New England Patriots

New England Patriots: 3 Offensive Players to Watch in Super Bowl 51

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:39 p.m. ET

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Jan 30, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during Super Bowl LI Opening Night at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots will be playing the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51. Who are three offensive players to watch for the Patriots?

It has been a great season for the New England Patriots. As the best team in the AFC this season, the Patriots were able to have home-field advantage in the AFC Playoffs. Easy wins against the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers have resulted in the Patriots being back in the Super Bowl this season.

While the Patriots have been balanced this season, they are still led by one of the best offenses in the NFL. With a high total set in Las Vegas, we are expecting to see both offenses on display in the Super Bowl.

For the Patriots, their offense has been great all season. Despite Tom Brady being suspended for the first four games of the season, the Patriots haven’t missed a beat this season. With Brady suspended, the Patriots were able to rediscover their rushing attack. Even when Brady returned, the Patriots still stayed committed to being balanced on the offensive side of the ball.

That balance on the offensive side of the ball helped Brady return from his suspension and have one of the best seasons of his career. After his suspension, Brady went on to set the NFL record for having the best touchdown to interception ratio.

Now, the Patriots’ offense will be tasked with trying to keep up with the high-powered Falcons offense. If they Patriots are going win Super Bowl 51, these three players on offensive must be great.

Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) runs against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Hogan

One player that has really broken out in the playoff is wide receiver Chris Hogan. After being somewhat of an unknown player in Buffalo, Hogan has emerged into a really good wide receiver in New England.

After not being heavily involved in the offense during the regular season, Hogan has played a big role in the postseason. In the regular season, Hogan totaled 38 receptions, 680 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns. While Hogan was a good deep threat in the regular season, he has done that and more in the postseason.

Against the Houston Texans, Hogan was able to have a very nice game against their talented defense. In the win, Hogan totaled four receptions and 95 receiving yards. If not for a thigh injury in the game, Hogan likely would have been able to do even more damage.

While the game against the Texans was a good one, the AFC Championship was even better for Hogan. In the win against the Steelers, Hogan had one of the best games of his career, as he totaled nine catches, 180 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns. In the playoffs, Hogan as emerged as the second option in the passing offense for Brady. Against a suspect Falcons defense, expect to see Hogan attempt to stretch the field multiple times.

Julian Edelman

It is very rare when the No.1 wide receiver on a team is underrated. However, Julian Edelman doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Possibly because of his size and that he lines up in the slot, Edelman gets overlooked at times.

Since the injury to Rob Gronkowski, Edelman has been the primary target for Brady in the passing offense. In the playoffs, Edelman has been playing outstanding for the Patriots in his expanded role.

Against the Texans, Edelman totaled eight receptions, 110 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. In the AFC Championship, Edelman continued to play well by totaling eight receptions and 137 receiving yards.

As a veteran on the Patriots now, Edelman will be leading a somewhat inexperienced receiver corps into the Super Bowl. As a target machine, Brady will likely throw in Edelman’s direction at least 10 times against the Falcons. On crucial third downs and big plays in the game, Edelman is without a doubt the go-to guy for the Patriots.

Edelman has been a solid postseason player for the Patriots, and they will be counting on him heavily against the Falcons. With over 1,000 receiving yards, and just under 100 receptions in the regular season, Edelman is proving to be a great wide receiver. In Super Bowl 51, he will be able to prove that to everyone.

Tom Brady

The most important player on offense for the Patriots is obviously their quarterback. Whether or not Tom Brady will ever admit it, he has been playing like he was on a revenge tour. Everyone would love to see Roger Goodell have to hand him the trophy after winning Super Bowl 51.

Despite the great regular season, Brady did struggle against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. In the Patriots’ win, Brady totaled 287 passing yards with two touchdown passes and two interceptions. The two interceptions matched Brady’s total from the entire regular season. One of the reasons why Brady struggled was the interior pressure the Texans were able to generate. Even though the Texans’ offense is dreadful, their defense proved to be a challenge for Brady and the Patriots.

In the following game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Brady was near perfect. In the win, Brady totaled 384 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. The Steelers weren’t able to bother Brady at all, as his offensive line was exceptional in the win. The Falcons’ defense has been playing a bit better of late. However, Brady will be poised for a big game and could be leaving Houston with a Super Bowl MVP award.