Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

LEADOFF: Vegas favors Patriots over Falcons in high-scoring Super Bowl

Falcons owner Arthur Blank hoists the NFC championship trophy with (from left) Rich McKay, Dan Quinn, Thomas Dimitroff, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones looking on. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
Falcons owner Arthur Blank hoists the NFC championship trophy with (from left) Rich McKay, Dan Quinn, Thomas Dimitroff, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones looking on. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
By
Jan 23, 2017

Good morning. This is Leadoff, the early buzz in Atlanta sports.

The New England Patriots opened as a three-point favorite to defeat the Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

Vegas oddsmakers made that call Sunday, when both teams won their conference championship games handily at home — the Falcons beating the Green Bay Packers 44-21 for the NFC title and the Patriots beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 for the AFC title.

The sports books set the opening over/under for total points in the Falcons-Patriots matchup at 57.5, the highest ever for a Super Bowl but not surprising given the teams’ offensive firepower.

On Sunday, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan passed for 392 yards and four touchdowns, while Patriots QB Tom Brady had 384 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Being only a three-point underdog to New England underscores how far the Falcons have come this season.

In Week 1 of the season, the Falcons were an 80-1 longshot to win the Super Bowl while the Patriots were the favorite at 6-1, according to the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.

The Super Bowl will be played Feb. 5 at NRG Stadium in Houston.

The Patriots will be seeking their franchise’s fifth Super Bowl championship, while the Falcons will be trying to win their first.

New England is in the Super Bowl for a record ninth time and Atlanta for the second time.

About the Author

Tim Tucker, a long-time AJC sports reporter, often writes about the business side of the games. He also had stints as the AJC's Braves beat writer, UGA beat writer, sports notes columnist and executive sports editor. He was deputy managing editor of America's first all-sports newspaper, The National Sports Daily.

Follow Tim Tucker on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez stands on the sidelines during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Ariz. Gonzalez has reportedly signed with the Falcons. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images/TNS 2020)

Credit: TNS

Falcons waive Parker Romo, reportedly signing kicker Zane Gonzalez

Gonzalez has played with many different teams including the Browns, Cardinals, Panthers and Commanders He's made 96 of 120 field-goal attempts.

NFL hopes Falcons, Colts can create mini-Super Bowl environment in Berlin

The NFL will hold its first regular-season game in Berlin when the Falcons play the Colts on Sunday at Olympic Stadium.

Falcons’ next opponent: A quick look at Daniel Jones and the Colts

Quarterback Daniel Jones, with the help of running back Jonathan Taylor, has the Colts off to a 7-2 start as they get ready to face the Falcons on Sunday in Berlin, Germany.

The Latest

General view inside the stadium as the national anthems of Germany and the United States played prior to the NFL match between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots at Deutsche Bank Park on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Alex Grimm/Getty Images/TNS)

Credit: TNS

NFL hopes Falcons, Colts can create mini-Super Bowl environment in Berlin

Falcons’ next opponent: A quick look at Daniel Jones and the Colts

Falcons waive Parker Romo, reportedly signing kicker Zane Gonzalez

Featured

A person exits the Wolf Creek Library in Atlanta after casting his ballot during election day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

900,000 turn out on Election Day across Georgia

Georgia Public Service Commission seats are on the on the ballot for first time since 2020. Atlanta mayor, local government and school board seats are also up for grabs.

Porsche, trips and more: Feds say former Hawks finance exec embezzled nearly $4M

The Hawks’ former senior vice president of financial planning and analysis allegedly spent years stealing money from the organization.

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s populist rise continues with debut on ‘The View’

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene appeared on ABC's “The View” to share her criticisms for Republican Party leaders and answer a range of political questions.