By John Sarianides
The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons are mirror images of each other in all three phases of the game. Both teams have elite quarterbacks, diverse rushing attacks and play makers at wide receiver and tight end.
Defensively, both teams play team oriented defense. It is about proper pursuit angles and team tackling. There are some good players on both defenses but there is no J.J Watt type impact player on either defense. Instead, both units are well coached and disciplined.
So, which team has the edge when we compare them? You are about to find out.
Quarterback: Tom Brady v. Matt Ryan: You have to give Brady the slight edge because of experience and the fact that he is the greatest quarterback of all time. Both quarterbacks are elite. They posses off the charts intangibles and they can make every throw in the book. Matt Ryan will win the regular season MVP award but Tom Brady is the better quarterback because he has been there before and doesn’t feel the pressure like Ryan would. Edge: Patriots
Running Back: LeGarrette Blount, Dion Lewis, James White and James Devlin v. Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman and Patrick DiMarco: The Patriots and Falcons use their running backs the same way. Both Kyle Shanahan and Josh McDaniels like to pound the football with their backs but they also like splitting them out and creating match-ups against linebackers and safeties. It is hard to pick one backfield over the other because they are both so productive. I think this is a draw. They cancel each other out. Edge: Draw
Wide Receiver: Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell v. Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Taylor gabriel, Aldrick Robinson: You have got to give the Falcons the edge at receiver because they have Julio Jones. Jones might just be the best receiver in the game. He is big, fast, runs great routes and has terrific hands. The Patriots receiving corp will make plenty of plays in this game, especially Julian Edelman but it is hard to take them head to head against Jones and the Falcons versatile set of receivers. Edge: Falcons
Tight End: Martellus Bennett, Matt Lengel v. Austin Hooper, Levine Toilolo, Joshua Perkins: If Rob Gronkowski were playing in this game, you would obviously give the edge to the Patriots. He is not. I still give the Patriots the edge however because of Martellus Bennett. Bennett is the best tight end on either team. He is an effective blocker and a terrific receiver, especially in the red zone. The Falcons tight ends have started to produce over the course of the past six weeks, especially Austin Hooper. Despite that, I don’t think any of them are the threat that Bennett is. That is why I am giving the Patriots the slight edge. Edge: Patriots
Offensive Line: Nate Solder, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon v. Jake Matthews, Andy Levitre, Alex Mack, Chris Chester, Ryan Schraeder: Both offensive lines are very good. They are both anchored by veteran leaders who have been around for a long time. For the Patriots, it is Nate Solder and for the Falcons it is Alex Mack. The Falcons offensive line is the only unit in the league to start every single game together this season. They have been very good and highly underrated.
I think both lines are well coached and they will both play well. It is going to come down to which team protects the passer the best. The Patriots only gave up 24 sacks on the season while the Falcons gave up 37 sacks. That is why I am taking the Patriots in this match-up. They are better in pass protection. Edge: Patriots
Defense
Defensive Line: Chris Long, Alan Branch, Malcolm Brown, Trey Flowers v. Tyson Jackson, Jonathan Babineaux, Grady Jarrett, Brooks Reed: Neither defensive line boasts an elite pass rusher but both groups are capable of getting pressure on the quarterback. The only way the Falcons get any consistent pressure is when they line up Vic Beasley as a five technique defensive end on passing downs.
The Patriots also struggle with getting to the opposing quarterback. Trey Flowers has been their best pass rusher this season. Both defenses need to blitz in order to consistently harass opposing quarterbacks. The defensive line that plays the best could ultimately decide this game. I can’t tell you which group that will be because neither group really stands out. I have this match up as a draw unless Beasley plays more defensive end than linebacker. In that case, the Falcons would have the edge. Edge: Draw
Linebackers: Shea McClellin, Dont’a Hightower, Rob Ninkovich v. Vic Beasley, Deion Jones, De’Vondre Campbell: Both teams are well represented at linebacker. For the Falcons, rookies DeVondre Campbell and Deion Jones have exceeded expectations. Both have been excellent and they are a terrific fit in Dan Quinn’s defense.
Dont’a Hightower is one of the best inside linebackers in the game. He is a three down player who can stop the run and come off the edge on third down. He along with Rob Ninkovich and Shea McClellin form a solid linebacking corp.
Second year Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley burst on the scene this season finishing with 15.5 sacks. Atlanta uses Beasley in some of the same ways the Patriots use Hightower and Rob Ninkovich. He has been virtually unblockable this season.
I think the group that plays the best in pass coverage will play a major role in the overall success of their respective defense. Especially when both teams start using their running backs in the passing game. That being said, I am giving the Falcons the edge at linebacker. Beasley is a tremendous pass rusher and Jones and Campbell are superior athletes to Ninkovich and McClellin. Edge: Falcons
Secondary: Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung v. Robert Alford, Jalen Collins, Keanu Neal, Ricardo Allen: The Patriots have a distinct advantage in the secondary. With the injury to veteran corner Desmond Trufant, Atlanta does not have a cover corner as good as Malcolm Butler. Corners Jalen Collins and Robert Alford will be heavily targeted by the Patriots early in this game.
Both secondaries will be tested by each teams explosive passing attacks but I think the Patriots are better equipped to deal with Atlanta’s passing game than the Falcons are with the Patriots passing game. The Patriots have more depth in the secondary. I think the Patriots will try to limit the touches of Mohamed Sanu and Taylor Gabriel and bracket Julio Jones when ever possible with Logan Ryan and Devin McCourty. Either way, the performance of these two groups could determine the winner of this Super Bowl. Despite that, I give the Patriots the edge. Edge: Patriots
Special Teams: Stephen Gostkowski and Matt Bryant are a wash. Gostokowski is still an elite kicker but he did struggle earlier this season. Ryan Allen gives the Patriots the edge at punter, especially because he is a left footed punter. The Falcons get the edge in the return game because of Eric Weems. Edge: Draw
I give the Patriots a slight edge on paper. The fact that these two teams are so evenly matched speaks to how tight this game could potentially be.