*** NEW ENGLAND -3 vs ATLANTA
Let me start this off by saying that since before this season started, I thought that if the Patriots were healthy at the right time, they would win it all this year. I have also thought, throughout this whole year, that they have looked like the best team. I've thought they really have had the top defense after their first few games. This team shut out a play-off team 27-0, while having a third-string, rookie QB start for them. I know the Texans aren't a strong play-off team, but WOW! That just shows you how good this team around Tom Brady really is. Just look at how good they were early last season. When they were healthy, they were phenomenal, and then they started to have players drop like flies. By the time they played Denver in the play-offs, their offensive line was depleted, and they had to face that Broncos rush. Well, this year they are fully healthy, with the exception of Gronk, and I think Brady has shown he doesn't really need him. Martelus Bennett is a solid TE, and they have several other weapons. Edleman is a star, in my opinion, and I think having Dion lewis healthy, makes their offense super dangerous. All I am hearing is how good Atlanta's offense is, but they don't realize how unstoppable Brady and co. are. They have a very versatile running game, which consists of Blount, who will pierce holes in your D line, and they have speedy Lewis, and White, who can make big plays catching the ball. Their offensive line has been stellar, as well, protecting the middle, which is what Brady needs. Now, Atlanta's RB's are pretty deadly, and all I have been hearing is that NE's LB's can't cover too good. I will expect them to DO THEIR JOBS Sunday, and for the Pats's No. 2 ranked rushing defense to contain these backs and not let them do too much. It seems like Belichick always takes something away that offenses do, and it's sometimes taking a player completely out of the game. Well, good luck stopping Julio, cause he is a physical freak, but I have seen teams contain him this year and win. I wouldn't be surprised to see Belichick let him have no more than about 7-10 catches for about 10 yards per catch, and nothing else. They will probably completely shut down either Sanu or Gabriel.
On to the Falcon defense, I will say they can stop the run pretty well, but teams that have beat them, mostly exploit their secondary. That shouldn't surprise anyone when they are ranked 28th in the league. I honestly think Atlanta gives up too many points to be a real champion. They can rush the passer, but it's mostly blitzes, and Brady gets rid of the ball in like 2 seconds. Not to mention, that the Pats can run the football and neutralize that rush. Its a lot easier to look like a pass rushing machine when you play a bad offensive line like Seattle's was, and a Green Bay offense, that doesn't have any RB to hand off to, or split out, really. Atlanta's secondary is young and vulnerable, and while I think Brady respects them to the fullest, he knows that he's going to score points. Belichick could be thinking that he needs to score 38-40 to win the game, so watch out for a surprise onside kick. Opening kick-off, maybe? Sounds crazy, but Atlanta's offense is crazy good, but if you look at what they did vs real stingy D's, like the Pats, this year, they did't fair all that well. They put up 23 vs the Broncos, who started a raw rookie QB in that game. Just think if Denver had a good QB playing that game, and they could have actually moved the ball. Then they got held to just 15 by Philly, in a game they lost. I know that was the regular season, and that the Falcons are playing real good ball right now, but this Patriots defense is pretty stout. I think Malcolm Butler is a good CB, and could prove himself in this game. I'd also watch out for Julio Jones choking with some dropped balls, because I've seen him do it before. We've all seen Matt Ryan choke, but I think he is as focused as ever. All those people that said NE's D was overrated, right before the AFC championship, have been debunked. They shut down one of the league's best offenses, and hottest teams. Bell did get knocked out, but he only had 3 YPC beforehand, and they did not let Brown beat them. That's a lot easier said than done, too.
I also seem to stick with the theory of a good defense almost always beats a good offense. There's a reason why the No.1 scoring defense has beat the No.1 scoring offense in 4 out of 5 Superbowls. Let's talk about that one time the defense lost. That's because that '89 49ers team had the best offense, and also had the No.3 scoring defense, and Denver had a shitty offense. I always take balance over anything, because it's real important, and the Pats are more balanced, by beating their opponents by an average of 12 PPG, while Atlanta is only by 8 PPG, and also giving up a whopping 25PPG on defense, and even 20 PPG in the playoffs. I also am very aware that the league was weak this year, but the Pats dominated mostly everyone they played. The AFC was the better conference, clearly, in my opinion, and I thought the NFC was just shit. Dan Quinn and Kyle Shanahan have done great jobs this year, but now they have to go against the big boys, and they may just be out matched. I have a great prop bet for Dion Lewis' receptions at OVER 2.5 $$$, and OVER 24.5 receiving yards for him, as well. I think he could be a big factor, and make some plays, baby. I'll predict he has at least 4-5 catches for at least 40-50 yards receiving. I also have a teaser that I don't think will lose 7PT 2T Teaser - Patriots +4, OVER 51 points. ENJOY YA'LL!
PREDICTED SCORE : PATRIOTS 34 FALCONS 23
