Nuevo Inglaterra Patriots and Atlanta Falcons Face off in Super Bowl LI

The New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons will battle it out in Super Bowl LI on February 5th in Houston. This is shaping up to be one of the closest matchups in recent years, featuring two of the most talented teams in the NFL.

Many are familiar with the accomplishments of Tom Brady of the Patriots, who could become the first quarterback to win five championship rings. It is also worth highlighting the impressive performance of Matt Ryan this season, making him a serious contender for the Most Valuable Player award.

However, both Atlanta and New England have standout players beyond the quarterback position. These players may not have received the necessary attention, but their contributions have been crucial in earning their teams a spot in the Super Bowl.

Here are some of the players who could be essential in helping either team hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy at NRG Stadium.

Atlanta Falcons

Julio Jones and the Receivers

Since joining the team in 2011, the University of Alabama alumnus has become one of Matt Ryan's favorite targets. Jones has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times in his six seasons in the NFL, including this year, where he finished with 1,409 yards, the second-highest total in the league, and six touchdowns.

If the New England secondary focuses on stopping Jones, the Falcons still have other weapons in Mohamed Sanu, Justin Hardy, and Taylor Gabriel, who each had at least one reception of 15 yards during the playoffs.

Devonta Freeman

The Falcons' running back is one of their main offensive weapons. He rushed for 1,079 yards on 227 carries this season. If the Patriots' defense fails to neutralize him, Freeman can become a dangerous threat. This is evident in his 11 rushing touchdowns and his speed and ability to break tackles. He even had a 75-yard run, the second-longest of the season.

Vic Beasley

The defense has made significant progress, thanks in large part to the Atlanta linebacker. With 15.5 sacks, Beasley led the NFL in this category and became one of the main threats to opposing quarterbacks. If the Patriots' offensive line fails to contain him, Brady could be in trouble.

Matt Bryant

If the game comes down to a field goal, the Falcons can rely on Bryant's leg. The Texas native completed 34 of his 37 attempts, including a 59-yard field goal, the second-longest of the season.

New England Patriots

LeGarrette Blount

Blount is one of the main offensive contributors for the Patriots. He carried the ball 299 times for 1,161 yards and led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns. With these numbers, the running back has become a reliable option in short-yardage situations and in the red zone. This is a threat that the Patriots can take advantage of in critical plays.

Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, and Chris Hogan

Coach Bill Belichick has a keen eye for maximizing the abilities of his players. This is evidenced in the receiving corps, where Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, and Chris Hogan stand out.

Amendola is a reliable option for deep passes, although an injury in Week 12 kept him away from the field until the playoffs.

In the absence of Rob Gronkowski due to injury, Edelman has become the key man in the passing game. His 98 receptions, 1,106 yards, and three touchdowns are a testament to his quality.

Lastly, Hogan shined in the Conference Finals against the Pittsburgh Steelers with nine receptions, 180 yards, and two touchdowns.

With this group of receivers, Tom Brady has elusive targets that will be difficult to cover.

Malcolm Butler

The Patriots also have shine on the defensive side. The Patriots' cornerback is effective in man-to-man coverage, stealing four interceptions from opposing teams. He has a wide field of vision and the necessary speed to intercept a pass and score a touchdown. Matt Ryan must avoid him at all costs if he wants to keep the offense on the field.

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