The time has come again already to sit on our couches all day long, eating nothing but chips and salsa, hot dogs and more chips and salsa. Ah yes, it’s time for the Super Bowl once again. For some, this is what the season has been leading up to; it’s the culmination of 17 weeks of Sundays (and Mondays and Thursdays) spent yelling at TVs, arguing with referees (through the TV) and, when lucky, sweet celebration. For others, it’s an excuse for a party. Hey, nobody’s judging.
This season, we have the New England Patriots matching up against the Atlanta Falcons, which is basically the modern version of David vs. Goliath. The Patriots have been in eight Super Bowls since 1986, winning four of them. The Falcons? This will be their second appearance. With that said, Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady is heading to his seventh Super Bowl; Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan will be in his first.
Whether you’re in it for the football, or just hanging around until Lady Gaga takes the stage, here are some pointers you should know about this year’s big game.
Contrast of the Quarterbacks
We finally (finally) had closure to #Deflategate, with Tom Brady serving a four-game suspension to start the 2016-17 season. Even without those four games, Brady has a strong case for winning the NFL MVP award this year, with 3,554 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. And you can’t ignore just two, count them two, interceptions. Again, that’s after missing four games. Despite what Brady himself says, I can only imagine how much of a motivator that is. The possibility of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell having to hand the Lombardi Trophy over to a guy who he suspended for hearsay at the beginning of the season is just too good to let it fly under the radar.
And then there’s Matt Ryan, who has put together a pretty impressive resume himself over the course of the season, also vying for that coveted MVP honor. Just shy of 5,000 passing yards and 38 touchdowns aren’t something at which to scoff.
But, take into consideration the fact that this is Matt Ryan’s first Super Bowl appearance. It’s Tom Brady’s seventh. Experience may not seem necessary in some cases, but it does mean something in terms of the Super Bowl. Ryan and the Falcons are facing off against one of the most iconic quarterback/coach duos in football history. No pressure.
Attack of the Offense
Behind the quarterbacks, both teams have threats offensively. The Patriots lost the number one tight end in the game, Rob Gronkowski, this season to a multitude of injuries. No one can compare to Gronkowski statistically, it’s not possible. But, Martellus Bennett has done an effective job in filling those shoes for the Patriots. Traded to New England before the season started, Bennett was a guy who hadn’t quite made a name for himself yet. However, he totaled 701 receiving yards and set a personal record of seven touchdowns this season as the Patriots’ number one receiver, playing in all 16 games.
Also a guy who has excelled in his first season with the Patriots, after bouncing around from team to team since he was first signed in 2011, is Chris Hogan. He had his best career season in 2016 and set the Patriots’ record for most yards receiving in a playoff game (180) in the AFC Championship game against the Steelers.
But, how are these guys who are just coming into their own going to match up against the Julio Jones? Jones has been nothing short of explosive for the Falcons this season, able to go from 0-100 as soon as his fingertips touch the football. He led the league in receptions and receiving yards in 2015, and then totaled 1,409 yards in 2016, with six touchdowns (he was a godsend in my Fantasy Football line-up).
Quietly Good Defenses
When you think of the best defenses in the game, you think of the Seattle Seahawks, the Denver Broncos, the Minnesota Vikings. But the Patriots have one of the best defenses in the league this season, allowing the fewest average points points per game. However, Atlanta and New England are pretty evenly matched when it comes to yards given up per play, rushing attempts, and rushing yards allowed. The Falcons come in ahead of the Patriots in receiving yards allowed, however, which may give the Falcons an edge, since the Patriots are, again, without Rob Gronkowski. You know what they say… defense wins championships. And this is the championship game of championship games.
So there you have it. Now get cheering. Or eating. Whichever one suits you on Sunday.