Why the Falcons will win
Atlanta’s young defence could be the difference
ATLANTA — The popular thinking is the Atlanta Falcons’ only path to their first Super Bowl championship is to win a highscoring game against New England.
After all, big offence is the Falcons’ big weapon.
The best reason to think Atlanta can beat Tom Brady and the Patriots, however, may be the Falcons’ improved defence.
Atlanta’s defence was on an upswing even before holding a shocking 31-0 third-quarter lead over Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the 44-21 NFC championship game win.
Atlanta started four rookies and four second-year players on defence against the Packers. The unit played with the toughness and speed of the celebrated Seattle defence Dan Quinn co-ordinated before becoming Atlanta’s coach two years ago.
The greybeard of Atlanta’s defence — 36-year-old pass-rush specialist Dwight Freeney — knows many observers thought the defence was too young. The lacklustre overall statistics, including a No. 27 ranking in scoring defence, disguise the recent improvement that made Freeney proud.
“We went through issues and problems early in the year,” Freeney said. “It was expected when you have three or four guys that have never played in the NFL before. We had to catch these boys up, and the offence was rolling while these guys were catching up and understanding what they need to do. Now those boys are playing.”
Atlanta allowed fewer than 20 points in four of its last six regular-season games. The Patriots noticed the turnaround. New England offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels said the “length at corner, the aggressive strong safety and the speed on defence in general” all remind him of the Seattle defence the Patriots faced in the Super Bowl two years ago.
McDaniels said the Falcons “all run to the ball as well as any team that we’re going to play. It doesn’t matter what happens on the play, you’re going to have 11 guys chasing the guy with the ball. That’s impressive. That’s the sign of a team that is very well coached. There’s no question that they are. They hit and tackle very well.” And the young guys have taken the lead. Rookie defensive back Brian Poole led the Falcons with seven tackles and two quarterback hurries in the win over Green Bay. Two more rookies, linebacker Deion Jones and safety Keanu Neal, each had six tackles.
Jones and Neal each had more than 100 tackles this season to lead the team.
The fourth rookie starter, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, could play a key role on Sunday against New England tight end Martellus Bennett.
Vic Beasley, a second-year linebacker, led the NFL with 15 1/2 sacks — production that finally solved the Falcons’ long-term pass-rush woes.
Brady called Beasley’s season “incredible” for a second-year player and said Freeney “is one of the greatest pass rushers I’ve ever played against. He’s one of the best defensive players that I’ve ever played against.
“I have a lot of respect for them, have a lot of respect for their defence,” Brady added. “They do a lot of things very well, which is why they’re in this game.”
Still, the Falcons’ strength is an offence that hasn’t been held under 30 points since a 29-28 loss to Kansas City on Dec. 4.
Atlanta led the NFL in scoring and is the first team to advance to the Super Bowl by scoring at least 30 points in each of its last six games — all wins.
Prediction: Falcons 24, Patriots 20