Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons: 5 Defensive and Special Teams Musts for a Super Bowl Victory

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:04 p.m. ET

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Feb 3, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A view of the stadium before Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons face their toughest test of the 2016 season, and in order to best the vaunted New England Patriots, they must accomplish these five Defensive and Special Teams feats to emerge as Super Bowl LI champions.

Without a doubt, the New England Patriots will be the toughest out for these 2016 NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots can score points in bunches, and in many different ways. They also boast the highest rated scoring defense in the league.

The Atlanta Offense will be tested, and will have to pass that test with a historically high number of points scored to have a chance. That said, the Falcons’ Defense and Special Teams could be the difference.

The Offense gets all of the love and national attention, but football is a three-phase game. If the Atlanta Defense and Special Teams can accomplish the following, you can look for an Atlanta Super Bowl victory.

Sep 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle (21) jumps over the defense of the Atlanta Falcons to score a touchdown in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

3 First Half QB Sacks.

That’s right, three sacks in the 1st half. When New York beat Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, the Giants sacked him five times. Most coming in the first half. Atlanta was able to get to Rodgers and Wilson, respectively, in their first two playoff games, and both of those Quarterbacks are mobile and elusive. Brady most certainly gets the ball out quicker, but relies on pocket protection more than they did. If Atlanta’s Defense can get Brady to the ground 3 times in the 1st half, it won’t guarantee a win, but it is a very good sign.The first half component here is important to note. One of the things to expect from a veteran laden New England team is half time adjustments. Belichick and Co. do it better than anyone else in the business. It will be important for Atlanta to hit Brady hard, often, and early to set a tone, and to keep the young backs of the Falcons’ Defense from having to cover for more than 3 seconds. If Atlanta isn’t pressuring Brady early, it will be a long night on that side of the ball.Next: Step Two Oct 27, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons defense in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Plus-2 Turnover Differential.

In this writer’s mind, whatever is left of it, this might be the most flashing of the indicators for victory. For the 2016 regular season, the Falcons were (+11) in turnover differential. That is certainly a good stat, and a dramatic improvement over 2015. But it was dispersed over a 16 game season. In the 2016 post-season, thus far, Atlanta is (+4) in turnover differential. Basic math extrapolation shows that is a better average.You know what else happened in the post-season versus the regular season? That’s correct: Easy wins vs. heart thumping escapes, and lots of close wins and losses. Atlanta held a lead in all 16 regular season games, and won 11 of them. Of those 11 wins only six were won by two touchdowns or more. Of those six, Atlanta won the turnover battle in all of them. For some reason, that plus-2 turnover differential, with Atlanta’s Offense, is a big difference. Atlanta will need it against New England more than ever.Next: Step Three Dec 26, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Penalty flag on the field during the game between the Boston College Eagles and the Maryland Terrapins at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Fewer than 5 Penalties.In the playoffs, to this point, Atlanta only has 6 penalties (total) in 2 games combined. Naturally, some of those penalties came from the Offensive side of the ball. But generally speaking, Defense and Special Teams are caught playing cookie more than the Offense.The main concern here is personal fouls on the Quarterback. Of Atlanta’s five losses this season, four of them featured the Falcons getting called for (7) penalties or more. The exception was a 1-point loss to Kansas City where Matt Ryan threw a pick-6 and a pick-2. Penalties that negate big plays will kill Atlanta in this game.If Atlanta can get to Brady, and they can hit him, and they have to, will they be called for Personal Fouls, Hands to the Face, etc. ? If Eric Weems, for some odd reason, rips a kick-off return for 100 yards, will it be called back for holding? The Falcons absolutely cannot afford yellow laundry in this game. They have to play fast, physical, fresh, and clean. No dirty laundry for the Dirty Birds.Next: Step Four Atlanta Falcons punter Matt Bosher (5) punts the ball in their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 37-34 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports Field Position Behind the 50.It seems simplistic, and maybe it is, but some things are simple. You cannot give these New England Patriots a short field. You do that more than once, and you lose. Period.Matt Bosher is one of the best Punters in the NFL, and gets no attention. He, simply, is one of the best weapons Atlanta has on the roster. When Atlanta lost in Philadelphia, he got hurt, Matt Bryant had to punt, and it showed.In 2016-2017, Bosher has a net average of 41.6 yards/kick on 44 punts. Of those 44 kicks, only 21 were returned, and 21 of them rested inside the opponents 20 yard line.Meaning, in the few times that the Atlanta offense stalls, Bosher flips the field, and forces the other offense to go long distance for points. If Atlanta’s offense struggles in this game, Bosher could wind up being the most important player on the field.Next: Step Five Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) kicks the 52-yard game-winning field goal as Atlanta Falcons punter Matt Bosher (5) holds in their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 37-34 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports Matt Bryant is Perfect.Atlanta fans take this for granted, because he has been that good. When it matters, and Bryant’s number is called, he delivers. Coaches, teammates, and fans expect as much. He will have to kick short and long field goals, and make everything he sees.Atlanta has to score just about every time they get the ball, and that will include FGs. In fact, other than Matt Ryan and Atlanta’s interior defensive front, there will be no player on the roster with more pressure to be perfect than Matt Bryant.The 5-9, 201 pound, 41 year old veteran was 34 of 37 on FG attempts with a long of 59 yards this season. Bryant went 56 of 57 on extra point attempts. The ageless wonder that is Matt Bryant will be called upon in this game to bail out the Offense, if they falter and fall.If Matt Bryant is missing field goals in this game, most of Atlanta will start turning their TVs off, because they know what kind of game it will be. The Atlanta Falcons have to score on just about every possession. Matt Bryant needs to have a perfect day.Next: Final Thoughts . Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The Arch of HistoryMuch has been made, and rightfully so, of the Offenses in this game. Both teams will move the ball, sometimes at will, and will put pressure, and put force, on the other team’s defense. Football is a three-phase game, and the team that can use Defense and Special Teams to disrupt the other offense, and exert their own pressure, will win the day.Next: Atlanta Falcons: Over Hyped Stories of the Super BowlThe team that makes the fewest mistakes on the defensive side of the ball, which won’t be easy, will be the difference. That difference will decide whether New England cements their legacy as the best ever, or decide whether the Atlanta Falcons can Rise Up and change the arch of NFL history.More from ATL All DayAtlanta Falcons: Top Five Over Hyped Stories of Super Bowl Week2h agoAtlanta Falcons: 5 Offensive Musts for an Atlanta Super Bowl Win1 d agoAtlanta Falcons: Five Keys to Victory Sunday2d agoBreaking down the Atlanta Braves’ Spring Training Invites2d agoAtlanta Braves: Now is the Time to Trade Mike Foltynewicz3d agoThis article originally appeared on