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.
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.
New England Patriots 31, Atlanta Falcons 27
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.
Atlanta Falcons 27, New England Patriots 24
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.
New England Patriots 31, Atlanta Falcons 26
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.
New England Patriots 24, Atlanta Falcons 21
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.
Atlanta Falcons 31, New England Patriots 27
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.
New England Patriots 35, Atlanta Falcons 31
Why the Patriots will win: Ultimately, Tom Brady will have the ball last.
MVP: Tom Brady
Bold prediction: Austin Hooper has three TDs.
New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28
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.
Atlanta Falcons 34, New England Patriots 27
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.
New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 24
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.
New England Patriots 38, Atlanta Falcons 27
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.
Atlanta Falcons 34, New England Patriots 30
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.
New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 21
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.
Atlanta Falcons 30, New England Patriots 26
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.
Atlanta Falcons 34, New England Patriots 30
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.
New England Patriots 35, Atlanta Falcons 31
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.
Atlanta Falcons 38, New England Patriots 35
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.
New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28
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.
Atlanta Falcons 35, New England Patriots 30
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.
New England Patriots 30, Atlanta Falcons 24
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.
New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 20
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.
