The Atlanta Falcons are headed to their first Super Bowl since 1999. Atlanta has made it to the NFC Championship twice since then; once in 2004 and another in 2012. After reading the rest of my article you will see why Super Bowl 51 belongs to Atlanta.
Keys to the Atlanta Falcons Winning Super Bowl 51
This season, the Atlanta Falcons have been known for their creative offense and ability to exploit their opponents weakness on defense. In Denver, it was the speed of the running backs Devonte Freeman and Tevin Coleman in the passing game. Against the Seattle Seahawks defense, it was the confusion that led to Levine Toilolo’s 46-yard touchdown strike. Matt Ryan is on a historic run. He broke this record the day before Christmas:
Matt Ryan is the 1st quarterback to throw a TD pass to 13 different receivers in a single season (via @eliassports)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 24, 2016
Throwing touchdowns to 13 different receivers is not the only impressive thing he’s accomplished. An argument could be made for Matt Ryan to win the MVP this season. During the Falcon’s wins in the playoffs, Matt Ryan has continued his success.
Matt Ryan is the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 3 TD passes in 4 straight postseason games.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 22, 2017
Matt Ryan: 7 Pass TD, 0 int this postseason. Previous 6 QB to throw that many TD w/o an int in a postseason all won the Super Bowl that year pic.twitter.com/sIaVLARDAr
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 25, 2017
Matt Ryan has a complete arsenal of weapons around him. The Atlanta Falcons won only three games during the regular season in which Julio Jones had over 100 yards receiving. That means 8 of the 11 games the Falcons won, Julio Jones did not put up huge numbers. Bill Belichick is known for taking away what you do best. What the Dirty Birds do best is give “11” the football and turn it into a game of “king of the hill”. Belichick is also likely to use his big guns to negate the matchup nightmare Devonte Freeman and Tevin Coleman create. This coming Sunday, look for the Falcons to feature Mohamed Sanu Sr., Taylor Gabriel, Levine Toilolo, and Austin Hooper more. If they win individual battles it could become a one-sided track meet.
Something I have been impressed with this entire season is Kyle Shanahan’s ability to disguise and makeshift his true featured receiver. His creativity when it comes to formation alignment cannot go unnoticed. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has his hands full because the New England Patriots have the NFL’s best scoring defense. They also have allowed the fewest “big plays” of any defense.
“That blows my mind that people would be doing that,” Shanahan said of the criticisms, via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “It’s the best defense that we’ve seen in the NFL this year. The numbers show it. And watch the film and you see exactly why their numbers are the way they are. They are extremely tough to score against. That’s why their No. 1 in the NFL. I believe only one game this year someone scored 30 points.
“They have very good players all around: players that are interchangeable that can be pass-rushers, that can be linebackers, that can be corners, that can be safeties. And they have an extremely good scheme. So, it’s by far the biggest challenge we’ve had this year.”
Shanahan’s offenses have had success against Belichick’s defense in both games the two have faced off.
Kyle Shanahan has faced Belichick twice:
’09 Texans: 34 Points
’11 Washington: 27 PointsHe did this with Matt Schaub and Rex Grossman.
— Adam Lefkoe (@AdamLefkoe) January 24, 2017
In two games vs. Belichick, Kyle Shanahan’s offenses averaged:
30.5 points
451 Total Yards
157 Rushing Yards
27 First Downs— Adam Lefkoe (@AdamLefkoe) January 24, 2017
Credit needs to be given where credit is due, however. There is a reason Brady and Belichick are the most consistently successful coach/player combination the sports world has seen since Bill Russell and Red Auerbach (yes more successful than Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan in the 90’s). This is Tom Brady’s seventh super Bowl appearance. That is two more than all the Falcon’s players have combined. Like I said earlier, Belichick will most likely do his best to take away Freeman/Coleman and Julio Jones. This is where Shanahan’s offensive creativity needs to be evident.
The biggest knock against this Falcons team is their defense. They are the first team in Super Bowl history to start four rookies on defense (Dion Jones, Keanu Neal, De’Vandre Campbell, and Brain Poole). Not to mention four other starters on that same defense are in their second year (Ricardo Allen, Vic Beasley Jr., Grady Jarrett, and Jalen Collins). Just how good have they been in the last six games?
The Falcons have won their last 6 games, averaging 39.0 PPG. They have 1 giveaway and 13 takeaways in their last 6 games.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 27, 2017
The @AtlantaFalcons defense has allowed 19.3 PPG during their current 6-game win streak (they allowed 27.6 PPG in their first 12 games) pic.twitter.com/toRZxeUau9
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 25, 2017
They are a young team and looked the part in the opening drives against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game. But once they popped Aaron Rodgers a few times, they settled in. He did not look as sharp and I feel they can create the same pressure on Tom Brady, especially playing against a worse offensive line and less acrobatic quarterback, according to pro football focus. My biggest concern is the Patriots lining up in jumbo formations with extra lineman and tight end’s to counterattack the Falcons swarming speed. Followed by 70-85 yard touchdown drives that take 5-7 minutes each. What’s the best defense against a hot offense? Keep their defense on the field.
The Patriots have a very talented roster; one that is capable of winning a Super Bowl (I just don’t think it’s this one). With all the playmakers the Falcons have on offense, the creativity and attention to detail Shanahan brings to this offense, the leadership and love Dan Quinn brings, and the fast, “ball-hawking” defense the Falcons have; I think it is theirs to take. It is Atlanta’s turn to host its first Championship trophy since 1995. My message to the Falcons? Do whatever you have to do to bring that sucker home.
Rise up Dirty Birds. #Inbrotherhood
