New England Patriots vs Atlanta Falcons: 5 Matchups to Watch in Super Bowl 51
By Hal Bent
Jabaal Sheard, Chris Long, Trey Flowers, and Rob Ninkovich vs Jake Matthews and Ryan Schraeder
The Atlanta offense has improved significantly in 2016 as offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has maximized the talents of quarterback Matt Ryan and his supporting cast. A big part of the improvement has been the offensive line. A solid interior line is book-ended by tackles Jake Matthews on the left side and Ryan Schraeder on the right.
Ryan was actually sacked nine more times in 2016 than 2015 but the addition of Alex Mack at center has made the offensive line better. Where Atlanta has struggled is with the tackles. Jake Matthews is still inconsistent and struggles with speed rushers. He will have to face a plethora of pass rushers as New England rotates through Jabaal Sheard, Chris Long, Trey Flowers and Rob Ninkovich.
The New England quartet of outside pass rushers combined for 20 sacks in 2016 as the rotation has kept the group fresh and allowed a strong pass rush to emerge late in games. Flowers has often kicked inside on passing downs but is an excellent technician with strong pass rush skills and strength on the edge against the run.
Long has a strong motor and the limited snaps have made him a force when the team has a lead and has allowed the defense to keep from giving up too many cheap garbage-time touchdowns. Jabaal Sheard has had an up-and-down season including being benched for a game, but he still has had his share of pressures and sacks. With the steady veteran Rob Ninkovich, the New England pass rush will eventually get to the quarterback.
More from Musket Fire
- Patriots get steal of the night with perfect first round pick
- What trading Mac Jones during the draft can do for the Patriots
- Best and worst draft picks during the Bill Belichick era
- Early round Patriots draft picks you’ll hate now, love later
- Musket Fire Roundup: Our own final predictions for round 1
If New England can get just a bit of pressure on Matt Ryan, they can throw the Atlanta offense out of rhythm. With New England seeming to have a favorable matchup on the offensive side of the ball, they may not need a perfect game on the defensive side. A few timely pressures could do just enough to deliver a fifth Super Bowl title to Foxboro.