A disappointing weekend of NFL action leaves fans thirsty for a good game, and Super Bowl 51 may have what it takes to fill the void.  The NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons march into Houston facing the greatest quarterback of all time in Tom Brady (more on that later), after dismantling the Green Bay Packers.  Drama and story lines aplenty, this match-up has what it takes to make up for a rather lackluster postseason.

If you watched any of the NFC Championship game, you felt like Matt Ryan was every bit the MVP this season.  The Falcons’ top ranked offense will do its best to support MVP hopeful Matt Ryan in a battle against the Patriots’ top-ranked scoring defense.  He showed up Aaron Rodgers and company in the conference championship, spreading the ball around masterfully, and often dropping strikes to freakish Julio Jones.

Adding to the narrative is head coach Dan Quinn’s return to the Super Bowl.  He remembers this stage well, as he was defensive coordinator for the eventual champion Seattle Seahawks in 2013, which happened to be the last time teams ranked first in scoring offense and defense played each other.

For his sake, Ryan and Jones need to connect early and often, as the Packers’ defense is far more porous than what New England will showcase come February 5^th.

On the other side of this match-up, the favored New England Patriots boast a scoring defense that history suggests will be the victor this year.  This game will be the sixth meeting between the number one scoring offense and number one scoring defense since the merger, with four of the past five being decided by the top defense.

Remember the last time we had a Super Bowl with these circumstances?  You should.  It was 2013, when Denver’s very own Broncos were trampled by Quinn and the Seattle Seahawks.

Even more daunting may be the task of taking on Tom Brady.  Factor that in with the sweet irony in the former golden-boy accepting the Lombardi Trophy, and you have more than just football to chew on.

Brady toyed with commissioner Roger Goodell over Deflategate, then proceeded to cut through the AFC like a buzz saw en route to the glorious distinction of the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.).  After serving a four game suspension to start the season, Brady returned with a vengeance, posting arguably one of the best single seasons ever, and hasn’t looked back.

There is a lot more at stake than just rings here in Super Bowl 51.  One team will come out on top, and odds are stacked in favor of Terrific Tom hoisting the trophy when it is all said and done.  Whether you like it or not, Brady is already planning which version of himself he wants chiseled into the Mount Rushmore of quarterbacks.

The dirty birds of Atlanta must come prepared, or the former sixth round pick out of Michigan will walk alone as the G.O.A.T., Lombardi Trophy in hand.