(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
By John Sarianides
Game Rewind: Tom Brady and the Patriots took control early and never looked back on route to a 36-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots will be going to their record ninth Super Bowl when they battle Matt Ryan and Atlanta Falcons on February 5th in Houston. Here are five thoughts from the game.
1. Brady the Magnificent: Tom Brady was once again superb in a playoff game throwing for 384 yards and 3 touchdown passes. Brady completed 32 of 42 passes and was on point for most of the night. It is amazing what Brady is doing at the age of 39. Many already consider him the greatest quarterback of all time but a fifth Super Bowl would end any debate.
2. Hogan is a Hero: What a performance last night by Chris Hogan. He finished with 9 catches for a 180 yards and two touchdowns. Hogan routinely exploited the Steelers zone coverage by finding dead spots and flashing open. Hogan is the perfect fit in this offense because he is a good route runner and knows how to get open. He and Tom Brady have developed a terrific rapport and it showed last night. The flea flicker from Brady to Hogan for a touchdown in the second quarter was textbook!
3. Jules Rules! I would be remissed if I didn’t mention Julien Edelman’s performance. Jules had a big night finishing with 8 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. Whenever the Patriots needed a third down conversation, Edelman was open and the Patriots converted. Edelman has quietly had a great season and proven that he truly is an elite receiver in the NFL.
4. The Defense Once Again Bends But Doesn’t Break: The Patriots defense played well last night. They bent but they didn’t break. It was vintage Belichick/Patricia. They took away Antonio Brown by matching him up with Malcolm Butler and doubling him when ever they could and they played man to man against the other Steeler receivers. Of course it helped when LeVeon Bell got hurt but prior to him getting hurt, the Patriots were doing a pretty good job of gap controlling the line of scrimmage. The Patriots defense will have a big challenge on their hands against the Falcons but they’ll rise to the occasion and play well.
5. Bring On the Falcons! The Atlanta Falcons destroyed the Green Bay Packers yesterday 44-21 and will face the Patriots in Super Bowl 51. The Patriots have opened as three point favorites. I expect a high scoring affair between these two teams but I don’t think it’ll be a shootout. It’ll be a similar type of game to the Carolina Super Bowl in terms of the score.