{"id":2750,"date":"2017-02-04T16:45:47","date_gmt":"2017-02-04T21:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2750"},"modified":"2017-02-04T16:45:47","modified_gmt":"2017-02-04T21:45:47","slug":"super-bowl-51-why-the-falcons-will-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2750","title":{"rendered":"SUPER BOWL 51 : WHY THE FALCONS WILL WIN"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Super-Bowl-51.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2751\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Super-Bowl-51-1024x683.jpg?resize=584%2C390&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Super-Bowl-51.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Super-Bowl-51.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Super-Bowl-51.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Super-Bowl-51.jpg?resize=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Super-Bowl-51.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a>Oh yeah!\u00a0 Are you ready?\u00a0 The greatest game in <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">American<\/span> all of sports is set to be played Sunday night in Houston.\u00a0 Seriously, after the Super Bowl, we fall off the sports cliff (but pitchers and catchers report on zzzzzzzzzzzz).<\/p>\n<p>Anyway, the high-flying Atlanta Falcons take on the New England Patriots.\u00a0 Yes, the same Patriots that are always in the Super Bowl.\u00a0 With the same <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">cheating<\/span> quarterback, same <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">cheating<\/span> coach, and same cast of bit-players and discarded running backs and receivers who somehow become great once they put on that stupid uniform.\u00a0 I\u2019m looking at you Chris Hogan!\u00a0 Hilariously, Roid Rage has to tell you why the Patriots will win the Super Bowl.\u00a0 For a devout Buffalo Bills fan (is there any other kind?) that must be the most painful experience since the Music City Miracle (sorry, bro).\u00a0 Well, if you\u2019re like 99% of Americans (and 100% of Americans who can pronounce the letter r) there\u2019s only one to root for come Sunday.\u00a0 So let me tell you why the Atlanta Falcons will win the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s start with a video, shall we:\u00a0 I call this one, Julio-ma-god!<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gWbh3Wpl85M?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Everyone loves to talk about quarterbacks, but I like to talk about the most dominant player on the field.\u00a0 That is Julio Jones, who has absolutely lit up the field in the postseason.\u00a0 Here\u2019s Julio\u2019s stat line this postseason:\u00a0 15\/247\/3.\u00a0 In two games!\u00a0 He is unstoppable.\u00a0 Even when he\u2019s doubled, or guarded with safety help underneath, he\u2019s a threat (watch that video again).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2754\" style=\"width: 960px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Julio-Jones.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2754\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2754\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Julio-Jones.jpg?resize=584%2C328&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Next stop:  endzone.\" width=\"584\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Julio-Jones.jpg?w=950&amp;ssl=1 950w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Julio-Jones.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Julio-Jones.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Julio-Jones.jpg?resize=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2754\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Next stop: endzone.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Julio\u2019s an atypical wide receiver, in that he\u2019s not a complete self-absorbed diva.\u00a0 You\u2019ll never see him taking videos in the locker room, or partying with Bieber.\u00a0 His laid back, unassuming attitude might not get him headlines, but he\u2019s not looking for that.\u00a0 He\u2019s looking to win.\u00a0 That doesn\u2019t mean he lacks confidence, he just doesn\u2019t need to be a dick about it.\u00a0 During the (annoyingly long) media day, Julio was asked if anyone can guard him.\u00a0 In a very polite, yet matter-of-fact tone, Julio responded.\u00a0 \u201cOne-on-one, no I do not.\u201d\u00a0 Period.\u00a0 And we believe him.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2752\" style=\"width: 867px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Sanu-and-Gabriel.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2752\" class=\"wp-image-2752 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Sanu-and-Gabriel.jpg?resize=584%2C654&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"584\" height=\"654\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Sanu-and-Gabriel.jpg?w=857&amp;ssl=1 857w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Sanu-and-Gabriel.jpg?resize=268%2C300&amp;ssl=1 268w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Sanu-and-Gabriel.jpg?resize=768%2C860&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2752\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Don&#8217;t forget about us.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Julio is only the beginning of the problem for the Patriots.\u00a0 Simply put:\u00a0 the Falcons have a more complete offense than the Patriots.\u00a0 Both running and receiving are (by far) superior to New England.\u00a0 Stick that in your Wahlbahgah!\u00a0 Mohammed Sanu has scored a touchdown in each playoff game this year, and Taylor Gabriel continues to display is \u201cX-factor\u201d [draft day drinking game term\u2026chug!].\u00a0 He hasn\u2019t scored in the postseason (yet), but we love his work on the inside.\u00a0 That\u2019s where the Patriots D is most vulnerable.\u00a0 They\u2019ll work to contain Julio and Sanu outside, which should leave lanes for Gabriel and his ridiculous speed.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2707\" style=\"width: 594px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Davonta-Freeman.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2707\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2707\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Davonta-Freeman-1024x679.jpg?resize=584%2C387&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Don't forget about me, either.\" width=\"584\" height=\"387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Davonta-Freeman.jpg?resize=1024%2C679&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Davonta-Freeman.jpg?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Davonta-Freeman.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Davonta-Freeman.jpg?resize=452%2C300&amp;ssl=1 452w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Davonta-Freeman.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Davonta-Freeman.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2707\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Don&#8217;t forget about me, either.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Who\u2019s the receiving game\u2019s best friend, you ask?\u00a0 A running game.\u00a0 And the Falcons succeed there too.\u00a0 Devonta Freeman\u2019s so, good, he\u2019s talking contract extension <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefalcoholic.com\/2017\/1\/30\/14446624\/devonta-freeman-contract-elite-payday-atlanta-falcons-super-bowl-51\">BEFORE<\/a> the Super Bowl.\u00a0 That\u2019s either insanely na\u00efve or confident, and based on his play, we\u2019ll go with the latter.\u00a0 Devonta hasn\u2019t rushed for many yards in the playoffs, but he\u2019s scored a touchdown in each playoff game, and he\u2019s a [cue draft day drinking game term] dual threat, as he can catch the ball out of the backfield.\u00a0 In their Divisional Playoff game against Seattle, Freeman was the Falcon\u2019s leading receiver.\u00a0 That just adds another defensive scheme wrinkle\u2026if the Pats double Julio and drop two safeties in coverage to stop the pass and shadow the slot, that will leave Devonta one-on-one in the flat against a linebacker.\u00a0 We like those odds.<\/p>\n<p>But let\u2019s not just talk about the offense.\u00a0 The defense gets their props too.\u00a0 While obviously overshadowed by the offense, the defense is no slouch.\u00a0 And, more importantly, they match up really well against the Patriots.\u00a0 If history is any indicator, the recipe against the Pats is front 4 pressure, close the pocket, and get in Brady\u2019s face.\u00a0 Like this:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IkHOkzACRX0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Or this:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aA-JEEDX690?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Speed on the edge and pressure up front.\u00a0 Atlanta\u2019s all over that.\u00a0 The Falcons are the second coming of the Legion of Boom, which is no surprise, seeing as how Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn was the defensive coordinator in Seattle prior to taking the job with Atlanta.\u00a0 Long, aggressive, and quick, and it starts up front, with NFL leading-sack man Vic Beasley.\u00a0 He\u2019s listed as a linebacker, but don\u2019t be surprised to see him with his hands on the ground up front.\u00a0 For true defensive ends, the Falcons have a good blend of youth and experience, with Adrian Clayborn, Tyson Jackson, and Dwight Freeney (what is he, like 50?).\u00a0 The Patriots O-line will have their hands full.<\/p>\n<p>In the secondary, things don\u2019t get much better.\u00a0 Yes, they\u2019re inexperienced, but 2<sup>nd<\/sup> year stud Jalen Collins is quickly establishing himself as a lockdown corner, and rookie Keanu Neal adds even more speed in the safety spot.\u00a0 Speed and length in the secondary allows for an aggressive game plan for the front seven.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2753\" style=\"width: 594px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Matt-Ryan-2.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2753\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2753\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Matt-Ryan-2-1024x576.jpg?resize=584%2C329&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"MVP! MVP! MVP!\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Matt-Ryan-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Matt-Ryan-2.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Matt-Ryan-2.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Matt-Ryan-2.jpg?resize=500%2C281&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Matt-Ryan-2.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Matt-Ryan-2.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Matt-Ryan-2.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2753\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MVP! MVP! MVP!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Oh, yeah, and we didn\u2019t even talk about (soon to be) MVP Matt Ryan.\u00a0 Ryan followed up his brilliant regular season with an even more brilliant performance in the playoffs.\u00a0 He\u2019s thrown for 730 yard and 7 touchdowns\u2026in 2 games!\u00a0 Those are Madden-esque numbers.\u00a0 Plus, Matt\u2019s got one more trick up his sleeve to help him in the Super Bowl.\u00a0 Advice from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/news\/story\/0ap3000000781230\/article\/eli-manning-offers-matt-ryan-super-bowl-advice\">only man<\/a> that\u2019s beaten Tom in the Super Bowl (twice). \u00a0You know I can\u2019t write a <a href=\"https:\/\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2047\">Super Bowl winning article<\/a> without mentioning Eli.<\/p>\n<p>You can talk mystique and hoodies all you want, but these Patriots are riding on the coattails of the past.\u00a0 The loss of Gronk will be felt even more now that Martellus Bennett is limping.\u00a0 He\u2019ll play, but he won\u2019t be near 100%.\u00a0 Look, they\u2019re still the Patriots.\u00a0 This game will not be a blowout.\u00a0 Tom Brady is still Tom Brady, with his perfect little arm, perfect wife, perfect family\u2026dammit we him.\u00a0 But Atlanta\u2019s got too much firepower for the Patriots to handle.<\/p>\n<p>One more thing:\u00a0 Bet.\u00a0 The.\u00a0 Under.\u00a0 We know the Falcons have scored 30+ points in six consecutive games.\u00a0 We know the Patriots score in bunches too.\u00a0 We know we told you to <a href=\"https:\/\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2740\">bet the over<\/a> in the NFC Championship Game against Green Bay when it was a jaw-dropping 61 (you\u2019re welcome). \u00a0We know everyone is expecting a shootout. \u00a0But hear us out. \u00a0First, the over\/under is at a historic high for the Super Bowl at 59.\u00a0 Second, only 4 times has the over\/under for a Super Bowl been over 50 points.\u00a0 The under has hit all 4 times.\u00a0 Defenses gel as the playoffs move on, and playcalling gets more conservative as the stakes get higher.\u00a0 Look for the under to be successful for the 5<sup>th<\/sup> time.<\/p>\n<p>Final thoughts: \u00a0Not for nothing, but you should root for the Falcons. \u00a0With all the gut shots America&#8217;s taken over the past month, another Patriots Super Bowl will just put us over the edge.<\/p>\n<p>This ginger\u2019s flying high with the Falcons. \u00a0Let&#8217;s make Football great again.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Final Score:\u00a0 Atlanta 31, New England 27<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oh yeah!\u00a0 Are you ready?\u00a0 The greatest game in American all of sports is set to be played Sunday night in Houston.\u00a0 Seriously, after the Super Bowl, we fall off the sports cliff (but pitchers and catchers report on zzzzzzzzzzzz). &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=2750\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nfl"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Bp3y-Im","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2750"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2750\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2755,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2750\/revisions\/2755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}