Patriots Can Power To Victory At Superbowl 2017

As an ardent Arizona Cardinals supporter (don't laugh!!) I was disappointed personally with this NFL season. However, looking at it objectively, it has been a superb few months. It all boils down to the big one on Sunday, and Super Bowl LI has all the ingredients to be a classic. Tom Brady’s Patriots take on Matty ‘Ice’ Ryan’s Falcons and, barring Aaron Rodgers, those two have been the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season.

Brady and Belichick know how to win the Super Bowl.

However, in the Super Bowl it can often come down to which defence performs best, and the Patriots have the edge in that department. The Falcons defence is packed with Rookies, but they have come up with big plays and turnovers at vital times. However, the worry has to be that it is their first Super Bowl, whereas the majority of the Patriots have been there, done that and got the rings to prove it.

The Patriots defensive line has changed a lot since their last Super Bowl triumph in 2015, but they have lots of experience in the back field. The Falcons, who incidentally have never won a Super Bowl, have a young defence that lacks know-how, but is packed with potential. Eight of their starters are having either their first or second year in the League, and Tom Brady will be a tough nut for them to crack.

Quinn and Ryan have forged a good partnership.

The Patriots have conceded the fewest points in the NFL this season and, when you combine that with Brady’s laser like arm, it is a recipe for success. Matty ‘Ice’ Ryan has had a season to remember, and in Julio Jones he has a weapon capable of mass destruction. However, the wily Patriots defence will relish the chance to take the best offense in the NFL down a peg or two, and Bill Belichick teams usually thrive on such challenges.

Belichick and Brady have been a lethal partnership down through the years, and they have shown no signs of slowing down. They have combined for a total of 4 Super Bowl wins since their first in 2002, an astonishing achievement in a game where longevity is the exception rather than the rule. It would take a brave man to bet against them completing the five timer in 2017.
 
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks as defensive co-ordinator, but this will be his first trip to the big one as a head coach. Four-time Pro Bowler Matt Ryan has never played in the big one, but he hasn’t shown any signs of nerves so far. The Super Bowl is a different story though, and it will be interesting to see if Matty Ice lives up to his name.

So, the big question remains. Who wins it? Well, we would rather side with the tried and tested winning combination of Brady and Belichick. The Falcons offence could finally meet its match, and Brady could have a field day against a green defense. The bookies are offering even money on the Patriots -3 points, but we think it could be more comfortable for Brady and co. 11/4 on New England -9.5 from Paddy Power looks good to us, and that is our tip for Super Bowl 2017.

STEVOS’ SUPERBOWL TIP: NE PATRIOTS -9.5 @ 11/4 PADDY POWER