Early Look at Super Bowl LI
Scott Morris | January 23, 2017
Two of the best offenses in the league will be on opposite sides of the field on February 5 when Super Bowl LI kicks off from NRG Stadium in Houston.
Both the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons won their conference championship games at home, as New England wore down the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta routed the Green Bay Packers.
New England will seek its fifth Super Bowl title while Atlanta will be looking for its first. The Patriots last played in the Super Bowl two season ago defeating Seattle. Atlanta has not played in the Super Bowl since 1998 when the Falcons lost to Denver.
New England opened as 3-point chalk while the over/under point total currently is at 58.
During the playoffs this season, the favorites are 8-2 straight up and against the spread. The OVER has cashed in 7 of the 10 playoff games.
The 58 points total on the opening line is the highest in the history of the Super Bowl. The previous highest points total was for Super Bowl XLIV at 57, when New Orleans played Indianapolis. The Saints won that game 31-17 with the UNDER cashing.
New England and Atlanta did not play head to head this season. The two met last in 2013 with New England winning 30-23 at Atlanta.
Atlanta was 2-2 in four games against AFC West opponents this season, while New England was 3-1 against 4 NFC West teams this season.
Super Bowl Tidbits
Atlanta is the second consecutive team from the NFC South to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Carolina lost to Denver in last season’s game.
The Patriots are 4-4 SU while 2-5-1 ATS in eight previous Super Bowls. As chalk, the Patriots are 0-4 ATS in the big game.
New England quarterback Tom Brady will play in his seventh Super Bowl. Currently Brady is 4-2 SU while 2-4 ATS.
Atlanta lost its lone appearance in the Super Bowl 34-19 failing to cover as 7.5-point dogs. The OVER of 52.5 cashed as 53 points were scored.
The NFC is 4-3 in the past 7 Super Bowls and the OVER has cashed in 4 of the past 6.
