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Atlanta Falcons: Five Keys to Victory Sunday

By Wesley Wilcox

Dec 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) reacts with Tevin Coleman (26) and Patrick DiMarco (42) after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 41-13. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) reacts with Tevin Coleman (26) and Patrick DiMarco (42) after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 41-13. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Falcons are set to play the New England Patriots on Sunday, here are their keys to victory.

Let’s be honest, did anyone at the beginning of the season think the Atlanta Falcons would be talking about Super Bowl LI?

After laying waste to the Seattle Seahawks, and the red hot Green Bay Packers, the Falcons are staring at the one obstacle left that is standing between Atlanta bringing home that elusive second world championship.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are by no means a team to be taken lightly, but with the Dirty Birds firing on all cylinders heading into Sunday, it’s safe to say Falcons fans have a reason to be excited.

Here are the five factors that the Atlanta Falcons must succeed at on Sunday night in order to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history:

  1. Keep Matt Ryan Protected. If the Falcons want any chance at being the last team standing in a sea of confetti come Sunday’s end, Ryan has to be comfortable for sixty minutes. Throughout the playoffs Ryan has only been sacked a total of three times, and all of them came against the Seahawks defense. In just two games Ryan has thrown for 730 yards, and seven TD’s. If this offense is going to continue its trend of shredding defenses, the offensive line is going to have to be ready.
  1. Put pressure on Tom Brady. This is by far the most important aspect of the Falcons game plan Sunday. This is Tom Brady, a future Hall of Famer, and arguably the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL. Even after missing the first four games of the season Brady somehow worked his way into the MVP conversation, and the Super Bowl is Brady’s stage. The overall offensive matchup between the two teams is in favor of the Falcons, but Brady has the ability to manipulate the ball and get it to anyone he pleases, which makes it all that more crucial that this Falcons defense keeps Brady on the ground throughout the evening.3.
  2. Continue to facilitate the ball. The 2016-17 Atlanta Falcons offense is one of the best in NFL history for this sole reason. All season long opposing teams have tried to pin point how to shut down this high flying offense, but everyone has failed. Ryan and company are averaging 33.8 PPG, and 415.8 YPG, which is a direct result of the dynamic receiving and rushing core. Telvin Coleman and Devonta Freeman have become one of the leagues most dangerous running back combinations averaging 120.5 RYPG, and don’t even get me started on the unstoppable receiving core that averages 310 YPG, which features Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, and Taylor Gabriel to mention a few. If the Falcons continue to do what they do best, not even the New England Patriots will be able to stop them.
  1. Limit the mistakes. The New England Patriots have the advantage of knowing what it takes to win on Super Bowl Sunday. If the Atlanta Falcons want a chance at winning the Lombardi trophy this Sunday it is going to take a cohesive effort on both sides of the ball. This is the Patriots, arguably the best team the Falcons have lined up to play all year, and they do not need to give them any second chances.
  2. Matt Bryant. This is the Super Bowl after all, and kickers always seem to have a hand in the outcome of the game. Bryant, at 41 years old is finally getting the opportunity to play for a Super Bowl, and look for the man from Texas to make the most of it, especially in the fourth quarter.

Next: Falcon's Top Five Players

If all of the above happens the Falcons will be bring home their first championship to Atlanta. Sunday’s game will kick off at 6:30 on FOX.

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