PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers' coaching staff took heat from fans and media who cried for more man coverage and blitz pressure from the Steelers in the AFC title game loss to New England.
In Super Bowl LI, the Atlanta Falcons saw the benefits -- and heartache -- associated with man coverage against Tom Brady.
The Falcons' man-heavy plan worked smoothly for much of the game, getting pressure with traditional fronts and using young, athletic pass defenders to chase the Patriots all over the field. With Robert Alford's pick-six and the Falcons' five sacks despite minimal blitzing, Atlanta had managed to fluster Brady and jump out to a 25-point lead.