15 bold predictions for Super Bowl 51

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during the 2017 AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during the 2017 AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

13. There will be more than 700 passing yards in this game

This game is being hyped as one capable of rampant offensive explosion. While the points may not come as often as football fans would like, there will be a lot of yards in this game, possibly empty ones.

With that, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Brady and Ryan throw for over 700 passing yards in this game. Brady and Ryan are two of the most accurate passers in recent NFL memory. They are almost guaranteed to sling the pigskin for over 250 yards every time they take the field.

Regardless of if this game is tight or not, one quarterback will approach 400 passing yards. A close game into the latter stages of the fourth quarter will force either team to abandon the run for the efficient passing game. Should a team fall behind early, abandoning the run seems obvious to help play catchup with a well-executed passing game.

Unlike with Edelman and Jones combining for over 200 receiving yards, both Brady and Ryan will need to hit their threshold (300 yards passing) for this feat to happen. With two MVP candidates at quarterback, we shouldn’t expect anything less than a clinic in the passing game on Sunday.