Super Bowl LI Preview: New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Crown Jewel of the Sports World

Here we are again, folks — Super Bowl Weekend. Super Bowl LI happens in just a few days, and with all the world watching, either the Falcons or the Patriots will ascend to football royalty.

There’s a lot to like about this year’s match-up. On one side, you have Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and the rest of the Patriots chasing immortal status. On the other sideline, you have an Atlanta Falcons looking to taste Super Bowl glory for the first time.

Throw in the fact that the game pits the Number One offense of the Falcons against the Patriots top-ranked defense, and the stage seems set for an epic showdown. Here’s what to look for in Houston come February 5th.

To the Victor Go The Spoils, And Then Some

There’s more than the Lombardi Trophy at stake in Super Bowl LI. This is Matt Ryan’s best chance to achieve the elite status that has eluded him for so long, but a loss here would put another huge hurt on his future legacy. The pressure is on him and Julio Jones to match Brady touchdown for touchdowns.

As a franchise, the Patriots are on the verge of an almost mythical status. A win in Houston would be one for the thumb for Belichick and Brady and would grant them immortality throughout the sports universe. A fifth Super Bowl victory would also be the ultimate revenge for the Patriots after the accusations of DeflateGate.

The Match Up

One thing is virtually certain: the Falcons and the Patriots are going to score a lot of points this Sunday. Matt Ryan has had a monster year and will come in hungry to cement his elite status. He has the best receiver in the game in Julio Jones, along with a two-headed beast in the backfield. If anyone can hang the necessary 35 points on the Pats, it’s the Falcons.

But the tale of Super Bowl LI will be told by the Falcon’s young defense. They have speed and quickness, but in Tom Brady, they face the greatest of all time at the height of his powers. Absent a couple of unlikely turnovers, the Patriots will most likely run roughshod over the Falcons’ defenders.

Experts are picking a close game, but the Falcons’ defense will have to play out of its mind to have a chance to bother Brady. Maybe Matt Ryan can pull off an Eli Manning style upset, but look for the Patriots to win 38-27 in an offensive masterpiece.