Explosive Offenses in Super Bowl LI
It is no secret that the offenses that will be on the field at NRG Stadium on Sunday are explosive, and not just because of Tom Brady and Matt Ryan, but also because of the arsenal they possess. The outcome of Super Bowl LI may be determined by what these offenses accomplish, or by what the defenses are able to prevent.
The explosiveness of both teams' offenses is what led them to the playoffs and has brought them to Houston. One demonstration of this power is their ability to make big plays. Atlanta is the third team to have achieved the most big plays (both rushing and passing) this season, with 93, while the Patriots rank eighth with 85.
"What we do is credit to the coach. He wants us to play fast, be physical, and our players practice with that level of intensity, allowing them to shine, as they did during the season," commented Atlanta assistant head coach Raheem Morris.
Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones are the explosive experts for the Falcons, and the Patriots' defense knows it. A good news for Atlanta is that the opponent's most explosive receiver, Rob Gronkowski, will not be on the field. Regardless, they must still remain watchful of LeGarrette Blount on the ground and Chris Hogan in the air. The defenses face the challenge of preventing any of the other 22 players who had at least one big play this season from having the opportunity to stand out. How can they avoid it?
"Tackling, it is crucial that we tackle well," explained Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan. "It is something we take seriously and practice thoroughly every day in our training sessions. Our focus is not only on not leaving any open spaces, but also on reaching the ball carrier as quickly as possible and bringing him down, preventing further damage."
It sounds simple, but one must also consider that they are facing not only skilled receivers or running backs, but two quarterbacks who can annihilate their opponents if they find a weakness.
"One of the reasons we achieve big plays is the great quarterback we have, since Tom Brady is extraordinary at reading opposing defenses and taking advantage of what they give him. This is combined with very skilled players, who can catch and run fast, whether it be on short or long passes, behind the defenders," explained Patriots' wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea, who emphasized another equally important point for them.
"We know we have Brady on our side, but we are very proud of the blocking work we do. We spend a lot of time talking about the importance of doing it correctly. The receivers know they must block well, and it is one of the factors by which we measure their effectiveness," he added.
One of the factors that could define the Super Bowl in favor of the Patriots is the work their defense has done. Yes, they will face Matt Ryan, the quarterback who threw the most yards in the season, but they only allowed 59 explosive plays throughout the season, the fewest in the entire NFL. Will Ryan and his team be able to overcome this challenge next Sunday?