Patriots - Falcons Super Bowl LI Key Matchups, Prediction

Falcons RBs vs NE Front Seven – Razor’s Edge Atlanta
The Atlanta running game runs behind the excellent tandem of Devonta Freeman 1079 yards and 11 touchdowns and Tevin Coleman 520 yards and eight TDs. They were the #5 rushing team in the league with 120.5 yards per game and a gaudy 4.5 yards per rushing attempt.

The Patriots rush defense in 2016 was outstanding allowing just 88.6 yards per game, third-best in the league. Interior lineman Alan Branch, Malcom Brown and Vincent Valentine have been excellent at slowing the run at the point of attack and allowing the linebackers, Dont’a Hightower and Elandon Roberts to clean up. The Patriots defense has been a sure tackling team and that helps in limiting yards after contact.

The Falcons have excellent at getting very positive yardage on first down. They can mix things up and keep their opponents off-balance by using their backs in both the running and passing games. Freeman is the more elusive runner and can make players miss. Coleman is slightly less elusive but has a tremendous burst and exploit a tiny crack in the defense and turn it into a big gain.

Falcons WRs vs NE Secondary- Razor’s Edge Atlanta
The Falcons passing game was deadly in 2016. Matt Ryan finished with 4944 yards, 38 TDs, and just seven INTs. He completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and averaged 9.3 yards per attempt.

Julio Jones (83 catches, 1409 yards, 6 TDs), leads a receiving unit with Mohammed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Aldrick Robinson outside with tight ends Austin Hooper, Levine Toilolo and RBs Freeman and Coleman out of the backfield.

The Patriots secondary finished the season 12^th against the pass and was particularly adept at forcing turnovers down the stretch. They intercepted 12 passes in their last seven games. They’re going to have to get creative with the pass rush this week and mix in the occasional linebacker or safety blitz while dropping others into the passing lanes to take away the hot routes.

The key here won’t be Jones, although he’ll receive the double team with a corner underneath and a safety over the top. The slowing of the backs out of the backfield has to be the priority this week. Look for the Patriots to use Pat Chung as a linebacker in the big nickel look to cover.

Special Teams- Razor’s Edge Push
The Patriots’ Stephen Gostkowski struggled early this season but was very solid down the stretch, despite missing an extra point in the AFC title game. Punter Ryan Allen has been quite effective at pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line. The return units suffered from turnovers and poor execution most of the year. But with Lewis on the kick return unit and Edelman now at PR, things have solidified.

Matt Bryant had a very solid season for Atlanta. He was near automatic in field goals making 34 of 37 with the only three misses from beyond 50+ yards. Eric Weems was outstanding as a punt returner, averaging 11.4 yards per return this season. Both teams have good coverage units.

Next up, who wins and why…

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About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

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