Super Bowl 51: 5 reasons the Atlanta Falcons win
By John Buhler
3. Playing in a dome favors Atlanta
This cannot be understated. Atlanta caught a break in being able to play all of its NFC playoff games indoors. The Falcons are an elite dome team, but played their worst game of the season in mild conditions on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 13th.
That being said, Atlanta gets a huge boost in being able to play in a dome for Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston. Not that the NFL schedules all that many cold-weather Super Bowls, but getting to see the explosive Atlanta offense go to work in a dome only aids the Falcons’ chances against the Patriots.
Part of what makes New England such a perennial Super Bowl contender is that most AFC teams have no clue how to win on the road in frigid Foxborough. The Patriots usually pound the rock and avoid making mistakes with the football to get to as many Super Bowls and AFC Championships as they do.
While New England does have the receiving weapons to flourish in a dome environment, the running game seems to be better favored for winning in the cold. Power back LeGarrette Blount is a beast in cold weather, but the pleasant conditions of playing in a dome could marginalize his effectiveness.
In short, New England has played in one dome game this season (Week 1 at Arizona), while Atlanta has played in 11 games on the turf. It’s a different playing surface than natural grass/mud. Atlanta is accustomed to flourishing in it. New England probably wishes Super Bowl LI was in Miami or Tampa.