Patriots vs Falcons: Full predictions for Super Bowl LI

Jamaal Artis

The story going into the Super Bowl comes down to the New England Patriots defense against the Atlanta Falcons offense.

The Patriots averaged 15+ points in scoring margin in their 14 wins this year, and coincidentally their defense led the league in defense scoring holding opponents to 15 point average.

While the Patriots defense proved to be stout, the Falcons offense was historic scoring 540 points in the season good for seventh best in history.

In the history of the Super Bowl, when the best team offense faced off against the best team defense, defense won all but one game (Super Bowl XXIV — 49ers).

As much as these comparisons will be made, there are some flaws.

While no one can argue the Patriots are one of the NFL’s elite teams it should be noted before the playoffs the Patriots only played 3 teams that made the playoffs.

While the stories are about the Falcons offense it should also be noted in their last six games including the playoffs the Falcons defense has only averaged 20 points allowed and defeated two of the best QB’s in the game Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers to reach the Super Bowl.

The Super Bowl narratives have a way of falling to the wayside once the whistle blows, this Super Bowl the narrative will crumble.