Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan says the team’s high-scoring offense will face its toughest test yet against the defense of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
Some critics have discounted the Patriots’ No. 1 scoring defense — despite giving up only 15.6 points per game — but Shanahan thinks the criticism is ridiculous.
“That blows my mind that people would be doing that,” Shanahan said. “It’s the best defense that we’ve seen in the NFL this year. The numbers show it. And watch the film and you see exactly why their numbers are the way they are. They are extremely tough to score against. That’s why their No. 1 in the NFL. I believe only one game this year someone scored 30 points (the Seattle Seahawks scored 31 on Nov. 13).
“They have very good players all around: players that are interchangeable that can be pass-rushers, that can be linebackers, that can be corners, that can be safeties. And they have an extremely good scheme. So, it’s by far the biggest challenge we’ve had this year.”
The Falcons’ offense, led by MVP frontrunner Matt Ryan, averaged 33.8 points during the regular season and in the playoffs scored 36 and 44 points in dominating wins over the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers.
Shanahan will take a detour from Atlanta before the team hits Houston for the Super Bowl on Feb. 5.
Shanahan is interviewing for a second time Saturday with the San Francisco 49ers. Shanahan is expected to be named head coach of the 49ers after the Super Bowl.
Shanahan is in his second season as offensive coordinator with the Falcons. He also served as offensive coordinator with the Washington Redskins (2010-13) and Cleveland Browns (2014).
“It’s worked out pretty good because getting this bye week before the Super Bowl, we have two weeks to prepare for it,” Shanahan said of the second interview with the 49ers. “We all get the day off on Saturday before we travel on Sunday. So on Saturday, I’m going to do what I did a couple of Saturdays ago and interviewed for the first time. So I’ll get a chance to talk with them again, and we’ll see how it goes.”
