Have you actually been watching these playoffs??? Atlanta has absolutely man-handled the competition and they can't be stopped. There are actually many reasons they will win; in fact, so many it would only stand to be close for let's say "political", errr commercial (i.e. gotta make that muh-nay) reasons.
Let's start with New England...We all know them, most of us hate them despite respecting the program and the coach. OK, Brady is a smart QB. In fact, I don't understand why more quarterbacks don't just shitcan the ball near the ankles of a blocking RB or TE to avoid a ten-yard sack - but I digress. The fact is, the Patriots have been the smartest team, if not organisation for the last decade and a half. That isn't up for debate. But this year they simple aren't as good as other championship teams.
As it stands, they are 4-2 in Superbowls, and should be 3-3. Do you remember when Seattle chose to throw at the one yard line? Anywho...7 is the number of completion from a biblical standpoint; so who's to say that it won't be the end of the Patriots "dynasty". This is the first year the Spurs are without TIMMY in the NBA. So the Master Coach/Lucky Career Pro-Combo that also exists in NE could be primed for disaster. WHY, you ask?
The AFC sucked this year. The Patriots are in the big one by default. Not to say the NFC was much better, but it was. Any one of three teams in the NFC East might have made it if in the AFC, IMO. Brass tacks...Brady doesn't have his number 1 weapon in Gronkowski. Atlanta has become a pass-rushing juggernaut in the playoffs, and that is the potion to beat the team. The Patriots can't afford to move backwards. The deep ball incompletions and 4 yard sideline dinkems can ill afford the loss of a play. Even two additional punts for NE is enough to sway this thing in a dire way for the Pats. Look for Brady to use the sidelines and his arm, but also look for Atlanta to NOT play zone. Man-on-man coverage will keep Tommy GQ from passing the ball so early, opening him up to the knockdown - and his ass WILL get knocked down...and often.
Got one for ya...any idea which member of the Atlanta team will have been to three of the last 4 Superbowls??? No. Not Bobby Bucher! Cute, tho...How about Dan Quinn. Remember him? He was only the DC for the Seattle teams that went to the back-to-back SBs, winning one in a blowout. The other aforementioned ended in that pick where it could have easily been taken in by Beast Mode. Remember how Quinn's D made Peyton Manning look before the safety and ensuing rout? Yeah? Well, in case you are new to all this, he happens to be the Head Coach of the Falcons. This guy is a great coach. He cancels out Belichek. So, this game won't be because of BB. And Brady has nothing on (Matty Ice) Ryan. Ryan is a lock for the MVP. The teams around them should be touched on:
Atlanta has a better running game. 24 regular-season TD's for Atlanta's combo was first in the league by a country mile. And let's not forget the best WR in the game, Julio Jones. But it doesn't end there. Gabriel came on late in the year as a speed and hands threat to complement Sanu for the Falcons. I especially like the "who-the-hell-is-that-guy" TE, Hooper. I expect him to be the X-factor in this game. With NE characteristically double-teaming Jones, and going man-to-man on Sanu and Gabriel, this opens the TE or Tevin Coleman out of the backfield to do some damage. If you are betting on the first or last TD props, those two would be good high-odds options because Ryan is so liberal with his passes and he knows who is going to be open.
Atlanta has a defense that is very underrated. The point is, they simply haven't had to show what they got up their sleeve. It will be difficult to contain them. Yes, NE has a good run stop, but that will only force Ryan to go to the air, and as the best QB this year, New England will play right into their hands.
