Falcons-Patriots: a Super Bowl match-up not many experts predicted, and an interesting one at that. Even fewer still give the Falcons a chance to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history.

Do the Falcons have a chance? Oh, they have a chance, alright. And not only do they have a chance, they will beat the Patriots, and here are five reasons why:

1. Matt Ryan: It’s that simple. Matt Ryan has been the best, most consistent quarterback this season, accounting for 4944 regular season yards (second behind Drew Brees at 5208), 38 touchdowns (second behind Aaron Rodgers at 40), and a 117.1 passer rating (first by 4.9). And he has played every game this season…something the other Super Bowl quarterback has not done…not going to mention any names―cough, cough, Tom Brady.
2. It’s all about points, people: The Falcons tied the 2000 St. Louis Rams―”The Greatest Show on Turf”―for the seventh most points in NFL history, tallying 540 over the 16-game regular season, and they put up 36 and 44 in the Divisional Round and NFC Championship Game, respectively. This equates to an average of 33.8 points per game, the most in the NFL this season, 4.5 more than any other team.
3. The Patriots haven’t played anybody: Yes, the Patriots have the number 1 ranked scoring defense, but look at the quarterbacks they played during the regular season: Carson Palmer (not who he used to be), Ryan Tannehill (no weapons besides Kenny Stills), Brock Osweiler ($72 million? Really, Houston?), Tyrod Taylor twice (unproven; also, one Patriots loss), Charlie Whitehurst (Charlie Freaking Whitehurst), Andy Dalton (depleted team around him), Landry Jones (backup), Russell Wilson (loss), Colin Kaepernick (don’t even get me started), Ryan Fitzpatrick twice (he plays for the Jets, come on), Jared Goff (not established), Joe Flacco (not elite), Trevor Siemian (rookie), Matt Moore (another backup). In the playoffs? Osweiler again (really, again?) and Ben Roethlisberger (no Le’Veon Bell for over half the game). Name one elite quarterback besides Big Ben on that list…exactly.
4. The Falcons are actually playing some defense: Over the final six games of the regular season and the first two games of the playoffs, the Falcons’ defense has given up 20.5 points per game, right around mid-pack over that span. This is almost a full five points better than the Falcons’ overall 25.4 PPG allowed average on the regular season. They have played some weak offenses over this span including the Rams, 49ers and Cardinals (all NFC West teams…funny), but this stretch of strong defensive play gives the Falcons some confidence heading into Super Bowl weekend.
5. See reason 1. He’s that good.

This is sure to be a great Super Bowl, and with the over/under set at 59 points, a high scoring one at that. This would be the highest over/under in Super Bowl history if it holds true until game time. Fasten your seatbelts, folks. It’s going to be a wild ride.