CHANDLER, AZ - JANUARY 29: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during the New England Patriots Super Bowl XLIX Media Availability on January 29, 2015 at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Former NFL head coach: Bill Belichick will ‘take the air out of the football’ in the Super Bowl

Clearly, he didn't mean to make a DeflateGate joke, did he?

Clearly, he didn't mean to make a DeflateGate joke, did he?

Nah. Former Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt was merely speaking in football terms when he talked about what he believes will be the New England Patriots' game plan Sunday in the Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons.

"I think Belichick is going to take the air out of the football," Wannstedt told reporters on Thursday. Then, he caught himself.

RELATED: The Super Bowl has a halftime performer.

"I mean in football terms, he's going to take the air out of the football, and by that I mean he's going to try to shorten the game and keep Atlanta off the field as much as possible," Wannstedt said.

Now, that makes sense. The Atlanta Falcons have an explosive offense featuring quarterback Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, arguably the best wide receiver in football. It would make complete sense to  keep that unit off the field as much as possible.