Super Bowl 51: New England Patriots (14-2) vs Atlanta Falcons (11-5)

JaMarcusHustle

Date: Sunday, 5th February, 2017
Kick-Off: 11:30pm
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston (TX)

TV Coverage (US): Fox
TV Coverage (UK): Sky Sports, BBC
Commentators: Joe Buck & Troy Aikman

Head Official: Carl Cheffers

Opening Line: New England Patriots -3
Opening Over/Under: 57.5

Half-Time Show: Lady Gaga

Random Notes:

• As the designated home team, Atlanta will have their choice of jersey. Expect to see them choose their red home strip, with the Patriots in their white road jerseys,
• As will be well advertised, this is Tom Brady's 7th trip to the Super Bowl, with Matt Ryan making his first appearance in the big game.
• The Patriots and Falcons have never played in the playoffs before. The Patriots currently hold a 7-6 lead in the 13 regular season games they have played.
• They last played in 2013, when New England came out on top 30-23.
• Bill Belichick and Dan Quinn will meet for the first time on opposing sidelines as head coaches or defensive co-ordinators.
• However, Belichick has faced off against Kyle Shanahan as offensive co-ordinator before. Rather ominously, Shanahan mustered 463 passing yards out of Rex Grossman that day as the Washington Redskins play caller.
• Like last year, if you want your company to have a 30 second commercial during the Super Bowl, you can expect to shell out over $5,000,000 for the privilege.

Unit vs Unit Preview (courtesy of NESN.com)

PATRIOTS’ PASSING ATTACK VS. FALCONS’ PASS DEFENSE

Patriots passing: 4th, 269.2 yards per game, 109.5 rating, 4.18 sack percentage
Falcons’ pass defense: 28th, 266.7 yards per game, 92.5 rating against, 4.93 sack percentage

The Falcons have relied heavily on their offense to keep them in games all season. Their pass defense certainly was not a strength despite having some young potential future stars in linebacker Vic Beasley, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and cornerback Jalen Collins. Losing cornerback Desmond Trufant midway through the season certainly didn’t help matters.

The Patriots, meanwhile, have one of the NFL’s best passing attacks with quarterback Tom Brady throwing to wide receivers Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell, Danny Amendola and Michael Floyd, tight end Martellus Bennett, and running backs James White and Dion Lewis. New England lost tight end Rob Gronkowski midway through the season but kept chugging along and had one of its strongest performances of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.

PATRIOTS’ RUSHING GAME VS. FALCONS’ RUN DEFENSE

Patriots rushing: 7th, 117 yards per game, 3.9 yards per carry
Falcons’ run defense: 17th, 104.5 yards per game, 4.5 yards per carry

Despite having a top passing attack, the Patriots relied heavily upon LeGarrette Blount to score on the ground this season. He piled up 18 touchdowns in the regular season and added another in the playoffs. He was kept fresh at the tail end of the season when Lewis came back from a knee injury.

The Falcons allowed the sixth-most yards per carry in the NFL this regular season. Most of their front-seven defenders are better against the pass than they are against the run.

PATRIOTS’ PASS DEFENSE VS. FALCONS’ PASSING ATTACK

Patriots’ pass defense: 12th, 237.9 yards per game, 84.4 rating against, 5.4 sack percentage
Falcons passing: 3rd, 295.3 yards per game, 116.8 rating, 6.5 sack percentage

The Patriots’ pass defense improved as the season progressed, but this game likely will be a shootout with the way Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has played this season.

Atlanta led the NFL in passer rating and in passing plays of 40 yards or more. Preventing big plays will be key for the Patriots, who let up the second-least passing plays of 40 yards or more during the regular season. Wide receiver Julio Jones is one of the NFL’s best, and half of the Patriots’ secondary knows Falcons wideout Mohamed Sanu well from their days at Rutgers.

PATRIOTS’ RUN DEFENSE VS. FALCONS RUSHING GAME

Patriots’ run defense: 3rd, 88.6 yards per game, 3.9 yards per carry
Falcons rushing: 5th, 120.5 yards per game, 4.6 yards per carry

The Falcons’ two-headed rushing attack is versatile and tough to stop. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman combined for 345 carries for 1,599 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground and another 883 yards and five touchdowns on 105 catches through the air.

The Patriots’ run defense has been consistent throughout the season, however, with Alan Branch and Malcom Brown up front, Dont’a Hightower at linebacker and Rob Ninkovich, Trey Flowers, Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard on the edge.

Something will have to give in this matchup, and right now it’s too close to call.

Football Outsiders DVOA (Efficieny) Rankings

Patriots Overall Rank: 1
Falcons Overall Rank: 3

Patriots Offensive Rank: 2
Falcons Offensive Rank: 1

Patriots Defensive Rank: 16
Falcons DefensiveRank: 27


Another point to note is that, per Fox, we will be introduced to revolutionary new camera angle for instant replays during this year's Super Bowl thanks to new, cutting-edge technology:

On January 12, 2017, Fox announced that it planned to introduce a new feature known as Be the Player, which will allow the presentation of instant replays from the first-person perspective of a player. The system will utilize technology co-developed by Intel, which uses an array of 38 cameras installed around the stadium to reconstruct a player perspective without requiring them to be equipped with cameras themselves.

eagle eye

Some people are so childish trying to beat each other to setting up threads.


No need for this thread for at least a couple of days.

JaMarcusHustle

Atlanta Falcons

eagle eye wrote: »

Some people are so childish trying to beat each other to setting up threads.


No need for this thread for at least a couple of days.

Tell you what, go write us another poem and I'll edit the OP and include it. Such a momentous occasion deserves one.

Richard Hillman

Tom Brady has more defined and succulent lips. Therefore he shall win.

Son Of A Vidic

We always have a poll, so can we have a poll please.

Columbia

Could have left the spoilers out of the thread title. I was going to watch the AFC game on Gamepass later, no need now!

Realt Dearg Sec

There's a lot to digest for a neutral, but all other concerns aside, I can't stomach Donald Trump hosting Brady and Belichick at the White House. That's a love-in I could do without.

mansize

Atlanta Falcons

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

Tell you what, go write us another poem and I'll edit the OP and include it. Such a momentous occasion deserves one.

ooooh gurl! the shade of it all!!!! :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTtSu2Fld5U

JaMarcusHustle

Atlanta Falcons

Realt Dearg Sec wrote: »

There's a lot to digest for a neutral, but all other concerns aside, I can't stomach Donald Trump hosting Brady and Belichick at the White House. That's a love-in I could do without.

I don't know, the Patriots making the Super Bow is such a fairytale. It's been 2 whole years since Brady and Belichick have been to the Super Bowl. After last season's disaster of only reaching the AFC Championship, this has the makings of a real underdog story. I'm expecting to see neutrals getting behind this unlikely triumph and rallying for a brave Patriots victory.

TOss Sweep

eagle eye wrote: »

Some people are so childish trying to beat each other to setting up threads.


No need for this thread for at least a couple of days.

I am lost is it wrong for him to start the thread now? Is there a rule or something? Who the fook cares who sets the thread up and why does it bother you so much. I bet if he didn't start the thread and someone else did it wouldn't have bothered you so much.

Look dude get over it your team and JMH team just made another Super Bowl so be happy and enjoy it.

GT_TDI_150

Atlanta Falcons

If brady wins a 5th SB does that definetivly close the GOAT discussions?

If so, I'm all for it.

Just a pity the Packers O couldnt catch a cold and the D werent at the races.

Falcon v Patriots should ve a good match up tho.

Knex*

Atlanta Falcons

Excluding 2008 when Brady was injured all year, he has made the Super Bowl 47% of the time he's played. That's ludicrous.

Having a coaching staff, a QB, and a bunch of players who have been here before, up against the Falcons to whom, Dan Quinn aside, this is all very new for, could have a big bearing on the game.

I think the Falcons offense is better. Its one of the best executed offenses I've seen in ages, it really is that impressive. Everything is clicking. However, you'd have to fancy BB and the Patriots to figure out a way of slowing it down, more so than you would the Falcons defense slowing down Brady.

For that reason, Brady with win number 5 is my take right now.

bruschi

Atlanta Falcons

Knex. wrote: »

Excluding 2008 when Brady was injured all year, he has made the Super Bowl 47% of the time he's played. That's ludicrous.

Having a coaching staff, a QB, and a bunch of players who have been here before, up against the Falcons to whom, Dan Quinn aside, this is all very new for, could have a big bearing on the game.

I think the Falcons offense is better. Its one of the best executed offenses I've seen in ages, it really is that impressive. Everything is clicking. However, you'd have to fancy BB and the Patriots to figure out a way of slowing it down, more so than you would the Falcons defense slowing down Brady.

For that reason, Brady with win number 5 is my take right now.

stat quoted on Around The NFL last night, Brady will have played in 14% of every Superbowl thats ever been.

adrian522

Poll added.

helimachoptor

Atlanta Falcons

Hopefully will be a shootout, expect the Pats to do a better job stifling the Falcons attack than the Packers.

Pats by 10

Any chance if Brady wins he retires?

adrian522

No chance he retires, if that was on the cards they wouldn't be trying their best to trade Jimmy Garoppolo. 2 more years at least I'd say. Brady is still playing at an elite level, making average receiver look great.

j8wk2feszrnpao

adrian522 wrote: »

No chance he retires, if that was on the cards they wouldn't be trying their best to trade Jimmy Garoppolo. 2 more years at least I'd say. Brady is still playing at an elite level, making average receiver look great.

Agreed, he's just too driven to retire. Brady still looks in great shape and as you say he still playing at an elite level.

I like Big Ben the player, but his head looked enormous on one of the shots of him on the sideline, squeezed into his helmet. Contract that to Brady's physique. Maybe Brady is just a psycho to complete (his dietary routine suggests his is), but the guy gives himself the best chance to win.

Vanolder

Atlanta Falcons

helimachoptor wrote: »

Hopefully will be a shootout, expect the Pats to do a better job stifling the Falcons attack than the Packers.

Pats by 10

Any chance if Brady wins he retires?

Hopefully not. He will go until he is not wanted i'd imagine and will want as many rings as possible.

ItsAnEasyGame

Is anyone heading over?

Adamcp898

Slightly surprised Patriots were priced at 3 point favourites to open, expected it to be -1 either way.

Bateman

The expectation is probably that casual punters will side with the tried and tested Patriots who have so much experience of the big game.

If I were a layer I would want to try to take Atlanta money early, because you could be swamped with Patriot money on the day as the bettors just see Brady & Belichick. So then if you go to NE -4 or -5 and you still can’t get any Falcon money what do you do except pray…

TheDoctor

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

I don't know, the Patriots making the Super Bow is such a fairytale. It's been 2 whole years since Brady and Belichick have been to the Super Bowl. After last season's disaster of only reaching the AFC Championship, this has the makings of a real underdog story. I'm expecting to see neutrals getting behind this unlikely triumph and rallying for a brave Patriots victory.

An amazing story!

Hazys

Atlanta Falcons

ItsAnEasyGame wrote: »

Is anyone heading over?

I had a look at flights from Boston last night, with one stop they are only $600 return but accommodation and tickets are another matter. Crappy 2* hotels on the outskirts are charging $200+ a night and game tickets are $3000.

I wouldn't mind going to be in the city for the game without a chance of a ticket but honestly Houston is a crappy city, just a large grey metropolis with no character and with everything being a ripoff superbowl weekend, its a hard sell not just the watch it in Boston.

They will probably add a bunch more flights from Boston in the coming days so there's still an outside chance i'll go.

EDIT: Well checking this morning just killed all chances, tickets are now $4000 and flights from Boston are $800 and i presume its only going to go up more.

eagle eye

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

Tell you what, go write us another poem and I'll edit the OP and include it. Such a momentous occasion deserves one.

If I feel like doing one I will but it doesn't need to be in the op.

TOss Sweep wrote: »

I am lost is it wrong for him to start the thread now? Is there a rule or something? Who the fook cares who sets the thread up and why does it bother you so much. I bet if he didn't start the thread and someone else did it wouldn't have bothered you so much.

Look dude get over it your team and JMH team just made another Super Bowl so be happy and enjoy it.

I don't know what the op was like when you first seen it but when I seen it there was just this stupid picture with half a face of both QBs in the Superbowl and nothing else.

That to me is just somebody rushing to be first to open a thread. If you are going to open a thread then you should do the job right imo. Since then he put up some decent stuff in the op so it's fine now.

TOss Sweep

eagle eye wrote: »

I don't know what the op was like when you first seen it but when I seen it there was just this stupid picture with half a face of both QBs in the Superbowl and nothing else.

That to me is just somebody rushing to be first to open a thread. If you are going to open a thread then you should do the job right imo. Since then he put up some decent stuff in the op so it's fine now.

So what. My point stands. Clear as day you dont like the fact it was JMH who started the thread. Build a bridge and move on. Can we once and for all get over this gripe with each other and enjoy the moment that the Pats are going to Bowl number 7. This feud among Pats fans is tiresome at this point.

TOss Sweep

Hazys wrote: »

I had a look at flights from Boston last night, with one stop they are only $600 return but accommodation and tickets are another matter. Crappy 2* hotels on the outskirts are charging $200+ a night and game tickets are $3000.

I wouldn't mind going to be in the city for the game without a chance of a ticket but honestly Houston is a crappy city, just a large grey metropolis with no character and with everything being a ripoff superbowl weekend, its a hard sell not just the watch it in Boston.

They will probably add a bunch more flights from Boston in the coming days so there's still an outside chance i'll go.

EDIT: Well checking this morning just killed all chances, tickets are now $4000 and flights from Boston are $800 and i presume its only going to go up more.

Cheaper to fly into Dallas. Dallas less than 2 hours from Houston. Was thinking of doing the same myself especially if the Packers and Pats made it as me and my Packers buddy always said if we both make it we go to the city its in for the game. Tickets are up to 5k plus now as well got to love it NFL completely cashing in.

So mad thing is the teams only get 36% of the tickets split between them and both teams run lotteries during the year for season ticket holders. That means 64% of the stadium is going to Sponsors and NFL official ticket agents who do "Packages"

Absolutely insane on how the cash in on it. Explains why the atmosphere at bowls is usually not great compared to other season games.

eagle eye

TOss Sweep wrote: »

So what. My point stands. Clear as day you dont like the fact it was JMH who started the thread. Build a bridge and move on. Can we once and for all get over this gripe with each other and enjoy the moment that the Pats are going to Bowl number 7. This feud among Pats fans is tiresome at this point.

I really don't care who started it. As I said it was a rubbish op when I seen it. Stop trying to make it sound like I have an agenda please, I don't.

Tom Mann Centuria

Atlanta Falcons

Would love to see the Falcons win but just think the Patriots will have too much for them. A good game would be nice though after yesterday's dull one sided affairs.

TOss Sweep

eagle eye wrote: »

I really don't care who started it. As I said it was a rubbish op when I seen it. Stop trying to make it sound like I have an agenda please, I don't.

Smacks like you do just saying.

Hazys

Atlanta Falcons

TOss Sweep wrote: »

Cheaper to fly into Dallas. Dallas less than 2 hours from Houston. Was thinking of doing the same myself especially if the Packers and Pats made it as me and my Packers buddy always said if we both make it we go to the city its in for the game. Tickets are up to 5k plus now as well got to love it NFL completely cashing in.

So mad thing is the teams only get 36% of the tickets split between them and both teams run lotteries during the year for season ticket holders. That means 64% of the stadium is going to Sponsors and NFL official ticket agents who do "Packages"

Absolutely insane on how the cash in on it. Explains why the atmosphere at bowls is usually not great compared to other season games.

The NFL makes their money but so does the teams. Of the 18% one team gets, only 1,000 end up going to the season ticket holders. The rest are given to the players, corporate sponsors, politicians, etc. So if you are a Pats Season ticket holder you have a 1 in 67 chance of getting a ticket. Like you said the NFL sells off the other 64% to corporate sponsors or the ticket agents, making $1,000s off each ticket. Cheapest package starting at $6,000

Its a disgrace to the average fan. Nearly every sporting event in the world, the average fan have a chance of going to.

TOss Sweep

Hazys wrote: »

The NFL makes their money but so does the teams. Of the 18% one team gets, only 1,000 end up going to the season ticket holders. The rest are given to the players, corporate sponsors, politicians, etc. So if you are a Pats Season ticket holder you have a 1 in 67 chance of getting a ticket. Like you said the NFL sells off the other 64% to corporate sponsors or the ticket agents, making $1,000s off each ticket. Cheapest package starting at [URL="http://www.ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com/nfl/super-bowl-splash.html[/URL]

Its a disgrace to the average fan. Nearly every sporting event in the world, the average fan have a chance of going to.

I didn't realize only 1000 of those go to season ticket holders of the 18%. that is even worse. One of the guys I sometimes get my tickets off was lucky enough to get offered two tickets for the bowl but turned it down because they want the money up front and they are not cheap face value. He was going to get them and sell them until he found out the cost for 2 tickets.

Recognition Scene

TOss Sweep wrote: »

Cheaper to fly into Dallas. Dallas less than 2 hours from Houston.

Just FYI so you don't get burned, it's double that, especially if there's any traffic. Driven it myself a few times.

TOss Sweep

Recognition Scene wrote: »

Just FYI so you don't get burned, it's double that, especially if there's any traffic. Driven it myself a few times.

Yup friends of mine in Dallas corrected me earlier when I asked them but too lazy to come back and edit but 4 hours is still better than paying the rip off flights into Houston

200-300 into Dallas Friday to Monday Super Bowl weekend

550 is the cheapest into Houston and that is with sh1t airlines

HigginsJ

Atlanta Falcons

Very hard to look past Brady and BB.

They are so adepth at being a completely different team depending on who they play. I don't see their D having as many brain farts as the Pack did against Atlanta and you can't game plan for that Pats offense as their top WR will probably be someone who is currently a 29 year old street free agent!!

I don't know why, but much like the MVP debate with Ryan, I find it very hard to take this Atlanta team as a serious outfit (ridiculous I know) but I wouldn't be surprised to see them as a 6 win team next year.

In the end I think this will be a fairly comfortable win for the Pats, I see it being something like 31-14 in the end.

bruschi

Atlanta Falcons

HigginsJ wrote: »

Very hard to look past Brady and BB.

They are so adepth at being a completely different team depending on who they play. I don't see their D having as many brain farts as the Pack did against Atlanta and you can't game plan for that Pats offense as their top WR will probably be someone who is currently a 29 year old street free agent!!

I don't know why, but much like the MVP debate with Ryan, I find it very hard to take this Atlanta team as a serious outfit (ridiculous I know) but I wouldn't be surprised to see them as a 6 win team next year.

In the end I think this will be a fairly comfortable win for the Pats, I see it being something like 31-14 in the end.

I'd love that! My heart is shot watching Patriots in Superbowls as the last 6 have been one score games decided in the last minute (bar a slightly more comfortable finish against the Eagles). I'd love to just watch a nice easy win and savour it the whole way rather than be crapping myself with seconds remaining!

Unfortunately, I wouldnt hold the same confidence as you say. I think the Atlanta offence is good enough to shred our secondary. Rowe is a serious liability at corner, and even taking Julio out, the Falcons have enough with Sanu and Gabriel out wide and then Freeman and Coleman coming out of the back field to take advantage of Rowe and even Logan Ryan in the slot, who whilst is massively improving, is also prone to being taken for a ride at times in a game.

I dont see the Falcons scoring less than 28 points. Can the Patriots outscore them? I dont particularly rate their defence much, but they got it done against the Packers. Brady and the offence need to be 100% at their game to keep pace with Ryan and his team. If they can, then maybe the Patriots win. Its a much used cliche, but defence wins games, and whichever defence gets the better of the good offences will be deciding factor.

JaMarcusHustle

Atlanta Falcons

A big stat I like that look of is that both these teams rely on YAC in a big way. And the Pats are 1st in YAC allowed on defence whereas the Falcons are 32nd in the same category. That bodes well.

ItsAnEasyGame

The cheapest ticket online at the moment is $3061. Yearly trends suggest this will drop superbowl week. I reckon the cheapest ticket will be about $2650 next Thursday.

bruschi

Atlanta Falcons

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

A big stat I like that look of is that both these teams rely on YAC in a big way. And the Pats are 1st in YAC allowed on defence whereas the Falcons are 32nd in the same category. That bodes well.

a lot of their defensive stats are quite poor and are in the Pats favour. 23rd in points conceded (Pats 1st), 27th in passing yards (Pats 12th), time of possession (which is kinda mixed with offence too though) Atlanta 23rd and Patriots 1st.

Turnovers for both are near identical, 22 and 23 turnovers and both on positive numbers for turnovers (+11 and +12).

Still doesnt give me any comfort though. I just think their offence is good enough to make up for their deficiencies in defence. And no game was ever won by stats.

Bateman

A couple of lads I know went to the Seattle Denver SB in New York and got tickets for about a grand through their hotel a couple of days before the game. I guess they’re different markets but surely they will go down slightly anyway as we get closer to the game.

BaronVon

Atlanta Falcons

TOss Sweep wrote: »

Yup friends of mine in Dallas corrected me earlier when I asked them but too lazy to come back and edit but 4 hours is still better than paying the rip off flights into Houston

200-300 into Dallas Friday to Monday Super Bowl weekend

550 is the cheapest into Houston and that is with sh1t airlines

We can fly from Dublin for that!!!

AbusesToilets

Atlanta Falcons

I think the Pats might try and use the strategy that the Giants used against them. Long ass drives to eat up the clock and keep the Falcons O off the field. They have to get the running game going I feel, Dan Quinn is fairly experienced losing to the Pats dink and dunk offense by now.

BizzyC

Atlanta Falcons

This is as exciting a matchup for a SB that I've seen in a while.
You have what are probably the two most well balanced teams in the league meeting, as opposed to other seasons where it's typically a defense heavy team vs an offense heavy team.

I'm not hugely confident about the Pats secondary matchup in this one, I expect both teams to make plenty of plays through the air, but I think we'll win the battle of the run games which will hopefully allow us to control the clock a bit better than the Falcons.

Malcolm Butler asked to cover Julio Jones back in college, we'll finally see how he does on the biggest stage of all!
https://twitter.com/Mac_BZ/status/282679880393580544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

eagle eye

AbusesToilets wrote: »

I think the Pats might try and use the strategy that the Giants used against them. Long ass drives to eat up the clock and keep the Falcons O off the field. They have to get the running game going I feel, Dan Quinn is fairly experienced losing to the Pats dink and dunk offense by now.

We haven't used that strategy for a couple of years now.

Bateman

eagle eye wrote: »

We haven't used that strategy for a couple of years now.

Huh?

https://www.profootballfocus.com/qbs-in-focus-short-passing-2/

– Nobody threw a higher percentage of short passes than Tom Brady, though it may surprise some to see the likes of Colin Kaepernick, Joe Flacco, and Aaron Rodgers near the top as well.

Admittedly that is for the 2014 season (which ended with their most recent SB win obviously) but I think you would have a hard time persuading people that the Pats don’t rely on the short-passing game to get them up the field for long spells in games as recent as this season. The Ravens game comes to mind but I’ll have to do more digging.

Bateman

Some notes on the opening line…some “experts” believe that it should have been set higher than the 3. Then again they might not be true experts if they’re not currently working in the game and can’t see the week-to-week info that those currently in the business can see.

I am personally probably going to try to talk myself into backing the Falcons (last 4 SBs all won outright by the dog) but it could be the first opportunity of the season to back the Patriots without the “premium”. Trouble is it’s such a one-off game on a neutral field, how do you value that…

http://www.sportsline.com/insiders/25765347/roberts-2017-super-bowl-opening-line-is-off/?ttag=splnnlheadline201242017

eagle eye

Bateman wrote: »

Huh?

https://www.profootballfocus.com/qbs-in-focus-short-passing-2/

– Nobody threw a higher percentage of short passes than Tom Brady, though it may surprise some to see the likes of Colin Kaepernick, Joe Flacco, and Aaron Rodgers near the top as well.

Admittedly that is for the 2014 season (which ended with their most recent SB win obviously) but I think you would have a hard time persuading people that the Pats don’t rely on the short-passing game to get them up the field for long spells in games as recent as this season. The Ravens game comes to mind but I’ll have to do more digging.

I said a couple of years which is two years.

Also those stats are for 1-10 yards, I would call passes of 8 or more yards dink and dunk. 1-7 at most would be dink and dunk range imo.

Knex*

Atlanta Falcons

PFF on Brady being best player in NFL this year

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-how-patriots-qb-tom-brady-was-nearly-perfect-in-2016/

Brady ended the season completing 67.4 percent of his passes, but when you adjust for drops, spikes, passes thrown away, etc. his adjusted completion percentage jumps to 79.5 percent, which is just narrowly behind Sam Bradford’s league-leading figure of 80.9 percent. Bradford, though, recorded the league’s lowest average depth of target figure to produce that historic accuracy, while Brady was putting the ball on average almost two full yards further downfield from the line of scrimmage.

The bottom line is that, over the last decade of grading, Pro Football Focus analysts have never seen a QB play with the efficiency and effectiveness that Tom Brady has displayed this season. His 99.3 PFF grade in the 2016 regular season tops the previous best season we have seen from a QB, which was Aaron Rodgers’ obscene 2011 campaign (98.4). In fact, only three previous players have surpasses the 95.0 barrier in the PFF era (since the 2006 season).

coco0981

@NFL_Memes's Tweet: https://twitter.com/NFL_Memes/status/824083008529502210?s=09

Knex*

Atlanta Falcons

Ryan is also the first QB to enter his first Super Bowl with a losing playoff record

AbusesToilets

Atlanta Falcons

I would say that the offense this season is an evolved version of dink and dunk. Our run game is light years better than it has been, and combined with Hogan's emergence, we're attacking more in the vertical than in previous years. That said, those short, crossing routes are still a strong part of the game plan.

If anything, I think the running game will be key to the Pats succeeding. Atlanta has been vulnerable there all season. Hoping for a strong game from Blount.

Bateman

I can definitely see them opening the first quarter with a low-variance run run run approach. But you just never know with BB.