The Atlanta Falcons have become America's angel in recent weeks following their triumphant run through the regular season and first two rounds of the playoffs- and for good reason. The Falcons have led the NFL in offense for the entire year. They run their prolific attack with a daring, coming-of-age quarterback, Matt Ryan. He and standout receiver Julio Jones have devoured opposing defenses on their glorious run towards the Lombardi Trophy. There's just one problem: They stand no chance of hoisting it.
The Falcons are a wonderful, feel-good story for the American people to stand behind against the evil empire that is Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's Patriots. But, I'm sorry to say, the empire shall stand atop the sports world once more.
The Patriots have led the league in defense by a wide margin this year, and while offense may be the sexy, eye grab stat, defense wins championships. Forty-four of the 50 Super Bowl winning teams have been ranked top ten in the league in defense. On offense, however, 41 of the 50 have ranked top ten in the league. While this is not a large differential, it does bring about one pattern that can not be ignored: Super Bowl winning teams are ranked top ten on both sides of the ball. While the Falcons are first in the league offensively, they are an abysmal twenty-third defensively. The Patriots, on the other hand, are third on offense in addition to being first on defense. This makes them the much more well-rounded team, headed up by arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time: Tom Brady.
Then there is the subject of pedigree. Brady and Belichick have been to six Super Bowls together and won four. Ryan and Quinn have been to none. While some believe experience doesn't matter as much as others, none can argue that the football genius, Bill Belichick, is not easily defeated. Ryan and Quinn and Jones and the entire state of Georgia may be flying high and believing in themselves after this historic ride, but Belichick and Brady have "been there done that," and they want nothing more than to do it again. And they will. Brady doesn't have many shots left, and he's not going to waste this opportunity. The Patriots will flatten the Falcons. Vegas knows it, Brady knows it, and you know it.
