Super Bowl: Five key clashes that will decide whether New England Patriots or Atlanta Falcons are victorious in Houston


NEW ENGLAND take on Atlanta for the biggest prize in American football this weekend in the Super Bowl.

Ahead of their clash in Houston, SunSport looks at five key areas where the game will be won or lost.

Tom Brady and his Patriots thrashed the Pittsburgh Steelers to reach this weekend's Super Bowl
Tom Brady and his Patriots thrashed the Pittsburgh Steelers to reach this weekend’s Super Bowl
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QUARTERBACK

THIS should be a high-scoring Super Bowl, which means there will be pressure on both quarterbacks to deliver.

Matt Ryan has hardly put a foot wrong in leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl, and he was devastating against the Green Bay Packers.

Tom Brady, though, just knows how to get it done, especially in the Super Bowl. With the emergence of Chris Hogan, he has enough targets to move the ball freely, even without top target Rob Gronkowski.

Matt Ryan has been in MVP form in leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl
Matt Ryan has been in MVP form in leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl
EPA

JULIO JONES vs MALCOLM BUTLER

QUITE simply the best wide receiver in the league. While the spotlight has been on the likes of Odell Beckham Jr and Antonio Brown this season, Julio Jones has gone about his business and shredded defences. He is tall, fast, strong and has great hands. There is nothing that Julio can't do, he is the most complete receiver there is.

And the job of marshalling him goes to Malcolm Butler, the man who became a celebrity overnight in his last Super Bowl two years ago with his last-gasp goal-line interception.

Butler has grown into a key part of this defence, but he'll likely need plenty of help from his safeties to contain Jones on Sunday.

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones speaks to reporters ahead of the Super Bowl
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones speaks to reporters ahead of the Super Bowl
AP:Associated Press

RUNNING GAME

IN Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, Atlanta have probably the best running back duo in the league. Both can pick their spot and accelerate away for huge rushing gains, and they can also be deadly weapons in the passing game, giving Ryan a target out of the backfield.

But the Patriots aren't exactly lacking in this department either. LeGarrette Blount led the league in rushing touchdowns this season with 18 thanks to his power running game.

New England also have the elusive Dion Lewis, who missed the first half of the season injured but began to show why he is rated so highly in Foxborough. There's also James White, who can catch out of the backfield as well as anyone.

Devonta Freeman can give the Falcons the edge in the rushing game and contribute in passing too
Devonta Freeman can give the Falcons the edge in the rushing game and contribute in passing too
EPA

FALCONS PASS RUSH

THE Falcons defence wasn't exactly one of the best during the regular-season, but there were some encouraging signs from the young unit in the playoffs.

In the NFC Championship Game, their pass rush gave Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers all he could handle.

Atlanta will need them once again to put pressure on Brady, and not let the legendary quarterback hold onto the ball otherwise he'll pick them apart.

Brady can cement his legacy as the greatest ever with a fifth Super Bowl ring
Brady can cement his legacy as the greatest ever with a fifth Super Bowl ring
EPA

MARTELLUS BENNETT vs FALCONS DEFENCE

BRADY loves throwing to tight ends and, in the absence of Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett will be key.

Bennett has proved to be one of the best free agency signings this season, filling in for Gronk in the passing game and giving Brady his big target in the middle of the field.

Atlanta's linebackers must work out a way to stop Bennett being a factor.

Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett dances with the cheerleaders after their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers
Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett dances with the cheerleaders after their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers
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