Like a peek behind the curtain as a puppeteer masterfully works his strings, the access granted through Cinedigm and NFL Films' production of the Patriots 2016-17 season story provides an exquisite taste of execution at its finest.
At every level – artistic, dramatic and poetic – the DVD delivers with the same efficiency and reliability the Super Bowl champs displayed throughout their run to a title.
Stories are expertly woven into the fabric of the 19-game season, with achievements and emotions complimented by brilliant camera work and a soundtrack only NFL Films can provide.
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WATCH PREVIEW ONE - A Turnover D
WATCH PREVIEW TWO - New England Forces Overtime
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The journey begins in Denver, Tom Brady and the Patriots being manhandled by the Broncos in the 2015-16 AFC Championship Game. Orange, white and blue confetti floats in the air as New England players trudge to the locker room, defeated one game short of an appearance in Super Bowl 50.
While you wouldn’t have known it at the time, the slow motion image of Sebastian Vollmer walking off the field in Denver would be his last in uniform with the Pats.
Deflategate is given a cursory mention, no more than 30 seconds, to set the stage for a season that began with Brady sidelined by suspension.
Before the parade of weekly highlights begins, we flash back to Malcolm Butler’s last-second Super Bowl interception against the Seahawks. “The run to Super Bowl LI starts where Super Bowl XLIX ended.”
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WEEK 1
Back in Glendale again, the Patriots 2016 season begins on September 11, fifteen years after thousands of Americans lost their lives at the hands of terrorists. With this patriotic and somber backdrop, Jimmy Garoppolo seizes the moment, leading New England to an opening night win as Chandler Catanzaro’s potential game-winning kick goes wide left.
In the victorious locker room, we see Garoppolo with the game ball, celebrating his first career win as a starter. Bill Belichick congratulates Garoppolo, telling him, “it’s a tough place to play.”
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WEEK 2
The play-by-play of Bob Socci and Scott Zolak punctuates the action on the screen as the first quarter of the season progresses. As Garoppolo throws three touchdown passes against Miami, Zolak says, “Oh boy, we’ve got a quarterback here.”
That excitement is quelled when Garoppolo is injured in the second quarter, and the focus doesn't turn to his replacement until pregame warmups before Week Three's matchup with Houston.
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WEEK 3
Belichick, mic’d up for the Texans game, greets Vince Wilfork on the field with a hug, then jokes with former colleague Romeo Crennel about who will start at quarterback.
“You trying to figure out who’s gonna play?” asks Belichick. “So are we.”
As Brissett warms up, Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels compare notes, pointing out Brissett has been wild on a few throws, but he should be good to go once the game starts.
The first rookie to start at QB for the Pats since 1993, Brissett keeps the Texans off-balance with misdirection.
The first insight into Belichick’s strategy is revealed with the Patriots ahead 3-0 and ready to kick off to Houston. Belichick asks special teams coordinator Joe Judge what he wants to do, and when Judge suggests kicking it out of the end zone, Belichick snaps back, “No. Make ‘em run it. Make ‘em run it.”
A fumble on the kick return is initially ruled incorrectly, and Belichick immediately calls through his headset for Ernie Adams to look at it. As Belichick challenges the ruling, he tells referee Walt Coleman it’s a clear recovery. The call is reversed and the Patriots cash in.
After Jacoby Brissett’s 27-yard touchdown run, the quarterback presents the ball to Belichick, who ultimately insists Brissett keeps it since it’s his first career touchdown.
Belichick foreshadows a late touchdown run by urging LeGarrette Blount to “follow that double-team block.” Seconds later, Blount is seen striding full speed down the left sideline, wrapping up a 27-0 win with a 41-yard burst to the end zone.
The victory ties Belichick with Curly Lambeau for fourth on the NFL’s all-time list.
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WEEK 4
Week Four's matchup with Buffalo is summarized as a "Sea of Errors," a 16-0 loss that's the first shutout of the Patriots in Gillette Stadium history. The page is quickly turned to Tom Brady's return to action against the Browns.
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WEEK 5
A change in music and tempo reflects the lift Brady gives his teammates, coaches and fans upon his return. His return is dubbed “razor sharp” by narrator Scott Graham, and as New England chugs along to a 33-13 win, Brady’s efforts are magnified. It’s his eighth-career 400-yard passing game. Martellus Bennett catches three of Brady’s four TD passes.
Brady’s postgame comments are featured: “A good win today. It’s one game. 4-1 is a good place to be for us, but we have a long way to go.”
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WEEK 6
Before the Patriots and Bengals square off in Week Six, we hear Brady on the field with Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft.
“Let’s go whoop some ass,” says Brady. “I love you.”
The 35-17 win features more brilliance from Brady, who leans on tight end Rob Gronkowski throughout the game. Gronk sets a career-high with 162 receiving yards to go with a four-yard touchdown reception. Blount comments on the sideline, “The only place you can put it, he put it.”
Brady says from the bench, “It was a better catch.”
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WEEK 7
The Week Seven date with Pittsburgh is diminished by the absence of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, but the moment he and Brady share on the field during pregame warmups is captured. Roethlisberger laments missing the game and asks Brady for one of his jerseys.
Steelers backup Landry Jones is overwhelmed by the Patriots defense, and the New England d-line gets direct instruction from Belichick on the bench.
“Patience and good hand placement,” is urged and the players follow suit, allowing just 16 points.
Gronkowski’s blocking is highlighted, with him being coached to “get underneath those guys, particularly (James) Harrison.”
Blount’s 127-yard rushing effort is made possible by the blocking up front, and Gronkowski shows his versatility and value by catching a 36-yard touchdown pass from Brady in the third quarter that ties the franchise record for most all-time.
Back on the sideline, Gronkowski finds Brady and says, “I gave him that little move. That ball was already gone. I was like, ‘Perfect!’”
As darkness falls and the final moments tick away, Gronk says, “Tough team. Tough atmosphere. Good team, too.”
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WEEK 8
A trip to Buffalo is next and the Patriots avenge their only loss to date, with Gronkowski once again featured. His five catches for 109 yards are highlighted by the record-breaker, his 69th career touchdown, brilliantly called by Socci.
“Gronk to the ten, Gronk to the record book,” says Socci.
The 41-25 win is Brady's 26th against Buffalo, which ties him in the NFL record book for most wins against a single franchise.
Gronkowski receives the game ball in the locker room and tells his teammates, “You guys push me a lot. I appreciate it.”
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WEEK 10
A rematch of Super Bowl XLIX is next, with the Seahawks visiting Gillette Stadium on Sunday Night Football. Seven lead-changes are spotlighted and then Russell Wilson’s touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin sets the stage for the Patriots final drive of the game.
A fantastic catch by Gronkowski moves the ball to the one-yard line and puts the Pats in position to win in the final seconds. It would be Gronk’s final reception of the year.
We see Brady, Belichick and McDaniels huddled on the sideline, strategizing about what to do on 3rd and Goal from the one.
“Should we sneak?” asks McDaniels looking for approval from Belichick. All three agree, yes.
Brady’s fumble on third down is shown in slow motion and the fourth down fade route to Gronkowski is shown from multiple angles, with reaction from the New England sideline interspersed. No penalty is called and the Seahawks win 31-24.
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WEEK 11
Rain pours on Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara as Brady plays against his hometown team for the first time in the Bay Area. Graham likens Brady's surgical effort to the many we saw over the years from Joe Montana. Raindrops slowly cascading past the lens make Brady's four touchdown passes seem even more dramatic – the 21st time he throws four touchdown passes without throwing an interception in his illustrious career.
A look inside the Patriots locker room after this win over the 49ers would have been a welcome addition to the DVD, but we don’t get that.
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WEEK 12
The Jets prove to be a worthy opponent in Week 12, leading the Patriots in the fourth quarter and setting the stage for a Brady-led comeback.
Considering how critical Gronkowski had been to the success of the team thus far, a reference to his departure from the game with a back injury should have been included. Instead, we’re left to fill in the gaps as if we know what happened (which most of us do.)
Brady weaves Malcolm Mitchell into the attack in the second half against New York, and you can’t help but think as you watch the DVD it will be the first of many chapters to come that will feature the rookie wide receiver.
Zolak’s call of the game-winning touchdown is priceless.
“The rookie beating the $40 million corner, Darrelle Revis,” says Zolak.
Brady's 200th career win ends with a congratulatory hug on the field from Revis and we hear from Brady's news conference after the game.
“It means I’ve been a part of a lot of really great teams,” says Brady. “Hopefully we keep winning. It never gets old.”
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WEEK 13
Back in Foxboro with a 9-2 record, the Patriots welcome home the 2001 champions, who take the field minus the man who led them to a win in Super Bowl XXXVI – because he’s still playing.
In this game against the Rams, Blount’s 43-yard touchdown run sets the tone for an easy win.
“Thirteen weeks in and there’s still so much gas left in LeGarrette Blount’s tank,” says Zolak.
Brady is businesslike, throwing for 269 yards and a touchdown to Chris Hogan. The Patriots reach 10 wins for the 14th straight season as Brady breaks Peyton Manning's record with his 201st career victory.
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WEEK 14
Once again, the Patriots take the field under the lights, welcoming Baltimore to Gillette Stadium for Monday Night Football. A game that’s seemingly in the bag, with New England on top 23-3 suddenly is competitive after the Ravens capitalize on a pair of Patriots special teams miscues.
Any doubt is erased when Brady connects with Hogan for a 79-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“I like those kinds of drives,” says Zolak when New England scores on the first play from scrimmage after Baltimore drew within three.
The 30-23 win over the Ravens is the Patriots 100th win at Gillette Stadium, and it's onto Denver.
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WEEK 15
Remember, this is where the story began and this is where the demons reside. We’re reminded of three consecutive losses in Denver. We’re shown flashbacks to the 2016 AFC Championship Game. And then, we hear from Logan Ryan, speaking during the week leading up to the matchup with the Broncos.
“We want to make the quarterback look like a young quarterback,” says Ryan.
As if on cue, Ryan’s interception and subsequent return to midfield is playing on the screen, a momentum-shifter that turned the game in the Patriots favor.
On the sideline, offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia tells his troops, "Playing big when it counts the most. Playing good when it counts the most. That's what's important here. That's how you f___ing win games like this – or lose games like this 'cause you don't."
From there, the New England running game takes over, with Blount scoring his 15th rushing TD of the year to break a 3-3 tie.
Jordan Norwood’s muffed punt and Devin McCourty’s crushing hit of Demaryius Thomas are highlighted, with Belichick screaming, “That’s a way to bring it down.”
In the locker room, Belichick congratulates his players as they don “AFC East Champion” gear, pointing out how people kept saying the Patriots couldn’t win in Denver.
"Not this team," says Belichick. "Not this team."
Special Teams captain Matthew Slater holds up an "AFC East Champion" tee-shirt, saying you can't buy one of those, you have to earn it, then gathers his teammates. "Can you taste it? The sweet nectar of a victory at Mile High."
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WEEK 16
Christmas Eve brings with it a downpour in more ways than one. As the skies open above Foxboro, the Patriots offense unleashes a pounding on the Jets. The brotherhood between players becomes evident in this game.
After Bennett scores a touchdown, Blount places a jacket in cape-like fashion over Bennett’s shoulders like he’s the legendary singer, James Brown.
“Get my dog right,” says Blount.
After Matt Lengel catches his first career touchdown pass, Blount says to him, “Your first time? Your first time from Tom Brady? You gotta keep that. You gotta keep the ball.”
Two interceptions from Malcolm Butler are the defensive highlight as the Jets win 41-3, and as Blount scores in the second half, fullback James Develin says to him, “I’ll let you know I’ll block for you for my whole life, man.”
Blount leaves the field with warm wishes for the Patriots “Militia Men,” sweeping down the line saying “Merry Christmas” to each of them on his way to the locker room.
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WEEK 17
The New Year’s matchup with Miami once again spotlights the brilliance of Brady, who picks apart the Dolphins defense en route to a 35-14 win.
“He’s calling the right protection every f__ing time,” says Dolphins defensive line coach Jim Washburn.
Michael Floyd’s crushing block of Dolphins cornerback Tony Lippett is given theatrical treatment, and in the locker room, the focus immediately shifts to the playoffs after the Patriots finish the regular season 14-2.
“We’re all back to 0-0,” says Belichick. “Get ready to play our best football next Saturday night.”
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AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF
The Texans arrive at Gillette Stadium for the divisional playoffs and Brady, who missed the regular season meeting between the two teams, finds Kraft on the field before the game.
“Let’s go rock this thing,” says Brady to Kraft. “Love you, man. Let’s go get ‘em.”
One of the best shots of the entire DVD is seen in the first half. The close-up on Dion Lewis as he returns a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown is photography at its best.
Julian Edelman, who was mic’d up for all three postseason games, jokes with Lewis on the bench, “Hey D-Lew, get some oxygen! Get some oxygen, Bubs.”
Edelman provides some classic quotes in this game, channeling the movie Top Gun while saying, "Boys, I got the need. The need for speed."
He also engages in a humorous quip with an official after being told to watch his contact with the Texans’ defensive backs.
"I'm sorry, I get so defensive," said Edelman. "My therapist yells at me all the time about that."
We get a unique field-level look of Logan Ryan's second-half interception of Brock Osweiler as the Patriots advance to their sixth straight AFC Championship Game with a 34-16 win.
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AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
A misty and damp Gillette Stadium awaits the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC Championship Game and the drama is amped up in NFL Films’ storytelling. Extreme close-ups and super slo-mos tell the tale as Brady takes advantage of fantastic protection to shred the Steelers defense.
“Zone coverage in the red zone?” asks Zolak on the radio broadcast. “All day baby!”
The best musical moment of the DVD comes during the flea-flicker touchdown pass from Brady to Hogan. The score is perfectly edited to match the flight of the ball from Brady’s fingertips to Hogan’s arms. After the music erupts with Hogan’s celebration in the end zone, Zolak punctuates the score by saying, “Pittsburgh – born suckers for the flea-flicker.”
Vincent Valentine’s tackle during a second quarter goal-line stand and LeGarrette Blount’s driving run with defenders on his back are spotlighted.
“They know we’re running it. We know we’re running it. Who’s gonna get it?” asks Edelman.
Blount barrels home from the one yard-line for six.
“Let’s get the ball,” says Belichick on the sideline.
Kyle Van Noy forces a fumble, recovered by Rob Ninkovich.
We see Edelman and Malcolm Mitchell sitting side-by-side on the bench.
Edelman says, “My dad used to always tell me when I was a young boy, ‘When you got ‘em down, you break their f___ing neck.’”
Mitchell extends his hand for a high five.
Edelman continues, “That’s what he used to tell me. I was 12. I was like, ‘Dad, that’s kind of… that’s a lot.’”
Brady connects with Edelman for a 10-yard touchdown pass and the Patriots head to Houston for Super Bowl LI, 36-17 winners over Pittsburgh.
If you think NFL Films would miss Martellus Bennett dancing with the Patriots cheerleaders, you’re crazy. It’s there – from many different angles.
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SUPER BOWL LI
The cinematography from Super Bowl LI is straight out of Hollywood, the best videographers in the world capturing the biggest spectacle in football.
An incredible shot of Matt Ryan throwing a warm-up pass on the field as the image of Tom Brady throws a warm-up pass on the video screen above the field behind behind Ryan. Majestic shots of Belichick and Brady as Graham weaves in the storyline of Brady's mom fighting sickness to be in the stands that day. Epic shots of the flyover from the Air Force Thunderbirds.
And then, the Falcons start manhandling the Patriots.
An amazing angle of Devonta Freeman’s touchdown run to make it 7-0. Brady screaming to his teammates to “Make ‘em pay,” after Atlanta goes up 14-0.
The interception return by Robert Alford seems to be the knockout punch, with Blount on the sideline lamenting his role in this avalanche of disaster.
“That fumble opened the floodgates,” says Blount.
Seconds later, the seed for a comeback is planted, as Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel says, “That’s Tom Brady, though.”
"Keep balling, James," says Blount to James White. "We gonna come back and get it. Ain't no other option."
As the Patriots return for the second half, trailing 21-3, McDaniels gathers his running backs and says, "Do you believe we're gonna win? I do, too. Let's just play our best half. I don't want anybody to do anything you can't do. Don't try to make it all up in one play. Just play each play by itself, ok?"
“It’s gonna be a hell of a story,” Edelman says to Brady.
“Hell yeah,” replies Brady.
Still, the Patriots seem out of sync, allowing another touchdown and not connecting on offense.
With the Falcons ahead 28-3, Brady screams, "Let's go now. Gotta lock in. Laser focus. Gotta go make 'em. Gotta play harder, Gotta play tougher. Harder. Tougher. Everything. Gotta give 'em everything we got."
And with that, Danny Amendola makes a catch to convert a 4th and 3 with six minutes to play in the third quarter and the Patriots down 25 points.
As James White scores, you can sense belief in Zolak's radio call. "There's one."
Dont'a Hightower gathers his defensive teammates and says, "No more mistakes. No more, 'My Bads.' None of that no more. Everything's gotta be perfect. Everything's gotta be perfect."
Down 28-9, the Patriots weren’t called for another penalty for the rest of the game.
Edelman seemingly wills his teammates to achieve.
“Need a turnover,” says Edelman.
Hightower sacks Ryan, forcing a fumble recovered by Alan Branch.
"Gotta believe. Gotta believe," says Edelman. "Gotta believe, boys."
Danny Amendola scores to make it 28-18. Matt Ryan nervously runs his fingers through his hair. White scores a two-point conversion to draw New England within eight.
Scarnecchia gathers the offensive line on the bench.
“We’re still in go-for-two mode if we score again… when we score again,” he says.
“The last five minutes of the game is where the Super Bowl is made,” says Hightower.
And that’s when the Falcons drive into field goal range. Then Trey Flowers sacks Ryan.
"Out of field goal range," shouts Blount. "We got Tom Brady. We get into OT, it's over with."
The game-tying drive is incredibly documented, Ryan pacing the sideline as Brady drives the Patriots 91 yards in ten plays. Edelman immediately knows he secured the ball on the now infamous circus catch.
“I caught it! I caught it!” he squeals as he’s still on the ground. Replay confirms.
With the Patriots on the one-yard line, Ryan is distraught on the Falcons bench, almost sickened.
When White scores to make it 28-26 and Amendola converts the two-point conversion to tie the game, Blount says, “He’s the best ever, like hands-down there is no competition. It’s not even close.”
After the Patriots win the overtime coin toss, Edelman plays the most emotional card in the deck.
“Let’s go win this thing,” he says to Brady. “For your mom. For your mom, bro.”
Graham, the narrator, says, “The greatest quarterback the game has ever known needed one more. One more drive. One more touchdown, for one more place in the record books.”
The receiving corps of Edelman, Amendola and Hogan huddle up.
"Let's go boys," says Edelman. "Love you boys."
Brady leads New England down the field yet again, with the Falcons bench exasperated by what's transpiring in front of them.
“What a pass,” says a Falcon player from the sideline.
The music builds as tension mounts and the game-winning run by White is punctuated by Socci’s radio call.
“Driving forward, Diving to the goal line. A touchdown and a title for the Patriots,” says Socci.
Of all the postgame moments captured by the NFL Films cameras, few are as powerful as Edelman hugging his father as his dad says, "Just hold on to Daddy."
"You gotta believe," says Edelman in reply.
Brady kisses his mother, Galynn, in slow motion as the confetti falls.
“They counted us out twenty times,” says Belichick.
“We are all Patriots. And tonight, for the fifth time, the Patriots are World Champions,” says Kraft.
“We’re bringing this sucker home,” screams Brady.
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The best comeback in Super Bowl history complete, the credits run over images from the championship parade through the snowflakes and raindrops of Boston. As you watch, you can’t help but feel a moment like this will likely never be duplicated. Snow falls on Tom Brady, smiling widely as he squeezes the Vince Lombardi Trophy, celebrating his fifth Super Bowl championship with fans lining the streets.
Super Bowl LI Champions: New England Patriots is available on Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack ($34.93 SRP), DVD ($24.99 SRP) and Digital ($12.99 HD). Pre order is now available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/super-bowl-li-houston/id1188473872
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