The time has come for SU’s fearless Super Bowl predictions. I have proudly not read or watched anything related to the upcoming game. There is just too much hype and tell the truth: what could be more fun than reading about the potential 4-team trades for Carmelo Anthony?
Here are the SU keys to the game:
- Neutral field: that hurts Atlanta which is exceptional at home and much less so on the road. While Houston is technically “neutral”, it’s still not Atlanta.
- Indoor like conditions: that helps the Falcons which SU says play better not out in the elements. A guy like Tom Brady adapts to any conditions and weather as long as the ball pressure also adapts (ha ha).
- Julio Jones: SU had him on our fantasy team this year. He has battled a foot injury all year and his performance was up and down. Belichick is famous for taking away a team’s best player but my sense is that the Falcons have scored plenty of points in games when Jones did nothing. Matt Ryan has enough weapons to get it done.
- I think both teams have great offenses and will move up and down the field fairly easily. The Pats have a better defense which might lead to more field goals for Atlanta while the Patriots score touchdowns.
We have run the various computer scenarios and have the Falcons winning 37 – 31 in a competitive game throughout. Given that both teams can score quickly, you get the feeling that we won’t have a blowout this year and that would be good given how boring most of the playoff games have been.
Feel free to post your predictions for scores and any other notable events that may happen, e.g., Tom Brady not shaking Roger Goodell’s hand? As always, SU will give kudos and props to whoever comes closest to the final score and surely you want to be recognized by the hundreds of thousands of SU intergalactic subscribers (this excludes the 3-5 million people who voted illegally which means the total is actually much higher).
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Patriots 31-23. While I know the Patriots can and have been beaten, as a rule during the Belichick/Brady era, I do not pick against them.
Patriots 34 Falcons 21….Patriots keep on matriculating the ball down the field.
So all what you have mentioned is similar in my same thought process. To get a bit deeper in how Atlanta will win includes a more balanced attack with their 2-headed running game.. Yes, the Pats will probably somehow double team Julio a good portion of the game however once the Pats see Atlanta’s effectiveness on the ground there will be more of a guessing game as to when Julio will be double teamed.
Now with that said I expect Ryan will also get some effective runs in with his own legs. It’s all or nothing out there so there is less need to worry about the dings and bruises that come with this LAST game. Meanwhile, the Pats will remain consistent with the short passing game and every once in a while a fairly deep pass in order to keep the D honest. I expect their O Line to protect Brady. So high scoring predictions seem likely.
The only area where the Pats may have an advantage ON THE FIELD is their physicality. Atlanta is more a finesse team while the Pats, atypical from past playoff wins play more smash mouth this year. Atlanta did bully Seattle around though so i expect their toughness to be better than many expect… which will be needed so the Pats run after the catch isn’t too effective.Both teams though were 1 and 2 in yards made after the catch. Sure handed tackling will be one of the keys on Sunday.
Both teams have been playing pretty close to mistake free ball…. which just might be the key as to who flinches first. On paper the script here points to having a great game. 35-32 Falcons… with Brady successfully making a 2 point conversion late in the game and gets the ball back with less than 30 seconds to go but falls short with no time outs to work with.
PS…. BTW… the U Conn Women play at 12;30pm on Sunday. I wonder what a 30 second spot costs at that time… 🙂
Heartbreaker for Atlanta, losing 27-23 with either a late winning drive by the Pats or a late failed drive by the Falcons. Hurts to predict that and I hope I am wrong.
ATL wins 34-31. Their offense scores their typical 30+ points and their defense continues to overachieve. While not a great pass rushing team, Brady’s limited mobility compared to other QB’s they have faced allows their D to put just enough pressure on to keep the Pats from scoring every time they touch the ball. Plus Goodell subtly influences the refs to call the game tighter for the Pats than they do for the Falcons to avoid having to shake Brady’s hand.
After such a divisive political season there is one thing that can bring our country together, an overwhelming antipathy towards Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Let’s Go Falcons!
Unfortunately, reality bites, Pats win 31-17 Ughhhh
Falcons win 35-21; hopefully providing this long suffering Jets fan living in Atlanta the additional pleasure of watching the Pats lose!
34-21 Pats!!!