BIG GAME 2017 | DEFENSE
Who Has the
Edge on D?
A
wards and accolades look great on an offense,
but defenses do, in fact, win championships.
Some of the most well-played Super
Bowls in recent memory have come
down to a defensive play — a key inter-
ception at the goal line or a crushing
quarterback sack during a critical
moment of the game.
The Atlanta Falcons and New England
Patriots have enjoyed historically great
performances from their offenses this
season and postseason. Which team’s
defense will come up with a big stop
when the bell rings?
The development of this defense is a
main reason why the Falcons are head-
ing to the Super Bowl for the second
time in franchise history.
According to the Falcons’ team site,
the team allowed opponents an average
of 28.9 points per game, with five oppo-
nents scoring more than 30 points
during the first half of the season. In the
second half, opponents scored just 21.9
points against the Falcons — an
improvement of a touchdown per game.
ATLANTA DEFENSE
NEW ENGLAND DEFENSE
The Atlanta Falcons have been praised
all NFL season for their offense that has
shattered records and performed at a
consistently elite clip.
Sometimes overlooked has been the
performance of the Falcons’ defense.
While it may have taken a couple of
months for the unit the gel, head coach
Dan Quinn has helped shape a stingy
defense led by a youthful group.
In the playoffs, the Falcons have
allowed their two opponents an average
of 20.5 points per game. Add in their 2.5
sacks per game and two turnovers, and
Atlanta’s defense has been making
game-changing plays against some
high-quality quarterbacks in Russell
Wilson and Aaron Rodgers.
While ranking middle of the pack in
total defense, the New England defen-
sive unit tackled its way to being the
league’s No. 1 scoring defense.
The Pats’ D has been even more
impressive late in the season, as it has
held its last nine opponents, regular sea-
son and postseason, to 13.3 points a
game.
The Patriots put the squeeze on the
Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers
in the playoffs on their road to the Super
Bowl. While it would be more impressive
to see them do it against one of the
league’s all-time greatest offenses in the
Falcons, it may not surprise many fans
to see another gritty effort by a solid
Patriots defense.
© FOTOLIA
2017 BIG GAME pg 11