PREMIUM
Super Bowl 5* BEST BET (8-2 last 10)
(NFL) New England vs. Atlanta,
02/05/2017 1:30 PM, Score: 34 - 28
Point Spread: -3.00 | -105.00 New England (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -3.00 | -105.00 New England (Away)
Result: Win
I like the Patriots to win based on their defense and I think the spread will go up, so I'm okay with laying -3. When I look up and down the Falcons' six-game win streak, I see they have beat up on some terrible defenses to pad their stats. The Patriots have allowed just 15.6 ppg the entire season. While Tom Brady gets all the credit, it's the defense that has been responsible for covering 15 of 18 games against inflated numbers.
Bill Belichick-coached teams with 2 weeks to prepare is tough to go against.
Specific areas of the Falcons offense, like their running back usage, will be addressed by Belichick and his staff. The Falcons secondary is very young with an average of 3 years of experience. I think Brady will be able to exploit them and take advantage.
Finally, there's Tom Brady, who should have enough protection against the Falcons' decent pass rush to make plays downfield. I specifically think the matchups over the middle will pay off for the Patriots, and they should find some success running the ball. Atlanta's run defense is not nearly as good as the numbers have made it look in their two playoff games. The Patriots will win Super Bowl 51 and they'll cover the 3 pt spread here too.
Team to score first?
Patriots (-130)
The Pats have scored first in 15 of their 18 games this year. Most teams defer when they win the coin toss but the Pats like to take the ball first and score on their 1st possession. With that said I look for ATL to go on defense first if they win the coin toss.
Odds on which team gets more sacks in the Super Bowl:
* New England: 4/5
Both of these teams had 34 sacks during the regular season, but Brady and the Pats like to throw short quick passes in which the Falcons wont have time to put pressure on Brady. Usually when he feels pressure he just throws the ball way. I expect the Pats defense to get more sacks in the game.
Will the Patriots convert a fourth-down attempt? (Westgate)
Yes +135
Bill Belichick isn't scared to be aggressive and the Pats like to sneak Tom Brady on 4th down and short. Also, if the Pats are losing late in the game, it will be 4 down territory for New England.
Bill Belichick-coached teams with 2 weeks to prepare is tough to go against.
Specific areas of the Falcons offense, like their running back usage, will be addressed by Belichick and his staff. The Falcons secondary is very young with an average of 3 years of experience. I think Brady will be able to exploit them and take advantage.
Finally, there's Tom Brady, who should have enough protection against the Falcons' decent pass rush to make plays downfield. I specifically think the matchups over the middle will pay off for the Patriots, and they should find some success running the ball. Atlanta's run defense is not nearly as good as the numbers have made it look in their two playoff games. The Patriots will win Super Bowl 51 and they'll cover the 3 pt spread here too.
Team to score first?
Patriots (-130)
The Pats have scored first in 15 of their 18 games this year. Most teams defer when they win the coin toss but the Pats like to take the ball first and score on their 1st possession. With that said I look for ATL to go on defense first if they win the coin toss.
Odds on which team gets more sacks in the Super Bowl:
* New England: 4/5
Both of these teams had 34 sacks during the regular season, but Brady and the Pats like to throw short quick passes in which the Falcons wont have time to put pressure on Brady. Usually when he feels pressure he just throws the ball way. I expect the Pats defense to get more sacks in the game.
Will the Patriots convert a fourth-down attempt? (Westgate)
Yes +135
Bill Belichick isn't scared to be aggressive and the Pats like to sneak Tom Brady on 4th down and short. Also, if the Pats are losing late in the game, it will be 4 down territory for New England.
