Will Tom Brady and Bill Belichick notch their fifth Lombardi Trophy in New England? Can Matt Ryan and Co. win the first Super Bowl title in Falcons history? Who will steal the spotlight? Which moment will be talked about in years to come? Our analysts provide their predictions for Super Bowl LI.
**Why the Patriots will win:** As much as people talk about Atlanta's offense, the
Patriots did
rank third in the league in scoring at 27.6 points per game. That explosiveness and New England's experience on this stage will be problematic for the
Falcons.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:**
Julio Jones won't be the difference maker in this game that people suspect. Bill Belichick loves to take away an opponent's strength -- and Jones is surely that for Atlanta.
**Why the Patriots will win:** This is subject to change, but I'm going with the
Patriots right now. I think
Tom Brady and Co. will take full advantage of the
Falcons' young defense.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:** Brady rushes for a touchdown.
**Why the Falcons will win:**
Tevin Coleman will be the deciding factor with a game-changing play.
**MVP:** Matt Ryan
**Bold prediction:** There will be zero turnovers.
**Why the Patriots will win:** In a game with long drives, few possessions and even fewer stops, the
Patriots defense's ability to force field goals in the red zone will be the difference.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:**
Dion Lewis will lead the
Patriots in receiving with more than 100 yards.
**Why the Patriots will win:** New England's defense takes away the big plays from
Julio Jones and contains the running of
Devonta Freeman.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:**
Julian Edelman comes up big.
**Why the Falcons will win:** Though both defenses have played well throughout the playoffs, I believe this is going to be an offensive showcase. We're going to see numerous big plays downfield from both quarterbacks, but
Matt Ryan is going to be just a tad better than
Tom Brady.
**MVP:** Matt Ryan
**Bold prediction:**
Julio Jones will have 150 receiving yards.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:**
Austin Hooper has three TDs.
**Why the Patriots will win:** Bill Belichick is the best coach ever, with two weeks to prepare for this juggernaut
Falcons offense.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:** X-factors
Devin McCourty and
LeGarrette Blount make contributions. And
Tom Brady takes the trophy from Roger Goodell.
**Why the Falcons will win:** The
Patriots love to take away a team's primary weapon. But that's hard to do when you have the panoply of options that
Matt Ryan and the
Falcons possess.
**MVP:** Tevin Coleman
**Bold prediction:** Coleman sets a record for most receiving yards by a running back in the
Super Bowl.
**Why the Patriots will win:** It will be difficult for the
Patriots' defense to hold the
Falcons to this point total, more than a touchdown below
their average. It's also more than a touchdown above what
New England allows. Matt Patricia's unit has done it all season, and I don't see
Tom Brady failing.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:** Went bold
picking Jamie Collins as MVP the last time the
Patriots were in the
Super Bowl. He got traded. So, bold prediction:
Nate Solder scores a touchdown.
**Why the Patriots will win:** It's possible that
Matt Ryan and the
Falcons' offense score 30-plus points Sunday, but you better believe
Tom Brady and Pats' offense will match Atlanta's production. Both offenses are very good, but the biggest difference in this game is the defenses. New England's D played well all season long. And although the
Falcons' young unit has played well of late, it has too many holes to keep up with the Pats.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:**
Malcolm Butler wins it again with a last-second INT.
**Why the Falcons will win:** The
Falcons have one of the best offenses of all time. They'll get the recognition they deserve after this game.
**MVP:** Julio Jones
**Bold prediction:**
Matt Ryan and
Tom Brady set a
Super Bowl record for combined passing yards, but Ryan does just a little bit more.
**Why the Patriots will win:** New England had
the No. 1 scoring defense in the regular season and held the
Texans and
Steelers to under 20 points the last two games. I think the
Patriots will hold the
Falcons far below their average.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:**
Martellus Bennett has more TDs than
Julio Jones.
**Why the Falcons will win:** I've changed my mind about a thousand times on this pick. But after watching tape today, it's Atlanta. This offense looks to be the difference.
**MVP:** Vic Beasley
**Bold prediction:**
Devonta Freeman and
Tevin Coleman will each have 100-plus scrimmage yards.
**Why the Falcons will win:** The
Patriots' defense is good, but hasn't been truly tested in this run to the
Super Bowl. The
Falcons' offense will cement its status as an all-time unit with a diverse attack that is able to just edge out
Tom Brady in what goes down as a classic.
**MVP:** Matt Ryan
**Bold prediction:** Four different
Falcons players other than
Julio Jones score touchdowns -- though Jones puts up a memorable performance with tough, chain-moving catches and over 100 yards.
**Why the Patriots will win:** The
Falcons' defense has played well of late, as evidenced by
the near-complete shutdown of Aaron Rodgers. But give the
Patriots that additional week to prepare, and
Tom Brady and Co. will be able to exploit any weakness that exists.
**MVP:**
Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:** The
Falcons, driving late for the go-ahead score, actually try to run the ball from the 2-yard line. And are stuffed as the
Patriots again win at the goal line.
**Why the Falcons will win:** Though
Matt Ryan has mostly led the way for these
Falcons, Atlanta will be guided on Sunday by the two-headed monster in the backfield,
Devonta Freeman and
Tevin Coleman.
**MVP:** Vic Beasley
**Bold prediction:** Beasley will have three sacks, with his third sack ending Brady's final drive.
**Why the Patriots will win:** This game means a lot to each organization, with
Tom Brady trying to become the only quarterback to win five rings and
Matt Ryan trying to bring Atlanta its first Lombardi Trophy. NRG Stadium will be rockin', and experience will net New England its fifth title.
**MVP:** Malcom Brown
**Bold prediction:** I think my MVP pick was bold. But Brown will get three sacks.
**Why the Falcons will win:** 150 combined rushing yards between the
Falcons two lead backs and, more importantly, 90 receiving yards between them, as well. While the
Patriots are well-equipped to handle Atlanta's passing game, something has to give.
**MVP:** Matt Ryan
**Bold prediction:**
Julian Edelman has 10 catches for more than 200 receiving yards. Brady goes back to his old reliable in an effort to move the ball down the field on Dan Quinn's defense.
**Why the Patriots will win:** I want to say Atlanta will blow the doors off, but my gut (and history) says Brady wins.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:**
Julio Jones has three TDs, but it's still not enough.
**Why the Patriots will win:** Unless Atlanta's running backs can dominate on the ground (which they won't), the
Falcons won't be able to deter
Tom Brady's meeting with destiny.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:** Lady Gaga stays fully clothed.
**Why the Patriots will win:**
Matt Ryan will move the ball, but a young
Falcons defense won't have enough to slow down
Tom Brady in the end. TB12 leads the game-winning drive to culminate a year worthy of being chronicled in books and movies.
**MVP:** Tom Brady
**Bold prediction:** Ryan will throw four touchdown passes, but a missed PAT by
Matt Bryant early in the first half will come back to haunt the
Falcons in the end.
