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The final four in the NFL is set! On Sunday, Jan. 22, Green Bay travels to the Georgia Dome to battle the Atlanta Falcons. Also on Sunday, Jan. 22, the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Foxboro to battle the New England Patriots. Below, while also discussing the favored New England Patriots, I also make my smart pick to win Super Bowl 51 as well as my longshot pick to take home the Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 5!
4 Fantastic QB's r in the hunt for the SUPER BOWL but when the chase is over TOM BRADY will show y he is THE GOAT!https://t.co/F9elcVXch4
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 18, 2017
Updated Super Bowl 51 Picks
The Odds-On Favorite To Win Super Bowl 51: New England Patriots 5/4
Although early in the Patriots 34 to 16 Divisional Round Playoff win over the Houston Texans, it appeared as if the Texans were frustrating Pat's QB Tom Brady, at the end, it didn't matter. That's the most important thing to understand about the Patriots' true chances of winning Super Bowl 51.
Although they're the solid 5/4 favorites, their fair odds should probably be lower than 5/4. The Patriots are so talented on both sides of the ball that it's hard for me to suggest that anybody who likes them gets off the bandwagon. I can't in good conscience take 5/4 odds. But, there's no way that I'm arguing with anybody who does. This is especially true since Terrific Tom is fired up. New England is a deserving favorite.
The Smart Pick To Win Super Bowl 51: Atlanta Falcons 13/5
The Falcons could possibly upset the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51. There are two reasons why I write that. First, soon to be NFL MVP Matt Ryan can go mano y mano with Terrific Tom. Second, Atlanta coach Dan Quinn is the mastermind behind the defense that destroyed Peyton Manning in Seattle's 43 to 8 win over Denver in the 2014 Super Bowl.
I don't believe that Atlanta can beat New England 43 to 8. But, I do believe that Atlanta could pull out a 38 to 36 win as a +6 to +7 point dog in Super Bowl 51. Matty Ice has been that good this year and Quinn will have had two weeks to prepare for Brady and the Patriots' offense. I have so much faith in Atlanta that I'm going to back them as a die-hard New Orleans Saints' fan. That's right…I hate the Falcons. Can't stand them. But I see the Falcons as the only team left in the playoffs that can beat the Patriots. So, that's the way I'm going.
The Sharp Pick To Win Super Bowl 51: Green Bay Packers 4/1
If the Packers beat Atlanta, they'll have an outside shot to beat New England in Super Bowl 51. I think the odds aren't exactly fair on Green Bay. To me, Green Bay should be at least 7 to 8 to 1 (FYI, Pittsburgh should be 10 to 1) to upset both Atlanta and New England in the Packers next two games. The positive with Green Bay is Aaron Rodgers. The negative is Green Bay's defense. Dallas rookie QB Dak Prescott destroyed Green Bay's secondary with 302 passing yards and 3 TD passes.
Still, if Green Bay finds a way to beat Atlanta, I don't think they will, but if they do, they'll have a shot to take down New England. Why not Pittsburgh? I don't think Pittsburgh has any shot against New England while Green Bay has a shot to upset Atlanta.
