Super Bowl Predictions 2017: Who Will Come Out on Top?
Who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy? Find out as we make our Super Bowl 51 predictions.
The Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots will face off in Super Bowl 51 this Sunday. The Super Bowl is the single biggest sporting event of the year, and there will obviously be a ton of attention spent on the game.
Personally, I think we are in store for a great game. These have clearly been the best two teams all season long. Both sides have impressive offensive units and attacking defenses that are thriving at the right time.
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are making their seventh Super Bowl appearance together in New England. That is a staggering number and this coach/quarterback duo is going to go down favorably in history. The Falcons are a talented bunch, but the Patriots clearly have the edge in experience here.
That being said, I don’t care how many Super Bowl appearances you have made, it is going to be difficult to stop Matt Ryan and company. The Falcons scored 540 points during the regular season, which not only led the NFL, but is tied for the seventh-highest total in league history. They followed that up with 36 points in the Divisional Round against the Seattle Seahawks and 44 in the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers.
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Simply put, the Falcons can light-up the scoreboard.
However, do not discount Brady and company’s ability to score points. They did not put up historic numbers like the Falcons, but the Patriots were the third-highest scoring offense in the NFL this season. And that was without their quarterback for four games and without their biggest offensive weapon (Rob Gronkowski for a majority of the season).
The offenses will steal the headlines in this Super Bowl matchup, but the game will likely come down the defense. The Patriots have a strong and stable unit that has been rock solid for most of the season. They will allow some yards, but the Patriots’ defense does not give up many points.
The Falcons’ defense is young and extremely fast, and have been coming on strong as of late. They are not as stable as the Patriots, but Atlanta’s defense certainly brings a ton of upside to the table.
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Personally, I think this game will come down to the red zone. If either team has to settle for field goals too often, they will be playing from behind. During the regular season, the Patriots scored a touchdown on 63.77% red zone attempts, while the Falcons punched it in 63.16% of the time. No real advantage for either side there.
However, the Patriots’ defense allowed teams to score touchdowns on only 50% of red zone appearances. Seventh-best percentage in the entire league. The Falcons’ defense allowed a league-high 72.13% touchdowns in the red zone.
That, my friends, is the difference in this game. The Falcons’ defense has some upside, but they are clearly exploitable in the red zone. If you do not think Brady will find a way to exploit them, I do not know what to tell you.
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Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman and the Falcons’ offense has been great this season, but they have relied on big plays. I think the Patriots force them to beat them underneath. Meaning, if the Falcons cannot convert in the red zone, they will be in trouble. The Patriots’ red zone defense and the Falcons’ lack there of is the single biggest key to this game.
Prediction: New England Patriots 31, Atlanta Falcons 23
Predictions from others on the Da Windy City Staff
"I have the Patriots 27-20. They’ve been on a mission all season long. They want that trophy, and they want the awkwardness that is Goodell taking the stage with Brady. The Falcons have, I believe, four rookies starting in the game. The Pats will exploit that. Getting Brady that fifth title, giving him the most, and sticking it to Goodell is plenty motivation for the battle-tested New England Patriots"
Luis Felipe Saccini, Contributor
"Kyle Shanahan’s play calling causes confusion for Patriots’ defense and they can’t stop Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu. They all score at least one touchdown, Patrick DiMarco runs for another and rookie middle linebacker Deion Jones returns an interception for a touchdown.Dan Quinn uses Patriots Achilles’ heel by rushing with Jones through the middle, attacking center David Andrews and guard Joe Thuney. Deion Jones becomes the first defensive rookie to be the Super Bowl MVP. Falcons 44, Patriots 17"
"I’m going with New England 31-24. I think it’s going to be a hard-fought victory for the Patriots and Tom Brady is going to shine in the second half of the game. I feel like New England’s pedigree will be too much for the Falcons to withstand. Matt Ryan will have a good game offensively, the Patriots’ defense will be too much down the stretch. Tom Brady will take home his fourth Super Bowl MVP."
"Falcons 31, Patriots 28. I probably follow the NFL the least out of the staff here, but I do keep up. I know going with the Falcons may be risky, but I have confidence in a very hot Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. It is always difficult to pick against the Patriots and Bill Belichick. The Falcons’ offense will ultimately prove too much for the Patriots to handle, and Atlanta finally reaches its potential. I have always been told to go with my gut, and my gut tells me to pick the Falcons."
The split decisions by our staff helps tell us that we are in store for a fun and exciting Super Bowl. These are two great teams that everybody should be excited to watch do battle.