Controlling the line of scrimmage will be a huge factor in the outcome of the game. I like Atlanta's offensive line because, while they may not be the strongest overall unit, each member of the line handles their assignments and keeps Chandler off his backside. While Denver's line is comparable, in this case I don't see them containing a fierce Falcon's pass rush. Rod Smith is good, Ed McCaffrey is solid and tight end Shannon Sharpe is a Pro-Bowler, but forget all about that when you consider what Atlanta has on the other side. Both Tony Martin and Terance Mathis caught over 60 passes and compiled over 1,000 receiving yards.
Breakaway speed is a huge factor here.
O.J. Santiago is a player on the rise and is tough for any linebacker to cover. The three men combined for 25 sacks on the season and should pose a formidable threat. Here's where Atlanta's O-line comes into play. Falcons Linebackers Denver's tandem of John Mobley and Bill Romanowski match up favorably with Atlanta's Jessie Tuggle and Cornelius Bennett. In a match this even, you go with experience and no one has more than Bennett, who made four trips to the big dance with the Buffalo Bills.