By John Sarianides

It’s Super Bowl Sunday folks! After two weeks of dissecting this match up between the Patriots and the Falcons, its game time! 

Here are some final thoughts I have prior to kick off.

1. Both teams need to start fast offensively, especially the Patriots. They have been notoriously slow starters in their previous six Super Bowls.

2. The more I think about it, I would defer if I were Bill Belichick and I won the toss. Getting that second half possession is huge. Especially in a game that could be a high scoring affair.

3. Red zone defense will determine the outcome of this game. The Patriots have been much better than Atlanta in this area.

4. With Alex Mack banged up, do the Patriots bring more A gap and B gap pressure? I think they will, especially early in the game.

5. We keep hearing rumblings that the Patriots might match up Eric Rowe on Julio Jones early because he is a bigger corner. Packers corner Ladarius Gunter is a big corner as well and Jones ate his lunch in the NFC Championship game. Bad idea in my opinion.

6. Atlanta will be aggressive early on offense. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan does a great job of finding the match up he likes early and attacking it.

7. Dan Quinn has to be willing to take chances in this game. Gadgets, going for it on fourth down in your own end and onside kicking should all be on the table for the Falcons. 

8. I think Patriots running back James White and Falcons tight end Austin Hooper are two players offensively to keep an eye on in this game. Both could end up having big games for their teams.

9. Special teams will play a big role in this game. Stephen Gostkowski and Ryan Allen must limit Eric Weems and other Falcons returners impact on this game.

10. I still think this game will be close. I am sticking to my 31-28 Patriots prediction.