The Patriots are winners of six in a row, and improved to 7-2 with a close 24-23 win over a talented but flawed Atlanta Falcons team.
The Patriots, near the close of the first half, gave every appearance of blowing this one wide open. They were leading 21-7 and had the ball around midfield with an opportunity to execute the double-score scenario, putting the Falcons to bed early with no comeback.
But then, as the saying goes, all hell broke loose. A strip sack, scoop, and return put Atlanta inside the ten-yard line, where they punched it in for at least a 10-point swing and gave them life.
After that, it was a dog-fight, and late in the game, the Falcons scored what should have been a game-tying touchdown with about five minutes left, but missed the extra point. They would get a final chance, but were stopped by the Patriots’ defense. With 2:03 left, the Patriots needed a first down and got it from the offense when they needed it.
Was it a pretty win? Nope, but it was a gritty one, and those will suffice. Even during the dynastic years, these types of games would crop up.
So, as we always do, let’s break it down by position
Quarterback: B-
Drake Maye was outstanding in the first half, right up until the fumble with less than a minute remaining. The second half was a struggle for him, right up until crunch time. And then he and Hunter Henry delivered, sending the fans home with a win instead of playing overtime.
Overall, Maye’s numbers, 19-29 for 252 with two TDs and one interception for a 102.5 passer rating, are fine. However, there were missed opportunities, including taking unnecessary sacks and issues with ball security.
It was not his best game this season by a long shot, but it wasn’t horrible either. We sometimes forget he’s only 23 and playing in his 21st career start.
Running Backs: B
TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings were the starting duo, with Rhamondre Stevenson out with a toe injury. While their stats weren’t eye-popping, they were good enough on this day against a less-than-average run defense.
Henderson ran 14 times for 55 yards, for a 3.9 average, and added four catches for 32 yards in the passing game. An 87-yard day is nothing to discount. Meanwhile Jennings ran for 35 yards on 11 carries for a 3.2-yard average. Maye added 20 yards rushing for a total of 110 on the ground.
This was a good outing for the duo, but a much tougher test comes this week.
Wide Receivers: B
Pop Douglas had a career day with four catches for 100 yards, including a 58-yard catch and run where he nearly fell a few times but was able to keep his feet. He and Maye connected on a great play design where Douglas came out of the backfield and isolated on a linebacker for an easy 17-yard TD.
Stefon Diggs had just three catches for 38 yards including a nice run after the catch for an 11-yard touchdown. Mack Hollins had two catches for nine yards.
The group missed Kayshon Boutte, who left early with a hamstring injury.
Tight Ends: B+
Hunter Henry saved the Patriots’ bacon this week with a 17-yard reception that put the game away. Since arriving with the Patriots, he’s been their most reliable guy, and it was no surprise that Maye went to him with the game hanging in the balance.
Henry finished with four catches for 51 yards, Austin Hooper had one catch for 20 yards, while he and Jack Westover provided some good blocking. Khyiris Tonga got one rep as an FB and blasted a hole for Henderson to get a first down.
Offensive Line: D+
Another week, another mixed bag of results. Mike Onwenu struggled last week, badly. He was taken to school on the strip sack that was returned before the half.
The run blocking, particularly that of Will Campbell, had its good moments.
The pass blocking was not good, but much of the blame for the six sacks rests on Maye not throwing the ball away. It isn’t an excuse, but it is what it is.
Defensive Line: B
The defensive line once bottled up a talented running back, holding Bijan Robinson to just 46 yards on 12 carries. Overall, Atlanta ran for only 71 yards. That is outstanding work again.
The pass rush, however, struggled, especially in the second half. Milton Williams had a strong game with seven pressures, including the intentional grounding call.
K’Lavon Chaisson and Harold Landry need some help in the pass rush department. They both look worn down in the second half, with no help coming from the backups.
***Note*** The Patriots made no moves at the deadline which makes the decision to trade Keion White for a bag of chips a head scratcher now. Despite the fact that he wasn’t a great fit with the new defense, he was a proven depth piece, which is more than they have right now. The fact that they didn’t want to mortgage the future draft picks for a rental is understandable, but it is hard to understand why then trade away a player that has been productive when you don’t bring in anyone to replace him? While this doesn’t have a thing to do with the report card for this week, I have the feeling we may revisit this topic again***
Linebackers: B
The linebackers, particularly Robert Spillane, were excellent again, holding the Falcons to just 71 yards rushing. Spillane was all over the field. Christian Elliss was off to a great start early in this one before getting hurt, but Marte Mapu and Jack Gibbens played well.
They did a good job of taking away the middle of the field for Kyle Pitts, who had four catches for 38 yards.
Secondary: B
The Patriots’ secondary had a rough day with Drake London, who had nine catches for 118 yards and three TDs, Atlanta did a great job of scheming him up on Marcus Jones at the goalline, giving him an enormous height advantage.
But other than him, Darnell Mooney had one catch for 15 yards, the only other WR to catch a pass. Robinson out of the backfield had eight catches for 50 yards.
The safeties, Jaylinn Hawkins (the Clapper, give me a break) and Craig Woodson played well.
Overall, Penix passed for 221, not a terrible day for the secondary, on a day when the pass rush wasn’t great.
Special Teams: B
The Patriots got another good game from Andy Borregales, who made all four of his kicks; Bryce Baringer boomed a 61-yarder and averaged 50.0 on his punts with two inside the 20-yard line. Coverage units were okay.
The only downer was the penalty on Jahlani Tavai, too many flags on STs this season.
Coaches: B
Mike Vrabel and the coaching staff had a good game plan this week, and it was working until, as Vrabel said, they went to sleep there before waking up and barely putting this one away.
But that will be the teaching point this week. And as he said, learn from wins and not from losses.
The Falcons and their whining about clapping are done for this week. Next week, a much, much more formidable opponent awaits as the Patriots travel to Tampa to face the Bucs, who are coming off a bye.
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
