In four career games against the Atlanta Falcons, New England quarterback Tom Brady is undefeated.
Brady, who already has four Super Bowl rings with the Patriots, will face the Falcons for the first time since Week 4 of the 2013 season at the 2017 Super Bowl Feb. 5 in Houston.
Yes, he hasn’t faced THIS Atlanta defense, but before you dismiss history just ponder these:
Yard man
Credit: WILFORD HAREWOOD
Credit: WILFORD HAREWOOD
Tom Brady’s 9.11 career yards per attempt against Atlanta is his best average against ANY team.
Brady’s production against the Falcons
2001: 10-of-24 passing for 250 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs
2005: 28-of-31 passing for 350 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
2009: 10-of-26 passing for 277 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs
2013: 23-of-30 passing for 316 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
Top offense vs. top defense
Credit: Elise Amendola
Credit: Elise Amendola
The Falcons were the highest-scoring team in the regular season. The Patriots’ defense allowed the fewest points in the league. In four of the last five Super Bowls to feature the top scoring offense against the top defense ... defense won. The last Super Bowl to have the top scoring offense and top defense was in 2014, when the Seattle Seahawks -- led by then-defensive coordinator Dan Quinn -- crushed the Broncos, 43-8.
Dan Quinn vs. Tom Brady
Credit: Rob Carr
Credit: Rob Carr
Speaking of Dan Quinn in Super Bowls, Atlanta’s head coach has faced Tom Brady in a Super Bowl. Quinn was the defensive coordinator for Seattle when Brady completed 37 of 50 passes for 328 yards and 4 touchdowns. Brady was picked off twice by the Seahawks’ defense. Brady led the Patriots to the largest fourth quarter comeback in Super Bowl history (10 points). The game was won by New England, 28-24, with a 1-yard interception in the end zone.
Tom Terrific
Credit: Matt Slocum
Credit: Matt Slocum
Quarterback Tom Brady is playing in his seventh Super Bowl and aiming for an NFL best fifth title. New England’s 24 playoff wins with Brady as the starter are more than that of 25 NFL franchises, including the Falcons.
Trick plays
The Patriots’ offense isn’t above trying trickery in big games.
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