Louisiana Tech punter Ryan Allen vs. Idaho. 10/8/2011

Tom Morris/latechsportspix.com

Danny Amendola

LaGarrette Blount

Mississippi running back Brandon Bolden, center, sails into the end zone after being hit by Tennessee cornerback Janzen Jackson, right, as Brandon scores on a 17-yard run in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tom Brady

Tarell Brown

Malcolm Butler

Marcus Cannon

Scott Chandler

Jamie Collins

James Develin

Aaron Dobson

Nate Ebner

Julian Edelman

Purdue's Greg Orton, left, looks to make a reception over Iowa defender Bradley Fletcher (29) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Jimmy Garoppolo

Stephen Gostkowski #32 kicks off first half action. The Memphis Tigers beat the East Carolina Pirates 27-24 on October 22, 2005.

Rob Gronkowski

Vic Beasley, DE - The Falcons second-year stud defensive end had a breakout season with an NFL-best 15.5 sacks while tying for the most forced fumbles with six. If the Falcons young, speedy defense is going to put up a fight, Beasley is probably going to have to land some pass-rush punches.

Vic Beasley, DE - The Falcons second-year stud defensive end had a breakout season with an NFL-best 15.5 sacks while tying for the most forced fumbles with six. If the Falcons young, speedy defense is going to put up a fight, Beasley is probably going to have to land some pass-rush punches.

Tom Brady, QB - TB12 has shown plenty of emotion this week, both with the press and reportedly in practice action. Brady has the opportunity to earn his fifth Super Bowl ring and add to his G.O.A.T credentials against the Falcons 28th-ranked pass defense.

Tom Brady, QB - TB12 has shown plenty of emotion this week, both with the press and reportedly in practice action. Brady has the opportunity to earn his fifth Super Bowl ring and add to his G.O.A.T credentials against the Falcons 28th-ranked pass defense.

Marcus Cannon, OL - Given the star power that will be on full display Sunday night at NRG Stadium, the contributions of a right tackle might get overlooked. But the key to slowing Tom Brady in the big game has always been the opposing pass rush and Cannon's matchup with NFL sack leader Vic Beasley is a critical one.

Marcus Cannon, OL - Given the star power that will be on full display Sunday night at NRG Stadium, the contributions of a right tackle might get overlooked. But the key to slowing Tom Brady in the big game has always been the opposing pass rush and Cannon's matchup with NFL sack leader Vic Beasley is a critical one.

Julian Edelman, WR - New England's resident slot machine has had at least eight catches for more than 100 yards to key the Patriots passing attack in each of the team's last three games. Last time he faced a Dan Quinn defense in the Super Bowl, he burned Seattle for nine catches and 109 yards on the way to Lombardi love. He'll try to continue such trends against the Falcons questionable young cover men.

Julian Edelman, WR - New England's resident slot machine has had at least eight catches for more than 100 yards to key the Patriots passing attack in each of the team's last three games. Last time he faced a Dan Quinn defense in the Super Bowl, he burned Seattle for nine catches and 109 yards on the way to Lombardi love. He'll try to continue such trends against the Falcons questionable young cover men.

Devonta Freeman, RB - Atlanta's dual-threat running back has been the most vocal Falcon, saying his team can do whatever it wants and New England's defense will have to pick its poison. Freeman rushed for 1,000-yards and caught 50 passes. Freeman is a big part of the test the Patriots defense must pass on Sunday night and backing up his words would be a big first step toward an upset.

Devonta Freeman, RB - Atlanta's dual-threat running back has been the most vocal Falcon, saying his team can do whatever it wants and New England's defense will have to pick its poison. Freeman rushed for 1,000-yards and caught 50 passes. Freeman is a big part of the test the Patriots defense must pass on Sunday night and backing up his words would be a big first step toward an upset.

Dont'a Hightower, LB - The Falcons bring the NFL's No. 5 rushing offense to the big game, but the Atlanta running backs are also just as dangerous as pass catchers. Hightower is the man in the middle of it all on defense, both in terms of setting the front and making plays against the opposing backs who'll be a key target of the New England defensive game plan.

Dont'a Hightower, LB - The Falcons bring the NFL's No. 5 rushing offense to the big game, but the Atlanta running backs are also just as dangerous as pass catchers. Hightower is the man in the middle of it all on defense, both in terms of setting the front and making plays against the opposing backs who'll be a key target of the New England defensive game plan.

Julio Jones, WR - Sure the numbers say that the Falcons win as much or more so when Jones is actually held in check, but the Patriots generally fixate on taking away an opponent's most dangerous weapon. Jones can beat a coverage scheme in so many ways with his varied skill set, it will be interesting to see who and what Bill Belichick's defense throws at the All-Pro target.

Julio Jones, WR - Sure the numbers say that the Falcons win as much or more so when Jones is actually held in check, but the Patriots generally fixate on taking away an opponent's most dangerous weapon. Jones can beat a coverage scheme in so many ways with his varied skill set, it will be interesting to see who and what Bill Belichick's defense throws at the All-Pro target.

Devin McCourty, DB - The Pro Bowl safety and his pass defense face by far their biggest challenge of the season in the Super Bowl LI battle with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the rest. New England has done a good job avoiding giving up big plays and tackling well all year. That must continue, and McCourty will be critical dealing with Atlanta's seemingly endless cast of playmaking options.

Devin McCourty, DB - The Pro Bowl safety and his pass defense face by far their biggest challenge of the season in the Super Bowl LI battle with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the rest. New England has done a good job avoiding giving up big plays and tackling well all year. That must continue, and McCourty will be critical dealing with Atlanta's seemingly endless cast of playmaking options.

Dan Quinn, Head Coach - Atlanta's head coach not only sets the tone for his young, inexperienced team heading into the biggest 60 minutes it may ever play, but also is the coach behind whatever the Falcons defense has in store for Tom Brady. Like quarterbacks, coaches make their legacies in the Super Bowl. Quinn has his work cut out for him trying to win the sideline battle with Bill Belichick.

Dan Quinn, Head Coach - Atlanta's head coach not only sets the tone for his young, inexperienced team heading into the biggest 60 minutes it may ever play, but also is the coach behind whatever the Falcons defense has in store for Tom Brady. Like quarterbacks, coaches make their legacies in the Super Bowl. Quinn has his work cut out for him trying to win the sideline battle with Bill Belichick.

Matt Ryan, QB - The man expected to beat out Tom Brady for the NFL MVP Award enters the Super Bowl on quite a roll. Ryan has notched a passer rating of 120 or better in each of his last six games, including two dominant playoff wins. If Ryan keeps it going the football world could be in for a Super shootout.

Matt Ryan, QB - The man expected to beat out Tom Brady for the NFL MVP Award enters the Super Bowl on quite a roll. Ryan has notched a passer rating of 120 or better in each of his last six games, including two dominant playoff wins. If Ryan keeps it going the football world could be in for a Super shootout.

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2010 file photo, Pittsburgh defensive tackle Jabaal Sheard (97) rushes the New Hampshire quarterback during an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh. Sheard is a top prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

Colorado State quarterback Pete Thomas (4) is chased by Utah defensive tackle Sealver Siliga (98) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart)

UCLA's Matthew Slater celebrates his touchdown after running back a kickoff against Washington during the second half,Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won 44-31. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Nate Solder

Bryan Stork

Sebastian Vollmer

Ryan Wendell

James White

Tavon Wilson