Super Bowl LI: Tale of the tape

Super Bowls are won and lost by teams, but one position group can make all the difference. Let's examine how the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots stack up position by position.

Coaches

Dan Quinn's accomplishments (he's coaching in his third Super Bowl in the past four seasons) cannot be overlooked, but Bill Belichick is the greatest coach in NFL history. A case can be made that Kyle Shanahan and Josh McDaniels are the two best play-callers in football.

Advantage: Patriots

Quarterbacks

If we were comparing Tom Brady and Matt Ryan's career accomplishments, this would be a no-brainer. But we're weighing their current abilities, and Ryan enters this game with a higher completion percentage (70.7 to 62.5), more touchdowns (seven to five), and fewer interceptions (zero to two) through two postseason games. Brady's significant edge in experience has to count for something, so let's call this a wash.

Advantage: Tie

Running backs

LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis are a formidable pair, but the Falcons earn the nod here in a tight race. Their duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are each more explosive than either Patriots runner, and both is comfortable contributing in the passing game.

Advantage: Falcons

Wide receivers

The Patriots are deeper at wideout, with Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, and even rookie Malcolm Mitchell all capable of big games, but the Falcons have by far the best receiver in Julio Jones and some useful complements in Mohamed Sanu and Taylor Gabriel. Jones is the only player in the Super Bowl era to post multiple 150-yard, two-touchdown games in the postseason - and he might be saving his best for the Super Bowl.

Advantage: Falcons

Tight ends

If Rob Gronkowski were healthy, the Patriots would take this category in a landslide. Even with Gronk out, Martellus Bennett is preferable to Austin Hooper or Levine Toilolo.

Advantage: Patriots

Offensive line

The Falcons have the edge in talent, but the Patriots make up for it in consistency. The Patriots finished seventh in the NFL in quarterback hits allowed; the Falcons 27th. On the ground, the Falcons' linemen open more and bigger holes for their tailbacks.

Advantage: Tie

Edge rushers

Quick, try to name one edge rusher on the Patriots. Bet you had to think about it for a minute. Chris Long and Trey Flowers are the starters, and neither of them is half as dangerous as Falcons sophomore Vic Beasley Jr., the NFL's reigning sack leader. Beasley has been quiet in the playoffs, but has Von Miller-in-Super-Bowl-50 potential.

Advantage: Falcons

Defensive interior

The Falcons' interior defensive linemen haven't faced much of a test this postseason, facing only the run-deficient Seahawks and Packers. The Patriots dodged a bullet with Le'Veon Bell's injury, but were the No. 1 scoring defense during the regular season. You can't do that without controlling the line of scrimmage. Alan Branch has been an unheralded force in the middle.

Advantage: Patriots

Linebackers

Dont'a Hightower is enjoying an excellent season and should get a huge deal in free agency, but the Falcons have something special going with the speed and big-play ability of rookie starters Deion Jones and De'Vondre Campbell.

Advantage: Falcons

Cornerbacks

Robert Alford and Jalen Collins have impressed for the Falcons this season, but the loss of Desmond Trufant to a season-ending injury hurts. For the Patriots, Malcolm Butler has blossomed into one of the NFL's few shutdown defenders, and Logan Ryan is very dependable.

Advantage: Patriots

Safeties

Rookie strong safety Keanu Neal has been an instant stud for the Falcons, but the edge in experience held by Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty can't be overlooked.

Advantage: Patriots

Special teams

It hasn't been an exemplary year for the Patriots on special teams, but Stephen Gostkowski remains one of the NFL's best placekickers, Dion Lewis has emerged as a dangerous return man, and Matthew Slater is widely regarded as the NFL's best player in kick coverage.

Advantage: Patriots

Totals

• Falcons: 4
• Patriots: 6
• Tie: 2

The Patriots hold the overall edge in our breakdown, but their specific advantages aren't necessarily at the positions that correlate most strongly with success. If the Patriots can't slow down the Falcons' offensive playmakers, and if the Falcons' pass-rush can prevent Brady from getting the ball to his weapons, the Falcons could pull off the upset.