One dangerous duo

Atlanta’s Matt Ryan and Julio Jones have a chance to connect again as the latest great Super Bowl tandem

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan and receiver Julio Jones are the most dangerous combination in the NFL.

When the Falcons play New England in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium, Ryan and Jones will have a chance to reach that pantheon of the greatest twosomes in Super Bowl history.

Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann, Tom Brady and Randy Moss, Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison and Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin — to name a few.

Jones has been playing with toe and foot injuries that cost him two games. Imagine what Jones could have done to Green Bay in the NFC championship game if he had been healthy.

Jones caught two of Ryan’s four touchdown passes in the 4421 victory over the Packers that secured the Falcons their second Super Bowl appearance.

Jones, who finished with nine catches for 190 yards, made outstanding plays on both touchdowns, showing no signs of injuries that kept him out of practice.

Jones did a terrific toe dance in the end zone to stay in bounds on a 5-yard touchdown. He broke two tackles and outran the Packers down the sideline on a 73yard touchdown reception.

‘He’s a warrior’

Imagine what Jones is capable of doing against the Patriots if he’s healthy enough to practice this week.

“He’s a warrior,” Ryan said last week about his favorite receiver. “It’s just special what he’s capable of doing.”

Jones (6-3, 220) sat out the two games this season but caught 83 passes for 1,409 yards and six touchdowns. His 17-yard average per catch was the best in the NFL.

In each of the last four seasons, Jones has averaged more than 100 yards a game.

In 2015, when he was healthy for 16 games, Jones had 136 receptions for 1,871 yards and eight touchdowns.

“He’s a beast, an absolute stud,” Ryan said. “I’ve been so lucky to play with him as long as I have.”

Ryan, the third overall pick in 2008, and Jones, sixth overall in 2011 after the Falcons traded up, have spent so much time together they can communicate without speaking.

Ryan (6-4, 215) is having the best season of his nine-year career. The Falcons led the NFL in scoring, and they’re playing a New England defense that allowed the fewest points.

Ryan finished regular season with 4,944 yards, a 69.9 completion percentage, 38 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a leaguebest 117.1 rating.

In playoff victories over Seattle and Green Bay, he had seven touchdown passes and no inter- ceptions.

Ryan is expected to win the NFL Most Valuable Player Award that will be announced Saturday night during the NFL Honors Show that will be televised.

“He’s a great player, (an) MVP,” Jones said. “He’s a great leader on the team, and he’s my brother.”

Ryan and the Atlanta offense are so outstanding they didn’t skip a beat in the two games he missed. They were fortunate to play Los Angeles and San Francisco, two of the league’s worst teams.

The Falcons defeated the Rams 42-14 and 49ers 41-13.

Ryan set an NFL record this season by throwing touchdown passes to 13 receivers.

The Falcons like to get off to fast starts and put defenses on their heels rather than their toes.

In the first quarter this season, Ryan completed 75.8 percent for 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns without an interception. His rating was 125.2.

Ryan excels throwing down the field.

On passes of 31 or more yards, Ryan was 54-of-80 (67.5 percent) for 733 yards, 11 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 125.7 rating.

It’s interesting to note that a fast Atlanta offense should be even faster on the artificial surface at NRG Stadium.

Jones was outstanding on artificial surface, catching 54 passes for 968 yards (17.9 average) and four touchdowns. He had 17 catches of 20-plus yards.

Playing great despite pain

Despite playing hurt down the stretch, Jones had 31 plays of 20 or more yards.

“He never ceases to surprise us because he makes the extraordinary plays seem ordinary,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said about Jones. “And that’s not a very typical thing to do. He’s a heck of a competitor.”

Jones’ performance in the NFC championship game impressed his teammates, fans and coaches.

“For sure, he was battling through it, and (in) typical Julio fashion, (he) came through in the biggest way,” Quinn said. “I thought he played awesome, was huge for us in critical situations and showed how great a player he is.”

With two weeks to get healthy, Jones, with help from Ryan, of course, may have a chance to become part of Super Bowl history.