Elise Amendola / AP/Press Association Images
Elise Amendola / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
TOM BRADY WILL go down as one of the best, if not the best quarterback in the history of football but the Patriots have already shown they can win without him this season, going 3-1 during his suspension.
Could this New England team win without Belichick, Josh McDaniels et al? Probably not. And while it’s easy to think of the four Super Bowl rings he has won as a head coach of the Patriots, he’s also the guy who won 12 games (including a playoff victory) at the helm of the Cleveland Browns.
And he comes into this weekend with the best possible coaching scenario as his side are coming off a bad performance in a win. Not having McDaniels worrying about head coaching vacancies elsewhere is also useful.
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2. The most dynamic backfield
https://vine.co/v/53HUUJtILVl
Though the Patriots probably have the third best backfield in the playoffs — after Le’Veon Bell and the Falcons — they absolutely have the most versatile.
If they want to go power heavy, they can bring in LeGarrette Blount. If they want a check down or screen option on second/third and long they can call on James White. If they need a home run play on any single down, either through the air or on his feet, then they can send Dion Lewis into the huddle.
None of the remaining teams rank higher than 11th in defensive DVOA so, if New England can create multiple looks from the backfield, that might be key to victory.
3. How much fun would it be seeing Roger Goodell having to hand the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Tom Brady?
Revenge is a dish best served in Houston if you're Tom Brady. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Roger Goodell had his choice of games this weekend. After being in Atlanta last week it made sense for him to head to Gillette Stadium and the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.
He did not.
Indeed, Goodell has not set foot in New England since the ‘Deflategate’ scandal broke.
At this stage, it would appear that Brady was harshly treated in that whole affair so it must serve as motivation to pick up a fifth ring in two weekends time, just to have the NFL Commissioner hand him the trophy.
‘But what about my favourite team’ we hear you cry. Don’t worry, we outlined how all four Super Bowl contenders can lift the Vince Lombardi trophy over the last few days.
Here's how the Patriots can win Super Bowl LI
1. Bill Belichick & his coaching staff
TOM BRADY WILL go down as one of the best, if not the best quarterback in the history of football but the Patriots have already shown they can win without him this season, going 3-1 during his suspension.
Could this New England team win without Belichick, Josh McDaniels et al? Probably not. And while it’s easy to think of the four Super Bowl rings he has won as a head coach of the Patriots, he’s also the guy who won 12 games (including a playoff victory) at the helm of the Cleveland Browns.
And he comes into this weekend with the best possible coaching scenario as his side are coming off a bad performance in a win. Not having McDaniels worrying about head coaching vacancies elsewhere is also useful.
2. The most dynamic backfield
https://vine.co/v/53HUUJtILVl
Though the Patriots probably have the third best backfield in the playoffs — after Le’Veon Bell and the Falcons — they absolutely have the most versatile.
If they want to go power heavy, they can bring in LeGarrette Blount. If they want a check down or screen option on second/third and long they can call on James White. If they need a home run play on any single down, either through the air or on his feet, then they can send Dion Lewis into the huddle.
None of the remaining teams rank higher than 11th in defensive DVOA so, if New England can create multiple looks from the backfield, that might be key to victory.
3. How much fun would it be seeing Roger Goodell having to hand the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Tom Brady?
Roger Goodell had his choice of games this weekend. After being in Atlanta last week it made sense for him to head to Gillette Stadium and the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.
He did not.
Indeed, Goodell has not set foot in New England since the ‘Deflategate’ scandal broke.
At this stage, it would appear that Brady was harshly treated in that whole affair so it must serve as motivation to pick up a fifth ring in two weekends time, just to have the NFL Commissioner hand him the trophy.
‘But what about my favourite team’ we hear you cry. Don’t worry, we outlined how all four Super Bowl contenders can lift the Vince Lombardi trophy over the last few days.
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