The two weeks of buildup to the Super Bowl is excruciating for many reasons — perhaps the most prominent among them being the over-analysis of the game. The media have many hours to fill and columns to file, so every angle is examined down to the technique of the backup longsnapper. What eventually happens is that many media members talk themselves into thinking (or wishing) that the game will be close (plus, never forget how many national media members despise the Patriots). Super Bowl LI is no different. Many are predicting a tight battle between two high-powered offenses. This will not be a close game. New England was 14-2 during the regular season — one loss (versus Buffalo) came when they started a third-string quarterback making his second career start, the other when they couldn’t convert from the 1-yard line against Seattle. The talk of a weak strength of schedule? That comes from people that didn’t watch the Patriots this season and, uh, just looked at the strength of schedule. Atlanta was 11-5. This means that they’re a good, not great, team. These are really the only numbers you need, not DVOA, QBR, and on and on. Quarterbacks Tom Brady (Patriots) and Matt Ryan (Falcons) are both playing otherworldly. But one of these gentlemen has been to several Super Bowls and is the best ever to play the position. The Patriots defense allowed the lowest number of points in the league this season. Atlanta’s defense is porous, to say the least. The Patriots are led by the Bill Belichick, the greatest NFL coach in history. I’d say something about Atlanta coach Dan Quinn, but seriously, what would be the point? If this analysis seems facile, it’s because it’s not hard to predict. This game will be a mediocre cap to a lousy NFL postseason.

Patriots 38, Falcons 24