The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons square off on Sunday Night Football in a matchup between last year's conference champions. To argue, however, that Sunday's game is an exact Super Bowl LI rematch would be completely disingenuous.
Here are four ways the Patriots and Falcons are different since Super Bowl LI:
The Patriots' defense has fallen off a cliff
New England led the NFL in scoring defense last year, surrendering a mere 15.6 points per game. What a difference a year makes.
Prior to Sunday's contests, New England ranked 30th in scoring defense, allowing 26.5 points per game. Malcolm Butler, named a second-team All-Pro in 2016, has regressed badly while free-agent signing Stephon Gilmore has been a complete bust thus far. The absence of a meaningful pass rush - with the exception of Trey Flowers, perhaps - has certainly made the Patriots more vulnerable this year as well.
Before this season, no team had ever allowed 6 straight quarterbacks to throw for 300 yards per @EliasSports research. pic.twitter.com/w6FTxr0HNa
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 22, 2017
Bill Belichick is the greatest defensive mind in NFL history and the Patriots can only get better from here, but it's been a dreary, shocking start for the defending champions.
Matt Ryan's Cinderella story is over
The clock has struck midnight on Matt Ryan's Cinderella story.
Ryan was named NFL MVP last year after the best season of his career but his significant improvement in 2016 proved anomalous. Through five games, Ryan has completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 1,357 yards, six touchdowns, six interceptions, and surrendered 10 sacks. Ryan's elevation from good to great mirrored the Falcons' own ascendance, but he's turned back into the run-of-the-mill quarterback that was consistently glossed over.
Some have argued that Kyle Shanahan leaving to become the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers altered Ryan's approach, but expecting continuity in a turbulent, cyclical league is a fool's errand. Don't expect Ryan to turn back the clock.
Julio Jones is non-existent in the red zone
Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said in June that he planned to give Julio Jones more red-zone targets this season, a declaration that seems almost deceitful now. Jones is still without a touchdown and the Falcons haven't given him the touches he warrants.
It's somewhat remarkable that Jones has only received two red-zone targets in five games. This is partly because of Devonta Freeman's proficiency near the goal-line, but it does seem ridiculous that Jones, arguably the NFL's best on-form wideout, has been so criminally neglected.
No Edelman, no problem
Julian Edelman's remarkable catch in Super Bowl LI will forever be part of league lore and he's proven to be an integral part of the Patriots' dynasty. When Edelman tore his ACL in the preseason, many wondered who would fill his absence.
The Patriots traded for Brandin Cooks during the offseason and he's been a revelation thus far, with 24 receptions for a team-high 472 yards. Chris Hogan has stepped into Edelman's role and hasn't missed a beat, with 24 receptions for 307 yards, and a team-best five touchdowns. Hogan can run Edelman's route tree and is a more logical red-zone option due to his size and ability to box out smaller cornerbacks.
It wouldn't be a Belichick offense without a surplus of options in the passing game and they've weathered the storm through the first half of the year.
