After 2 Blowouts, the Super Bowl Is Set

Patriots will play the Falcons on Feb. 5
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jan 22, 2017 5:52 PM CST
Updated Jan 22, 2017 8:47 PM CST
One Super Bowl Entrant Is Set
Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan congratulates Tevin Coleman, left, after Coleman's touchdown run during the second half.   (AP Photo/David Goldman)

It's the Patriots vs. the Falcons in this year's Super Bowl. Tom Brady and New England easily beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 36 to 17, while Atlanta routed the Green Bay Packers, 44-21. The championship game will be played Feb. 5 in Houston. In the New England game, the Patriots led 17-9 at the half before breaking the game open. Brady threw for three TDs and nearly 400 yards, as Vegas bookmakers installed his team as a 3-point favorite in the Super Bowl before the game even ended, reports AP. Also of note: Patriots fans chanted "Where's Roger?" because NFL chief Roger Goodell didn't attend the game, and fans are convinced he's biased against the team.

In the Atlanta game, Matt Ryan threw for four touchdowns, including a 73-yard catch-and-run for a highlight-reel score by star receiver Julio Jones. The defense played just as crucial a role in containing quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense. Rodgers had 287 yards with three touchdown passes and an interception. But the Falcons got to Rodgers with pressure and forced two Green Bay turnovers. Rodgers was outplayed by Ryan, who even ran for a 14-yard touchdown. The only other time that Atlanta made the Super Bowl was in the 1998 season. The Falcons lost 34-19 to the Denver Broncos. (More Atlanta Falcons stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X