Super Bowl 2017, New England Patriots vs Atlanta Falcons: How to watch live, preview, half-time performance and betting odds
New England Patriots are looking for their fifth NFL title.
The NFL season comes to an end on Sunday, 5 February when the New England Patriots take on the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Where to watch live
Kick-off is scheduled for 11:30pm (GMT) on Sunday 5 February. Live coverage returns to BBC with full coverage beginning on BBC One at 10:50pm. Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 3 will also have full coverage of the game from 10pm GMT.
Halftime Performance
Lady Gaga will perform at half-time in Super Bowl LI.
Preview
Super Bowl Sunday will see the United States come together and watch one of the biggest sporting events in the world calendar. The Patriots will come into the match for their seventh title game since 2002, having won four championships in the process, while for Atlanta it will be a rare occasion, having never won a Super Bowl and appearing in the title game just once before.
All eyes will be on Tom Brady for the Patriots, on his seventh Super Bowl and accumulating a record number of NFL appearances in the process. He holds the Super Bowl records for passing yards and touchdowns thrown and, with a win on Sunday, his fifth title in his career, would surpass the achievements of NFL legends Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana. Should Brady emerge the most valuable player, he will without doubt be regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
However, the Falcons know that stopping Brady would help them keep themselves in the title hunt and will be looking for their first ever title as they begin their journey to the brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium next season. They will also have an eye on LeGarrette Blount, who is the league leading rushing touchdown scorer for the Patriots.
For the Falcons, much will depend on how they handle the pressure of their second ever entry into the final as they have the attacking talent to beat anyone on their day.
What the coaches say
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick:"I can't tell you how much of a highlight it is. This is where you want to be at the end of the year. You want to be in this game. You want to be playing for the championship. We are fortunate enough to do that. They have a good team. I have a lot of respect for these guys, the players, how hard they work, how competitive they are and this is where we want to be. We are going to enjoy it. We are going to embrace it and we are going to compete on Sunday."
Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn:"I did read an interesting book last year about the New Zealand rugby team – the All Blacks, and the culture they've had and the winning they've had. I've studied rugby from tackling and it's been a driving influence on our leverage tackling – using our shoulder and keeping our head out. When I found out more about their culture, what they stood for, how they had long-term success for years and years – it left a big impression on me."
Betting odds (via betfair)
New England Patriots to win - 7/10
Atlanta Falcons to win - 27/20
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.