Onion Sports’ Guide To Super Bowl LI

PublishedFebruary 3, 2017

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Quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Tom Brady both have what it takes to lead their team to victory, but only one will be eulogized 15 years from now as the champion of Super Bowl LI. Onion Sports offers the most in-depth preview of Sunday’s game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons.

Keys To The Matchup: Patriots
Treat this game like any other Super Bowl
Bill Belichick must make at least two unorthodox play calls that would be considered stunningly moronic if they came from any other coach in the league

Tom Brady should keep in mind that whether or not the Patriots win, he’s likely visiting the White House anyway

Keys To The Matchup: Falcons
Early runs by Devonta Freeman should help to set up deep downfield punts
Remember that Roger Goodell believes in you

Try to at least give the $6,000 ticket holders a good game

Players To Watch: Patriots
Tom Brady: The star quarterback must overcome the Super Bowl superstition that four wins means fortune, but five portends famine.

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Players To Watch: Patriots
Malcolm Butler: The third-year corner is expected to send a message to All-Pro Julio Jones by shoving him out of bounds after each and every 16-yard gain.

Players To Watch: Falcons
Matt Ryan: A Super Bowl victory could launch Ryan into the upper echelon of second-tier NFL quarterbacks.

Players To Watch: Falcons
Julio Jones: The Falcons’ go-to receiver will need at least 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns to become only the second MVP of a losing Super Bowl team.

Key Stats: Patriots
50: Average starting field position on coin tosses
27: Number of players currently doing things the Patriot Way
44.92: Robert Kraft’s owner rating for 2016 season

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Key Stats: Falcons
26: Times per day Falcons defense is being told they need to step up
2014: Year by which Matt Ryan and Julio Jones should have won first Super Bowl together
8: Amount of pain Julio Jones currently experiencing on scale of 1 to 10

Super Bowl Prediction: (New England Patriots 24, Atlanta Falcons 20)
A thrilling victory over the Patriots will encourage Roger Goodell to finally go out on top

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