Super Bowl LI: New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons — who holds the advantage?

Eric Gay / AP Photo

Charlie Riedel / AP Photo

Timothy A Clary / AFP

Kevin Jeffers takes a look at the NFL championship game between the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots, which kicks off Monday morning at 3.30am in the UAE. To move on to the next picture, click the red arrows in the bottom right corner or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

The quarterbacks

The man pictured near left? His name is Matt Ryan, and he is the reason the Falcons have made their first Super Bowl since 1999. Ryan led the league in QB rating in the regular season (117.1) and has been even better in two play-off games, with 730 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Doubts have followed Ryan during his nine-year career for never winning a title, but now is his chance to erase those forever.

No introduction needed for Tom Brady. The Patriots leader is playing in his seventh Super Bowl, all under coach Bill Belichick. A win would give Brady five titles, breaking a tie with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw for most ever. Brady might already be the greatest quarterback in NFL history, and his 2016 season was remarkably one of his best after a four-game suspension to start the year. At 39, he is as good as ever.

Advantage: Even

The rest of the offence

Atlanta receiver Julio Jones is a physical specimen that gives Ryan as good a target as any quarterback could hope for. But Jones is just the best part of a loaded arsenal that includes two superb running backs in DeVonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, as well as a load of receivers apart from Jones to deal with. Ryan threw touchdown passes to an NFL-record 13 different players this season. The Falcons are never predictable.

Brady’s options are nothing to sneeze at, even after losing top tight end Rob Gronkowski midway through the season. Gronkowski’s replacement, Martellus Bennett, is solid, as is receiver Julian Edelman. Running backs Lagarrette Blount and James White give the Patriots good change-of-pace options to run against Atlanta’s suspect run defence. The Patriots trailed only Atlanta in points scored this year.

Advantage: Atlanta, though only slightly

Defence

A young, speedy unit that often plays three or four rookies at a time, the Falcons defence is perceived as the team’s weakness. But they have performed better since their bye in Week 11, allowing eight fewer points a game. Pass-rusher Vic Beasley led the league in sacks (15.5), and is their best player on that side of the ball. Brady and the Patriots will be the biggest test yet for an athletic, though vulnerable, Falcons defence.

The Patriots boast one of the best secondaries in the league, which is good news going against such a potent Atlanta passing game. But they have not really been tested by a top-tier quarterback (like Ryan) all season. The pass-rush is nothing special, but they can shut down the run. How New England defend Atlanta's prolific attack will determine the game, but they are in good hands with Belichick's schematic acumen. Advantage: New England

Prediction

This could be one of the highest-scoring Super Bowls ever. The adage that defence wins championships is a tried-and-true one, but this year features the league’s two best offences with average defences. Both teams can seemingly score at will, and in that situation you have to pick the team capable of scoring the most. It will be close and should be entertaining, but the Falcons will score just enough to win their first championship.

Final score: Atlanta 36 New England 35