When electing to play man coverage, the Falcons must have answers for the rub routes and pick plays the Patriots will use to free their receivers from harassment at the line. Defenders will need to play at different levels when multiple Patriots receivers are aligned in cluster or stacked formations to have better angles to cut off the crossing routes underneath picks. Falcons' defenders will also need to "hug up" (cling to the receiver) at the top of the routes to avoid being pushed off on option routes at the first-down marker on critical downs. Considering how well the Patriots sustain drives with key receptions on third downs, the Falcons' man coverage has to be flawless for the defense to get off the field when it matters most.