Calm before the Super Bowl storm

The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons enjoyed an easy day ahead of the Super Bowl, paying separate visits to NRG Stadium

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady

The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons enjoyed an easy day ahead of the Super Bowl, paying separate visits to Houston’s NRG Stadium to get acclimatised.

The sides wrapped up their final on-field practices on Saturday in good health and optimistic about their chances of lifting the Lombardi Trophy this morning.

The Patriots held a final 90-minute session at the University of Houston, running drills at half-speed without shells or shoulder pads under their jerseys.

“We’ve covered everything. We’ll finish off our meetings and stuff, but we’re done on the field,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

The Patriots planned to walk around the NRG Stadium to get used to the surroundings and take a team picture.

Belichick said the Patriots hoped to put a stop to the high-scoring Atlanta Falcons’ streak of touchdowns on their first possession in eight successive games.

“They are a fast-starting team, offensively,” Belichick said. “So we’ve got to do a good job of making sure we know what we’re doing.”

Quarterback Tom Brady had a typically sharp week of preparation, the coach said. “He’s been in these games and big games before. Each week is different, every defence is different, our plays are different, based on what the defences are. He had a good week,” said Belichick.

Brady, going after a record fifth crown among quarterbacks just as Belichick can register a record fifth title as a coach, has been emotional this week, talking about his family as news emerged that his mother, Galynn, has battled an illness over the past 18 months. Asked if his mother will be able to attend the game as initially planned, Brady said: “I’m still hopeful. I’m not sure, but yeah, hopeful. That’s a good word.”

The Falcons, meanwhile, got a splendid red-zone performance from quarterback Matt Ryan in their chilly, breezy practice at Rice University.

In some 20 minutes worth of plays from the 20-yard line and closer against a scout team defence, Ryan was perfect. Not one pass of his hit the ground.

“That’s Matt,” coach Dan Quinn said after the 80-minute session. “I am so pumped for him, the way he has worked. It is not surprising the offence feels so good about the plan and has practised so clean.”

Red zone efficiency is near the top of Atlanta’s to-do list as the Patriots have been especially stingy from inside the 20, leading the NFL in fewest points allowed.

Players nursing injuries, including centre Alex Mack, star receiver Julio Jones and pass-rusher Dwight Freeney all practised on a limited basis and were expected to play.

Reuters