FTW: Super Bowl will make up for disappointing playoffs

There's no other way to say it: The 2017 NFL playoffs have been a massive disappointment. The Packers and Cowboys gave us a thriller and the Steelers and Chiefs played a close one, but outside of those games, we haven't gotten any competitive matchups.

But there's still hope for this postseason. Thanks to a compelling Super Bowl LI matchup between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, there's a chance these playoffs end on a high note. Let's count the reasons why we're in for an exciting Super Bowl…

1. Bill Belichick gets two weeks to plan for the Falcons offense

This isn't the first time Bill Belichick is taking on a historically-great offense in the big game. He's been behind two of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, creating game plans to befuddle the "K-Gun" Bills in 1991 and the "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams in 2002. Now he gets his shot at Kyle Shanahan's offense, which has been terrorizing defenses all season long.

Belichick is known for taking away his opponent's biggest strength, but the Falcons are so dynamic, it will be difficult for New England to focus on stopping one weapon. Will Belichick focus on shutting down Julio Jones? What about Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman? Maybe he'll come up with another genius game plan to stop all three. We'll see what Belichick has planned on Feb. 5.

2. A lot of points will be scored

Everybody loves a shootout, right? We're guaranteed to get one in Houston. Both Tom Brady and Matt Ryan are playing at a high level, and neither of these defenses are very good. Yes, the Falcons defense has played better of late, but Josh McDaniels and Brady will have two weeks to study a defense that just isn't all that creative. The Patriots defense leads the league in points allowed but isn't nearly as good as the stats imply. It ranks 16th in defensive DVOA. New England doesn't have much of a pass rush, so Ryan should have time to sit back an pick the Patriots secondary apart. First one to 40 wins.

3. The MVP subplot: Ryan vs. Brady

Brady and Ryan are the two leading candidates for the MVP award. Ryan will probably win it, which means we'll get an angry and motivated Brady looking to prove he is still the best quarterback in the NFL.

Of course Brady will have to perform without his top target, Rob Gronkowski, or a consistent run game. If he isn't perfect, the Patriots will have a difficult time keeping up with Atlanta. Ryan will be playing on the biggest stage of his career just days after winning the league's most prestigious award. There will be immense pressure on both signal-callers in this one.

4. Roger Goodell can't avoid the Patriots again

Roger Goodell has avoided New England during the playoffs. He elected not to attend the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, opting, instead, to attend the Falcons game for a second consecutive week.

But he'll be at the Super Bowl, and if the Patriots win, he'll have to hand the Lombardi Trophy over to Robert Kraft and Brady, the two men he battled for over nearly two years during the Deflategate saga. If you need a reason to root for New England, this potentially awkward situation is it.