Atlanta

Falcons return to Atlanta after devastating Super Bowl loss

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons and Matt Bosher #5 react after losing to the New England Patriots 34-28 during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons returned home Monday afternoon after a heartbreaking, last-minute loss in Houston Sunday night.

The Falcons, who led for most of the game, lost in overtime to the New England Patriots.

It was the most historic collapse in Super Bowl history. The Falcons blew a 25-point lead in the second half and ended up losing 34-28.

Coach Dan Quinn said after the game that the team "ran out of gas."

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“I don’t know what the time of possession was, I didn’t look at that. But I can you how hard these guys battled for it. We knew it was going to come down to the end for sure, and just at the end for them to have the scores back-to-back, this was the difference for sure,” Quinn said.

Quarterback Matt Ryan, who won the league MVP on Saturday night, told reporters "it's hard to find words tonight."

“There’s nothing you can really say. That’s a tough loss. Obviously very disappointed, very close to getting done what we wanted to get done,” Ryan said. “(We) just made some mistakes in situations that put us behind the chains and we were not able to overcome that. So, that part was disappointing.”

Fans gathered, even in the rain, to welcome the Falcons home Monday. The team traveled from the airport to their facility in Flowery Branch.

WELCOME HOME: The Atlanta Falcons arrive in Atlanta after a he...

WELCOME HOME: The Atlanta Falcons arrive in Atlanta after a heartbreaking Super Bowl loss. http://2wsb.tv/RiseUpAtlanta

Posted by WSB-TV on Monday, February 6, 2017

On Monday, Falcons players thanked the fans and the city for their support.