Matt Ryan fumbled in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI in a play that very nearly fell under the tuck rule. It was called a fumble and was not challenged for a review.
Patriots force a crucial Matt Ryan fumble, the Falcons’ first turnover this postseason
Atlanta hadn’t allowed a single takeaway until this Ryan fumble.
It does look like Ryan’s arm wasn’t coming forward to fall under the tuck rule, however. Dont’a Hightower came around the edge and it looked like Ryan clearly fumbled off his hit before the pass attempt really began, which is what would have been required for the tuck rule to come into play.
Atlanta hadn’t turned the ball over this entire postseason before Ryan fumbled the ball on that play. It gave New England fantastic field position down 28-12 with under 10 minutes left in the fourth. Tom Brady hit Danny Amendola for a touchdown to complete that drive, and then completed a two-point conversation to make it a one-score game.
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