Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold pick their Super Bowl LI fantasy team
Thursday 2 February 2017 17:08, UK
On Sunday night, the Atlanta Falcons take on the New England Patriots for a shot at Super Bowl glory.
While the Falcons are free-scoring, the Patriots have experience on their side, and enter the game as slight favourites.
Sky Sports caught up with analysts Jeff Reinebold and Neil Reynolds in Houston, to get their ultimate fantasy team, if they could pick any of the Super Bowl players available.
Quarterback
Jeff: I just don't know if you can go against Tom Brady's experience in the biggest of all games.
Obviously Matt Ryan has had a phenomenal season, but the coach in me says that if you need one guy for the biggest game, I'd don't know if there's another guy you'd rather have than Brady.
Neil: I'm going to go with Brady, too. He's a coach on the field, deadly accurate with the ball and knows what it takes to win the biggest prize.
Running backs
Jeff: The guy that I would take is Tevin Coleman, because I think he gives you the most. He can line up at wide receiver or run in the backfield 20 times. I'd pick him for his flexibility.
I'll stick with his running back partner Devonta Freeman too. He's such a powerful back, and these guys have done it all year, why stop in the Super Bowl?
Neil: I'll go Freeman and Dion Lewis. You could easily go Freeman and Coleman because they've done it all season, but if you're building a fantasy team, Lewis would give you something in the return game. As well as that, he's a difference maker, either as a pass-catcher or 'change of pace' back.
Freeman has it all - as well as being an explosive runner, ball-catcher, and he can stay in and block if he has to. He's one of the best running backs in the NFL now.
Wide receivers
Jeff: Well, Julio Jones is gonna be one for sure, and the other is an interesting concept. If you've got a guy like Julian Edelman, you're always going to win football games.
He's a play-maker who's gonna find ways to impact games, that's why I have to have him.
Neil: Jones is an absolute beast, everyone I've spoken to says it is impossible to cover him one-on-one. I'll also add in Edelman, because he always finds a way to get open.
Since the second half of season started, the league leader in yards per game is Edelman, and No 2 is Jones. They're going to give me production, and attack in different ways.
Tight end
Jeff: I've gotta go with Martellus Bennett, based on raw ability. Bennett can impact the game in the redbone, and that's crucial.
Neil: I'll take Bennett too - there's not a stellar tight end in this group. The Falcons spread the job around, but Bennett is the kind of guy that will get you five or six catches.
Offensive line
Jeff: I love Alex Mack at centre and Jake Matthews is one of the toughest left guards in the league. They're physical, they play hard and I've gotta give the edge to Atlanta.
Neil: The Falcons offensive line has been one of the biggest reasons behind their turnaround. We pay attention to the skills positions and defence, but they've had the same five guys all year and they're one of the better O-lines in the NFL.
Defence
Jeff: The Patriots have the better secondary, and schematically, they'll be really primed to play well. They do such a great job of playing team defence, tackle extremely well and for me, they have the edge.
Neil: Statistically I should be going with the Patriots, especially when defensive coordinator Matt Patricia always comes up with a plan.
But I really like this Atlanta D. I think head coach Dan Quinn is starting to build a unit in his Seattle image, four rookies involved, they've got versatility and a legitimate pass-rush in Vic Beasley.
Special teams
Jeff: I think New England may be more structurally sound in the kicking game, but Atlanta are more explosive on the return.
Ill go against the grain - give me Atlanta.
Neil: I'll go with the Patriots here. Both kickers are very solid, but I think there's more likelihood of a run-back from Lewis. Not much in it though.
Sky Sports is your home of the Super Bowl. Watch all the build up, action and reaction live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports Mix, from 10pm on Sunday February 5.
