News Tribune picks: Super Bowl 51

Read how our sports writers envision the outcome of today's big game

Thousands of fans take in the NFL Experience the night before the Super Bowl on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, in Houston. (Curtis Compton /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Thousands of fans take in the NFL Experience the night before the Super Bowl on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, in Houston. (Curtis Compton /Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

They're evenly split: Two for New England and two for Atlanta. That's the way our four News Tribune sports prophets have the outcome of Super Bowl 51 pegged.

Here's the reasoning from each of our alleged experts:

 

Two weeks of indecision

by Tom Rackers

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JOHN SYKES JR.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JOHN SYKES JR. - Andrew Collins and Meghan Collins are co-chairs of the Dinner on the Grounds event for Our House, set for the Terry House grounds on May 3.

After the conference championship games two weeks ago, I figured the New England Patriots would be a 3-point favorite today against the Atlanta Falcons.

The line did indeed open with the Patriots favored by a field goal. And for the next 13 days, it's been 3. It appears my friends in the desert are stuck. 

And so am I.

Most of the time, I have opinions about important things such as who will win the Super Bowl. But for two weeks, nothing.

No Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will be extra inspired to be handed the Lombardi Trophy from commissioner Roger Goodell, so he's going to play great. No Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and the second "Greatest Show on Turf" will match the first one by winning the Super Bowl.

And then there's the defenses.

The Patriots finished No. 1 in the NFL. But look at who they played, it was not exactly a stellar group of opponents they faced this season. The Falcons' defense was downright terrible for much of the season, but has played better since the start of December.

That 3 continues to stick with me. 

That's about the only thing I do understand.

Tom predicts: NEW ENGLAND 27, ATLANTA 24

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Tom Brady gets his revenge

by Greg Jackson

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AP

Chicago Blackhawks' Marcus Kruger (16), left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the third period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey playoffs Western Conference semifinal against the Detroit Red Wings in Chicago, Wednesday, May 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

The Most Valuable Player award may go to Matt Ryan, but this is the season of Tom Brady.

Heading into his seventh Super Bowl, Tom Brady compiled statistics this season that should be impossible for a 39-year-old quarterback to accomplish. In just 12 regular-season games - because he was suspended for the first four as punishment for "Deflategate" - Brady threw 28 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. It makes one wonder what he could have done with those four extra games.

Brady has thrown two picks during the playoffs, but the New England Patriots were able to cruise into this year's Super Bowl. It's not the same powerhouse Patriots team we've seen in the past, but New England was still easily the best team in the AFC.

What makes this pick easier is having watched the Falcons lose to the Chiefs. Granted, Atlanta has been dominant and undefeated since that 29-28 loss Dec. 4, but it's easy to see the Falcons replicate a loss like that to the Patriots.

Matt Ryan will get his 300 yards passing and three touchdowns, but that's all the Falcons will get. New England will jump out to an early lead, go through a dry spell, and then finish strong by sealing the win with a LeGarrette Blount rushing touchdown.

Greg forecasts: NEW ENGLAND 34, ATLANTA 24 

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Falcons will do more dancing

by Jason Strickland

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AP

Workers walk Friday through the rubble of the garment factory building that collapsed last week outside Dhaka, Bangladesh, killing hundreds of people.

Everything points toward the Patriots winning tonight. They are favored by three points, more money is being bet on them than the Falcons, they've won four Super Bowls and they still have the best quarterback in the game. But I can't find it in me to pick them to win.

The way the Falcons halted the speeding train that was Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game was impressive.

The Falcons are the Falcons, so seeing them make it this far has been a surprise. The way they've done it is the real kicker. Atlanta has left no doubt this postseason, blowing out the Seahawks and Packers.

New England has strolled through the playoffs as well, easily beating the Texans despite not playing its best and dominating the Steelers in the second half.

The Patriots haven't shocked anyone by being here, but the Falcons have somewhat. Do they have one more surprise saved for tonight? They do.

Tom Brady will give the Patriots a 27-26 lead with a touchdown pass late in the game, but will leave enough time for Atlanta. Matt Ryan will lead the Falcons into field-goal range for Matt Bryant's game-winner.

Get ready to witness more awkward, but entertaining, dancing from Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

Jason foresees: ATLANTA 29, NEW ENGLAND 27

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It's Matt Ryan's time to shine

by Andrew Hodgson

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This week is Bear Awareness Week at the Little Rock Zoo through Saturday.

I've wavered on this one for the past two weeks, but this just seems like it is Matt Ryan's time to be that next quarterback to get his signature Super Bowl win.

Tom Brady will likely put up some good numbers throwing to New England's cast of no-names turned superstar wide receivers, but the Patriots also have yet to face a pass rusher playing at the level Vic Beasley is. Beasley, I think, ends up as the difference maker.

With all the talk about Ryan, DeVonta Freeman and Julio Jones - rightfully so I might add - it was the pass rush of the New York Giants that twice got Brady off his game and upset the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Beasley is good enough to give Brady those headaches.

With the win, Dwight Freeney retires on top and Matt Schaub goes down in history as the latest former starting quarterback no one remembered getting a ring, and in Houston of all places.

Andrew prognosticates: ATLANTA 27, NEW ENGLAND 24

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