by Ashlyn Gerbaz
Super Bowl LI is just weeks away, and it’s a matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots.
The Patriots’ quarterback, Tom Brady, is no stranger to Super Bowls, with four under his belt since 2002. Meanwhile, the Falcon’s quarterback, Matt Ryan, has yet to see a Super Bowl ring in his career.
The Falcon’s last Super Bowl appearance was in 1998 under quarterback Chris Chandler. Atlanta fell short in competition to the Denver Broncos and quarterback John Elway, 34-19.
The last Super Bowl appearance for the Patriots resulted in a 28-24 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2015. Later that year, quarterback Tom Brady went under fire for allegedly deflating the game balls to help him throw better in the AFC Championship game. It was a scandal infamously named “Deflategate.”
With so many past Super Bowl wins for the Patriots and Tom Brady, a significant portion of people would predict that the Patriots will be adding another ring to their collection come February.
Based on the Conference Championships, it should be an intense matchup and a close game. On Jan. 22 the Patriots took down the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to become the AFC champions. While the Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 44-21, winning the NFC and sending the team off to a second Super Bowl.
Gil Alcaraz IV, with NFL Spin Zone online, predicts that it should be a popular game to watch because Conference Championship scores were so high. It’s also a highly anticipated game because it’s a battle of the Super Bowl veterans and the underdogs
Alcaraz wrote, “It would seem New England has an edge when it comes to the whole “been there, done that” aspect of it. However, it’s the Super Bowl, and the Falcons are in it for a reason. You simply can’t count them out regardless of how inexperienced they are on this grand of a stage.”
It’s safe to say that Tom Brady is going to bring his A-game to Super Bowl LI. During the AFC championship, Brady threw for 384 yards. Not only did this help the Patriots succeed to the Super Bowl, but it was also a postseason game record for Brady.
When asked about the upcoming championship, Brady said, “There are only two teams left standing, and I’m happy we’re one of them.”
Although the Atlanta Falcons are not the most popular team in the NFL, they managed to earn the No. 2 seed despite losing five games in the 2016-2017 season. It surprised many fans and analysts when the Falcons made it to the playoffs let alone won the conference.
Falcon’s quarterback, Matt Ryan, threw for 392 yards during the NFC championship game and scored his first rushing touchdown since 2012.
Vinnie Iyer with Sporting News online believes the Brady/Ryan matchup is the best quarterback matchup in Super Bowl history. “All the QB evidence points to the Patriots and Falcons playing a crisp, clean shootout in Super Bowl LI,” Iyer said, “The winning QB will walk off having earned his game MVP award in a championship passing duel for the ages.”
I personally have never followed the Falcons or particularly liked the Patriots. If I had to choose a team to win Super Bowl LI, I would like to see the Patriots fall and the underdog Falcons win their first ring.
My prediction is solely based on my feelings. I know I’m not alone when I say that I am sick of how much media attention New England and Tom Brady receive. I am ready for a new team to take over some of that attention, and let’s face it, if the Falcons win their first Super Bowl in 2017, what else does this year hold?
Super Bowl LI will be played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Feb. 5.
