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Winner: Patriots
Final Score: 34-27
First to score: whoever wins the coin toss.
Halftime Lead: Patriots
MVP: Thomas "the ****ing GOAT" Brady
Predictions (bold or not so much):
Dion Lewis goes for over 100 total yards from scrimmage
Beasley is neutralized.
Things to look for: Can the Patriots run the ball at all? Against Atlanta's smaller but fast defense, if they can successfully power run with Blount breaking tackles, it will make for a long day for the Falcons.
The tackling differential. Patriots are about the best tackling team in the NFL, and usually minimize YAC. Atlanta about the worst, allowing too much YAC (and running for extra yards. Does that hold to form or not?
How do the Falcons RBs when flexed out or otherwise receiving the ball. If they can get isolations on Patriots LBs, it will make for a long day for the Pats.
Single most important thing -- Pats OLine vs. Falcons DLine. Where the Patriots control the offensive line of scrimmage, they pretty much always win. Playoff losses to Giants, Jets and Ravens all have one thing in common -- opponent's DLine pressures Brady heavily, especially up the middle. Pats OLine has been rock solid this year. Atlanta's DLine good but inconsistent. Who wins that battle in the trenches?
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