here.
PopSugar
“If anyone knows how to tailgate and throw the most epic Super Bowl party, it’s Guy Fieri. He hosted the tailgate at last year’s Super Bowl in San Francisco. Guy told POPSUGAR, “After that experience . . . I had such a good time. I said, ‘Let’s take it to another level.'” So he’s headed to Houston for this year’s Super Bowl (Patriots vs. Falcons) to throw the ultimate pregame party.” Read the full story here.
The Players Tailgate at the Super Bowl has been called the “greatest pre-Super Bowl party around,” and at Super Bowl LI, the 2017 Players Tailgate was no different.
Bullseye’s Players Tailgate offers fans the VIP experience of a lifetime, a chance to hang out with celebrity chefs like Guy Fieri, over 40 active players, eat from an incredible menu and drink some of the most iconic brands. A look at some of the best pictures and tweets from our incredible VIP fans, chefs and guests from 2017.
Emcee Jaymee Sire caught up with newly-crowned NFL Rookie of the Year, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
The Players Tailgate at the Super Bowl has created a reputation of being the best game day experience ahead of the Super Bowl. And with celebrities, big-name chefs and active players galore, the 2017 Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LI promises to be no different.
Yahoo! Finance recently wrote an article, “The $400,000 Way to Do the Super Bowl,” in which they listed some of the most high-end luxuries of taking a trip to the Super Bowl. While not all of the options are necessarily cost-friendly for the average football fan, the 2017 Players Tailgate ranks as the cheapest event with the most bang for the buck.
“Ignore the fact that this event is being co-hosted by Guy Fieri. The Players Tailgate is less about the Buffalo grilled chicken tacos and Mac Daddy Mac n’ Cheese and more about rubbing elbows with big name players such as Landon Collins (NY Giants) and Hall of Famer Walter Jones.” – Yahoo! Finance
Get your tickets TODAY for the best pre-game tailgate before Super Bowl LI in Houston! Located just 1.5 blocks from NRG Stadium, the2017 Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LI features an all-star culinary experience created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, ESPN’s Jaymee Sire, entertainment from the world-renowned DJ Irie, over 30 active and former NFL players and more. Get your tickets now!
As we approach Super Bowl LI weekend in Houston, we begin constructing the greatest pre-game tailgate before the Super Bowl, the Players Tailgate. The Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LI in Houston features celebrity chef Guy Fieri leading an all-pro team of celebrity chefs in the creation of an incredible menu, ESPN’s Jaymee Sire will emcee the event and world-renowned DJ Irie will bring the entertainment. Over 30 active players will also be in attendance, hanging out with our Players Tailgate VIP guests.
Fox News Travel recently listed their top 5 “over-the-top” Super Bowl weekend parties and getaways, with #1 on the list being, you guessed it, the 2017 Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LI in Houston.
“A Super Bowl party is just a get together without the right munchies. So why not go to a pre-game party hosted by one of the country’s most famous chefs? Guy Fieri is the official 2017 Players Tailgate chef at the Super Bowl in Houston, and he’ll be serving up some satisfying eats from an all-star menu. The Players Tailgate will feature “an open premium bar and all-you-can-eat dining with gourmet dishes.” And it’s less than two blocks away from the stadium.” – Fox News Travel
Get your tickets TODAY for the best pre-game tailgate before Super Bowl LI in Houston! Located just 1.5 blocks from NRG Stadium, the 2017 Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LI features an all-star culinary experience created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, ESPN’s Jaymee Sire, entertainment from the world-renowned DJ Irie, over 30 active and former NFL players and more. Get your tickets now!
The countdown to Super Bowl LI in Houston is on! As you prepare for the big game with your Super Bowl LI Travel Package from Bullseye, we want to help get you ready for the days leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, by finding you some of the best bars in the Houston area.
“When a bar makes and sells its own crystal-clear, hand-carved ice to keep its cocktails flawlessly chilled, you know it’s legit. Then, when it tacks on stuff like liquid nitrogen-chilled glassware and homemade bitters and syrups, you really, really know it’s legit. Helmed by beverage director Alex Gregg (and with the admirable Leslie Krockenberger formerly of Treadsack and Canard joining the team), the program is a constant evolution of freak-out-worthy cocktails. In the menu’s most recent iteration, the bar brought back its most beloved classics and re-mixed the drinks with a new, fresher perspective. Like the Sitar Wolf, a rum-based, mango-tamarind-curry cocktail that got “Dressed In Black” with the addition of coconut syrup and a tamarind-infused rum.” – Thrillist.com
“Axelrad bills itself as a “community-gathering place,” and they ain’t lying. The bar offers up an array of beer, wine and spirits, Luigi’s Pizza is served up right next door and live music is a constant. Oh yeah, Axelrad also boasts a hammock grove, which makes it an ideal Sunday afternoon drinking spot.” – Houston Press
“Come as you are to this no-frills joint located inside the beloved Phoenicia Specialty Foods market. Though it otherwise has all the atmosphere of your local Starbucks, the bar feels buzzy when a DJ or live band hits the stage, which is often, and gets packed when there’s a concert or a basketball game at nearby Toyota Center. As a bonus, pretty much every wine on offer pairs well with the store’s flaky baklava. Just saying.” – Houstonia Magazine
“Houston’s O.G. craft cocktail spot Anvil Bar + Refuge has been serving up some of the city’s best libations since 2009. The recently-updated cocktail menu features killer cocktails that are perfect for sipping in the spring, like the Chuck Jones, a rum-based cocktail mixed with white port, egg white, lemon, and carrot.” – Eater Houston
Petrol Station (985 Wakefield Drive, Houston, TX, 77018)
“Entering the scene way back in the harrowed days of 2007, this cool kid’s watering hole was one of the first full-fledged craft beer bars in Houston. It remains one of today’s best thanks to a solid library of interesting, hard-to-score suds that both beer nerds and regular Joe’s can get behind. Just be warned: No one’s looking to hold your hand here. You’ll have to make your way through the list of “Younglings,” “Padawans,” and “Jedis” all by yourself. That’s OK, the Rancor burger will be there to offer support.” – Thrillist.com
Want to check the Super Bowl off your bucket list?Travel packages to Super Bowl LI in Houston are available now! Including some of the most luxurious hotels in Houston, a ticket to the 2017 Players Tailgate featuring America’s favorite chef, Guy Fieri, and an all-star culinary team of chefs, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jaymee Sire, and a ticket to the big game!
Bullseye Event Group is elated to announce a partnership with brewery-giant Anheuser Busch for the 2017 Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LI in Houston.
“We are thrilled about our partnership with Anheuser Busch, bringing in some of their high-end brands for our Players Tailgate VIP guests,” Bullseye CEO Kyle Kinnett said. “Their high-end brands fit perfectly with our high-end event, and we’re excited for our guests to experience what’s in store.”
Anheuser Busch, one of the most iconic brewing companies in the world, brings some of their highest-end brands to the 2017 Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LI, including: Stella Artois, Shock Top Belgian White, Goose Island IPA, Blue Point Toasted Lager, Karbach Brewing, Spiked Seltzer and the exclusive Players Tailgate “Boat Bar.”
The VIP Players Tailgate premium open bar will be available to all guests from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT, on February 5, at Mike Calvert Toyota in Houston. Located just 1.5 blocks from Super Bowl LI host NRG Stadium, the 2017 Players Tailgate is the place to be on Super Sunday.
With over 30 NFL players and some of the biggest celebrities, Bullseye’s 2017 Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LI will be the biggest and best pre-game tailgate in Houston. One of America’s favorite chefs, Guy Fieri, will be returning to create the VIP menu, joined by chefs Eddie Jackson, Aaron May, Douglas Rodriguez, Reno Henriques, Rodolfo Valdes and Pete Blohme. Entertainment at the 2017 Players Tailgate at Super Bowl LI will be provided by 2017 Players Tailgate emcee and ESPN SportsCenter host Jaymee Sire, and world-renowned DJ for some of the most iconic brands such as the Miami Heat, Target and more, DJ Irie.
Want to check the Super Bowl off your bucket list?Travel packages to Super Bowl LI in Houston are available now! Including some of the most luxurious hotels in Houston, a ticket to the 2017 Players Tailgate featuring America’s favorite chef, Guy Fieri, and a ticket to the big game!
It’s been narrowed down to four teams, and on Sunday, two will punch their ticket to Super Bowl LI in Houston. It’s the AFC and NFC Championship Games, featured in this week’s NFL Playoff preview.
NFC Championship Game: Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons (3:05 p.m. ET, FOX)
The red-hot Green Bay Packers travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons in what will be a game charged with emotion for the Atlanta faithful.
Not only is it Atlanta’s first NFC Championship berth in years, this will also be the final Falcons game played inside the historic Georgia Dome, which has been home to not only the Falcons, but numerous events, championships and concerts over the years. Next year, the Falcons will christen the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium, located directly beside the Georgia Dome.
For the Packers, it was all about “running the table” to make the playoffs. Now, a team that has beaten both the surging New York Giants and 2016 darling Dallas Cowboys, the Packers looked primed to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since Super Bowl XLV in 2011.
AFC Championship Game: Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots (6:40 p.m. ET, CBS)
Old rivals square off in Sunday’s AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterbacks Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger, friends off the field and two of the greatest in the league, will go head-to-head once again for the AFC title at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
The Patriots are looking to head to their 7th Super Bowl in the Brady-Belichick era, winners of four of their previous six appearances. The Steelers look to make their 4th Super Bowl appearance since 2008, beginning with a victory against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL in Detroit.
Most NFL conference championship game appearances since 2001 (including Sunday) 1. Patriots 11 2. Steelers 6 pic.twitter.com/gjGEgGdOQt
Want to check the Super Bowl off your bucket list?Travel packages to Super Bowl LI in Houston are available now! Including some of the most luxurious hotels in Houston, a ticket to the 2017 Players Tailgate featuring America’s favorite chef, Guy Fieri, and a ticket to the big game!
As we approach championship weekend in the NFL playoffs, the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to clinch their respective conferences and head for Super Bowl LI in Houston. In our countdown to the Super Bowl, we go back in time to Super Bowl XLV between the Packers and Steelers in 2011.
Played in front of 91,060 fans on February 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texans, Super Bowl XLV between the Packers and Steelers was one of the most exciting Super Bowls in recent memory. Head coach Mike McCarthy and the Green Bay Packers would take home the Lombardi trophy, by a final score of 31-25.
Super Bowl XLV MVP honors were awarded to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, after completing 25 of his 39 pass attempts for 304 yards and three touchdowns. The Packers came out of the gates firing in the first half, building a lead that would prove to be insurmountable to the Steelers, eventually winning Green Bay the game.
Popular artist Christina Aguilera sang the national anthem before Super Bowl XLV, with the halftime show returning to it’s hip-hop roots with the Black Eyed Peas, Usher and Slash. FOX Network broadcasted Super Bowl XLV, with announcers Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver and Chris Myers handling broadcasting duties. The cost of a 30-second commercial in Super Bowl XLV rose to $3 million.
Want to check the Super Bowl off your bucket list?Travel packages to Super Bowl LI in Houston are available now! Including some of the most luxurious hotels in Houston, a ticket to the 2017 Players Tailgate featuring America’s favorite chef, Guy Fieri, and an all-star culinary team of chefs, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jaymee Sire, and a ticket to the big game!
