Sunday’s intriguing Super Bowl match-up features the upstart NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons and their high-powered offense vs the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick-led AFC Champion New England Patriots.
By advancing to play in Super Bowl LI, the Patriots earned their NFL-record ninth Super Bowl appearance, as well as their seventh in the last 16 years under Brady and Belichick. The Patriots have also participated only other Super Bowl to be held at NRG Stadium in Houston; they won Super Bowl XXXVIII over the Carolina Panthers by a 32–29 score thirteen years earlier. The Patriots have a record of 4–4 in their previous Super Bowl appearances, and 4–2 under the leadership of Belichick and Brady.
This game marks the Falcons’ second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, after having lost Super Bowl XXXIII in January 1999 to the John Elway and the Denver Broncos.
It seems like everyone discussing the match-up only seems to speak on Atlanta’s offense and how/if they will be able to light up the scoreboard, as they have all season vs the Pats’ defense. To me, the key of the game wont be that, because Atlanta’s too talented offensively to be completely stopped IMHO. I’m wondering if Atlanta’s pass rush will put enough pressure on Brady to disrupt their rhythmic offensive attack.
If Atlanta makes it difficult for the passing game of New England’s to get into their rhytmn ala The New York Giants in the two Super Bowl losses in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI.
I’m picking the Patriots by the score of 31-21.
What do you guys think? Please drop your predictions in the comments section.
