The New England Patriots are the early 3-point betting favorites over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51, per Jeff Sherman of Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.
Super Bowl 51 is a matchup of two of the top three scoring offenses in the league, with Atlanta atop the NFL at 33.8 points per game, seventh-best in NFL history, and New England third at 27.6 per game. The Patriots are tops in scoring defense, allowing just 15.6 points per game, while the Falcons allowed 25.4 points per contest, No. 27 in the league.
The over/under for Super Bowl LI started at 57.5 points, per Sherman. However, it has since climbed to record numbers:
Super Bowl over/under already up to 60 (!) at @Sportsbook_com. Previous high total was 56 for Saints-Colts in 2009.
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) January 23, 2017
These were the top two teams in point differential during the regular season, with New England outscoring opponents by 11.9 points per game, and Atlanta at 8.4.
Super Bowl 51 will be played on Sunday, Feb. 5, at NRG Stadium in Houston, with a 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
This is the second Super Bowl appearance for the Falcons, who lost to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII after the 1998 season. For the Patriots, this is their ninth Super Bowl and second in three years.
The Falcons took care of the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game, winning the final game ever at the Georgia Dome, 44-21. The Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 in the AFC Championship Game.
The Patriots are 15-3 against the spread this season, while the Falcons are 12-6, per Odds Shark.