{"id":63242,"date":"2025-10-31T04:30:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T08:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=63242"},"modified":"2025-10-31T07:39:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T11:39:34","slug":"morse-week-9-opponent-atlanta-falcons-preview-and-patriots-signings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2025\/10\/31\/morse-week-9-opponent-atlanta-falcons-preview-and-patriots-signings\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: Week 9 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons Preview and Patriots Signings"},"content":{"rendered":"

We only see the Falcons once every 8 years, so we are not very familiar with this foe.\u00a0 What kind of Front Office signs an aging veteran QB to a 4-year $100 million contract in the Spring before the Draft and then turns around and drafts a QB in the 1st<\/sup> Round #8 overall?\u00a0\u00a0 They should have been fired.\u00a0 Kirk Cousins was not fully recovered from his torn Achilles injury when he signed.\u00a0 His performance early in the season showed this.\u00a0 Eventually, rookie Michael Penix took over.<\/p>\n

Offense 3WR 1TE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/td>\n2nd<\/td>\n3rd<\/td>\n4th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
QB<\/td>\nMichael Penix Q<\/td>\nKirk Cousins<\/td>\nEmory\u00a0Jones IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RB<\/td>\nBijan Robinson<\/td>\nTyler Allgeier<\/td>\nNathan Carter<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nDrake London Q<\/td>\nKhaDarel Hodge<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nDarnell Mooney Q<\/td>\nCasey Washington Q<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nDavid Sills<\/td>\nJamal Agnew<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TE<\/td>\nKyle Pitts Q<\/td>\nCharlie Woerner<\/td>\nTeagan Quitoriano<\/td>\nFeleipe Franks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LT<\/td>\nJake Matthews<\/td>\nMichael Jerrell<\/td>\nStorm Norton\u00a0IR<\/td>\nTyrone Wheatley<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LG<\/td>\nMatthew Bergeron<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C<\/td>\nRyan Neuzil<\/td>\nJovaughn Gwyn<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RG<\/td>\nChris Lindstrom<\/td>\nKyle\u00a0Hinton<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RT<\/td>\nElijah Wilkinson<\/td>\nJack Nelson<\/td>\nKaleb McGary\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Penix, the 6\u20193\u201d 220-pound Lefty QB, led Washington to the National Championship game.\u00a0 They lost to the Michigan Wolverines.\u00a0 Former Patriot\u2019s 2nd<\/sup> round Draft Pick Ja\u2019Lynn Polk was one of his receivers.\u00a0 These were his gawdy numbers for his 6-year college career:<\/p>\n

G\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 GS\u00a0\u00a0 Rec\u00a0 \u00a0 Att\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Comp\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0%\u00a0 \u00a0 Yards\u00a0 \u00a0 YPC TD \u00a0\u00a0INT\u00a0 \u00a0YPG\u00a0 Rec Yard YPC TD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
48<\/strong><\/td>\n45<\/strong><\/td>\n37\u20138<\/strong><\/td>\n1,067<\/strong><\/td>\n1,685<\/strong><\/td>\n63.3<\/strong><\/td>\n13,741<\/strong><\/td>\n8.2<\/strong><\/td>\n96<\/strong><\/td>\n34<\/strong><\/td>\n146.6<\/strong><\/td>\n134<\/strong><\/td>\n265<\/strong><\/td>\n2.0<\/strong><\/td>\n13<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Penix QB grade is 58.3, 32nd<\/sup> amongst all QBs.\u00a0 Last week, the Falcons were even worse, losing to the struggling Miami Dolphins at home 34-10.\u00a0 Penix did not play, and Kirk Cousins was horrible.\u00a0 Penix is listed as Questionable, but did practice on Wednesday and Thursday as Limited.<\/p>\n

The Wide Receiver room is hurting as both Darrell Mooney and Drake London are recovering from injuries.\u00a0 London didn\u2019t play last week.\u00a0 The 6\u20194\u201d. 215-pound receiver was the Falcons 1st<\/sup> round selection (8) in the 2022 draft out of USC.\u00a0 For his career, he has 241 receptions, 3,042 yards, 12.6 YPC, and 15 TDs.\u00a0 This season, he leads the team with 38 catches on 63 targets, 469 yards, 12.3 YPC, and 2 TDs.<\/p>\n

Mooney signed as a Free Agent this year on a three-year, $39M contract. The 5\u201911\u201d, 180-pound Receiver was a 2020 5th<\/sup> round (173) pick by Chicago out of Tulane. \u00a0\u00a0Mooney is very fast as he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash.\u00a0 For the season, he has 11 catches on 25 targets for 158 yards, 14.4 YPC, and no TDs.\u00a0 Both players were listed as Limited on both Wednesday and Thursday\u2019s practices.\u00a0 Watch the progress and especially look at the Friday Injury Report to see if either are listed as a Full Participant.\u00a0 If they don\u2019t practice on Friday, look for either one to be left at home in Atlanta and not travel with the team to New England.\u00a0 Casey Washington is the next receiver with just 6 catches.\u00a0 He did not practice on Wednesday but was upgraded to Limited on Thursday.\u00a0 He is still listed as Questionable on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Bijan Robinson is a top back in the league in just his 3rd<\/sup> season.\u00a0 The 1st<\/sup> round (8) pick of Atlanta in the 2023 draft played at Texas.\u00a0 He was selected to the pro Bowl last season, was an unanimous All-American, and 2x All-Big 12 1st<\/sup> team player.\u00a0 Here are his sats in his 1st<\/sup> two years:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
GP<\/strong><\/td>\nGS<\/strong><\/td>\nAtt<\/strong><\/td>\nYds<\/strong><\/td>\nAvg<\/strong><\/td>\nLng<\/strong><\/td>\nTD<\/strong><\/td>\nRec<\/strong><\/td>\nYds<\/strong><\/td>\nAvg<\/strong><\/td>\nLng<\/strong><\/td>\nTD<\/strong><\/td>\nFum<\/strong><\/td>\nLost<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/strong><\/td>\n16<\/td>\n214<\/td>\n976<\/td>\n4.6<\/td>\n38<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n58<\/td>\n487<\/strong><\/td>\n8.4<\/td>\n71<\/strong><\/td>\n4<\/strong><\/td>\n4<\/strong><\/td>\n3<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/strong><\/td>\n17<\/strong><\/td>\n304<\/strong><\/td>\n1,456<\/strong><\/td>\n4.8<\/td>\n37<\/td>\n14<\/strong><\/td>\n61<\/strong><\/td>\n431<\/td>\n7.1<\/td>\n29<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Robinson is a beast and the best back they have faced this year.\u00a0 Robinson is a very dangerous receiver out of the backfield.\u00a0 He has 33 receptions on 44 targets for a12.5 YPC and 2 TDs.\u00a0 Backup Tyler Allgeier is no slouch either.\u00a0 These are his stats coming into this year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
GS<\/strong><\/td>\nGP<\/strong><\/td>\nAtt<\/strong><\/td>\nYds<\/strong><\/td>\nAvg<\/strong><\/td>\nLng<\/strong><\/td>\nTD<\/strong><\/td>\nRec<\/strong><\/td>\nYds<\/strong><\/td>\nAvg<\/strong><\/td>\nLng<\/strong><\/td>\nTD<\/strong><\/td>\nFum<\/strong><\/td>\nLost<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50<\/strong><\/td>\n10<\/strong><\/td>\n533<\/strong><\/td>\n2,362<\/strong><\/td>\n4.4<\/strong><\/td>\n44<\/strong><\/td>\n10<\/strong><\/td>\n47<\/strong><\/td>\n420<\/strong><\/td>\n8.9<\/strong><\/td>\n75<\/strong><\/td>\n2<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

The 5\u201910\u201d, 225-pound back runs a 4.6 40 and was selected by Atlanta in 2023, 5th<\/sup> round (151) out of BYU.\u00a0 He is also an accomplished receiver out of the backfield with 5 receptions on 6 targets for 20 yards.<\/p>\n

Kyle Pitts leads the team with 39 receptions on 47 targets, 344 yards, 8.8 YPC and 1TD.\u00a0 The 6\u20196\u201d, 250-pound TE is a big target.\u00a0 He was drafted by Atlanta in the 1st<\/sup> round (4) of the 2021 Draft out of Florida.\u00a0 He is also listed as Questionable for Sunday.\u00a0 He was limited in practice on Wednesday and should be monitored.\u00a0 Charlie Worner is the only other TE to catch a pass this year with 1 reception.<\/p>\n

The Offensive line is led by 33-year-old Jake Matthews at LT.\u00a0 The 6\u20195\u201d, 310-pound tackle was a Pro Bowl selection in 2018, Unanimous All-American and 2 x 1st<\/sup> team All-SEC.\u00a0 \u00a0His PFF grade is 73.4, 22nd<\/sup> amongst Tackles.\u00a0 In 2014 he was selected by Atlanta in the 1st<\/sup> round (6).\u00a0 At Left Guard is Matthew Bergeron, a Canadian from Syracuse.\u00a0 The 6\u20195\u201d, 323-pound guard was taken by Atlanta in the 2nd<\/sup> round (38) of the 2023 Draft.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 71.2, good for 17th<\/sup> amongst guards.\u00a0 Center is Ryan Neuzil an Undrafted Free Agent out of Appalachian State.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d, 301-pound center has a very good PFF grade of 72.8, good for 7th<\/sup> amongst Centers.<\/p>\n

Chris Lindstrom is another veteran player.\u00a0 The 2019 draft pick out of Boston College was taken in the 1st<\/sup> Round (14).\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d, 307-pound guard is entering his 7th<\/sup> year in the league.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 73.5 good for 12th<\/sup>. The big issue on the line for Atlanta is at Right Tackle.\u00a0 Elijah Wilkinson, an Undrafted Free Agent out of UMass who stands 6\u20194\u201d, 314-pounds, is the starter.\u00a0 He came into the league with Denver in 2017.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 57.6 good for 73rd<\/sup>. The Right Tackle has given up 3 sacks, 3 QB Hits, 16 Hurries and 22 Pressures. \u00a0Jack Nelson is the backup at Right Tackle.\u00a0 He is a 2025 7th<\/sup> round pick (218) out of Wisconsin.\u00a0 The Falcons are so desperate they have former Patriot Tyrone Wheatley as the 3rd<\/sup> string LT.<\/p>\n

Defense 3-4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/td>\n2nd<\/td>\n3rd<\/td>\n4th<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LDE<\/td>\nZach\u00a0Harrison Q<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NT<\/td>\nRuke Orhorhoro<\/td>\nLaCale\u00a0London<\/td>\nSam Roberts<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RDE<\/td>\nDavid Onyemata<\/td>\nBrandon Dorlus<\/td>\nTa’Quon Graham<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WLB<\/td>\nLeonard \u00a0Floyd\u00a0Q<\/td>\nArnold Ebiketie<\/td>\n<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LILB<\/td>\nKaden Elliss<\/td>\nJD Bertrand<\/td>\nJosh\u00a0Woods<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RILB<\/td>\nDeAngelo Malone<\/td>\nRonnie\u00a0Harrison<\/td>\nTroy Andersen\u00a0O<\/td>\nDivine Deablo\u00a0IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SLB<\/td>\nJalon\u00a0Walker Q<\/td>\nJames Pearce Jr.<\/td>\nBralen Trice\u00a0IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LCB<\/td>\nJessie\u00a0Bates Q<\/td>\nDeMarcco Hellams<\/td>\nMalik Verdon\u00a0O<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SS<\/td>\nA.J. Terrell Jr.<\/td>\nNatrone\u00a0Brooks<\/td>\n<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FS<\/td>\nXavier Watts<\/td>\nJordan Fuller<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RCB<\/td>\nMike Hughes<\/td>\nClark Phillips III\u00a0IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NB<\/td>\nBilly Bowman Jr.\u00a0Q<\/td>\nDee Alford<\/td>\nMike\u00a0Ford<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

On Defense, Atlanta has 5 starters listed as Questionable.\u00a0 Starting LDE Zach Harrison is listed as Questionable and Did Not Practice on Wednesday with a knee injury.\u00a0 The Falcon\u2019s Defense is technically ranked as the #2 Defense giving up only 275.6 yards per game.\u00a0 Their Pass Defense ranks 1st<\/sup> giving up 149.1 yards per game.\u00a0 They are weak at stopping the run, ranked 21st<\/sup>, giving up 126.4 yards a game.<\/p>\n

Zach Harrison is the starting LDE in the 3-4 Defense. He was a DNP on Wednesday and upgraded to Limited on Thursday. \u00a0\u00a0The 6\u20195\u201d, 272-pound DT played at Ohio State.\u00a0 He was Atlanta\u2019s 3rd<\/sup> round pick (76) in the 2023 Draft.\u00a0 \u00a0His PFF Grade is 63.3, good for 47th<\/sup> amongst DTs.\u00a0 For the season, he has 14 Tackles, 4 Sacks, 0 QB Hits, and 10 Hurries.<\/p>\n

Ruke Orhorhoro is the Nose Tackle.\u00a0 The 6\u20194\u201d 295-pounmd NT played at Clemson.\u00a0 He was a 2024 2nd<\/sup> round (35) draft pick by Atlanta.\u00a0 His PFF Grade is very low 47.8 for 109th<\/sup> out of all DTs.\u00a0 For the season he has 14 Tackles. 2 Sacks. 1 QB Hit and 11 Hurries.\u00a0 RDE is David Onyemata.\u00a0 He stands 6\u20194\u201d, 300-pounds and is a Canadian having played at Manitoba.\u00a0 He was selected in the 2016 Draft 4th<\/sup> Round (110) by New Orleans.\u00a0 His PFF grade is a robust 75.6, good for 17th<\/sup> amongst DE\u2019s.\u00a0 This season he has 8 Tackles, 1 Sack, 0 QB Hits and 0 Pressures.<\/p>\n

Former Patriots 2022 Draft 6th<\/sup> Round (201) pick Sam Roberts is a backup for Atlanta.\u00a0 The 6\u20195\u201d 300-pound DL is listed as 3rd<\/sup> string NT.\u00a0 By NFL standards, Atlanta has an undersized Defensive Line.\u00a0 They are light and perhaps don\u2019t have enough \u201csand in the pants\u201d to hold up in the run game.<\/p>\n

The strength of the Falcons Defense is their Linebackers.\u00a0 Leonard Floyd and Jalon Walker are listed as Questionable, and both have been Limited in the first two practices this week.\u00a0 Floyd, 33, is entering his 10th<\/sup> season in the league since being selected in he 2016 1st<\/sup> round (9) by Chicago.\u00a0 The 6\u20195\u201d, 240-pound Edge played at Georgia.\u00a0 His PFF Grade is 60.2, good for 75th<\/sup> amongst Edge players.\u00a0 For the season he has 9 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 6 QB Hits and 8 Hurries.<\/p>\n

James Pearce is an exciting rookie selected in this year\u2019s 1st<\/sup> Round (26).\u00a0 The Tennessee product had some off field issues that prevented him from being drafted higher.\u00a0 That\u2019s the Falcons gain if they can work with him.\u00a0 The 6\u20195\u201d, 243-pound Edge would replace either Walker or Floyd if they are unable to go.\u00a0 Pearce is an excellent pass-rusher. His PFF grade is only 59.4 which is 107 amongst Edge players.\u00a0 He has 8 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 QB Hit and 11 Hurries in limited play.\u00a0 Kaden Ellis is the LILB.\u00a0 The 6\u20193\u201d, 238-pound LB from Idaho was a 2019 7th<\/sup> round (244) pick of New Orleans.\u00a0 His PFF grade is an excellent 71 for 26th<\/sup> amongst all LBs. On the season he has 48 Tackles, 2 Sacks. 5 QB Hits, 10 Hurries and 1 INT.<\/p>\n

DeAngelo Malone is slated to fill the RILB position.\u00a0 He has appeared in 5 games this year and has played only 19 snaps.\u00a0 The 6\u20194\u201d 240-pound LB played for Western Kentucky.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 55.7 but he has so few snaps he isn\u2019t ranked yet.\u00a0 He has 7 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 0 QB Hits, 0 Hurries, and 1 INT.\u00a0 Jalon Walker is the other starter on the Edge.\u00a0 He was this year\u2019s other 1st<\/sup> Round (15) selection.\u00a0 He is a player I would have liked to see the Patriots select if they had not gone for Campbell. \u00a0\u00a0The 6\u20192\u201d, 245-pound Edge played at Georgia and was a member of Georgia\u2019s National Championship Team.\u00a0 He was also a 1st<\/sup> Team All-American and 2nd<\/sup> Team All-SEC.\u00a0 His PFF Grade is 62.3, which is 70th<\/sup> amongst all Edge players.\u00a0 For the season, he has 14 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 QB Hit, and 6 Hurries.<\/p>\n

I am not that impressed with the Falcons secondary even if they are the #1 Pass Defense in the league.\u00a0 They are very vulnerable this week with Jessie Bates and Billy Bowman listed as Questionable.\u00a0 Bates is 6\u20191\u201d 200-pounds, from Wake Forest.\u00a0 The 29-year-old entered the league in the 2018 Draft, selected in 2nd<\/sup> round (54) by Cincinnati. \u00a0\u00a0His PFF grade is a respectful 62.2 good for 47th<\/sup>.\u00a0 His season stats are 45 Tackles, 0 sacks, 1 QB Hits, and 0 Hurries.\u00a0 AJ Terrell is a very good corner.\u00a0 The 6\u2019 1\u201d, 195-pound DB out of Clemson was a 1st<\/sup> round (16) pick by Atlanta in the 2016 Draft. \u00a0He has a 56.3 grade good for 73rd<\/sup>.\u00a0 On the season he has 25 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 0 QB Hits and 1 Hurry.<\/p>\n

Rookie Xavier Watts from Notre Dame is having a positive impact on the Falcons secondary.\u00a0 The 6\u2019, 203-pound Safety was taken in the 3rd<\/sup> Round (96) and leads the team with 41 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 0 QB Hits, 0 Hurries and 2 INTs.\u00a0 Mike Hughes is the RCB and is a little small for the position at 5\u2019 10\u201d, 189-pounds.\u00a0 He was selected in the 1st<\/sup> Round (30) of the 2018 Draft by Minnesota.\u00a0 He attended Central Florida.\u00a0 His PFF grade is 57.9 good for 94th<\/sup> amongst CBs.\u00a0 His stats this season include 28 tackles, 1 sack, 0 QB Hits, and 0 Hurries.<\/p>\n

Slot Corner is Billy Bowman another rookie from this year\u2019s draft.\u00a0 The 5\u201910\u201d DB was selected in the 4th<\/sup> round (118) out of Oklahoma.\u00a0 \u00a0Bowman\u2019s PFF grade is 56.6 good for 71st<\/sup> amongst Safeties.\u00a0 For the year, he has 17 Tackles with 1 Sack, 0 QB Hits, 0 Pressures, and 1 INT.\u00a0 \u00a0 I will add Dee Alford since either Bates or Bowman could miss the game.\u00a0 Alford played for Tusculum and was an Undrafted Free Agent.\u00a0 The 5\u2019 11\u201d, 175 Nickel Back has a PFF grade of 61.6 which is 51st<\/sup>.\u00a0 On the season, he has 24 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 0 QG Hits, 0 Hurries, and 1 INT.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Special Teams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/td>\n2nd<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PK<\/td>\nParker Romo<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P<\/td>\nBradley Pinion<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H<\/td>\nBradley Pinion<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PR<\/td>\nJamal Agnew<\/td>\nMike Hughes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KR<\/td>\nJamal Agnew<\/td>\nMike Hughes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LS<\/td>\nLiam McCullough<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Many thought that John Parker Romo won the kicking competition in New England. The fact is, there was no real kicking competition because the new regime was not going to cut a rookie draft pick over a guy from the Practice Squad.\u00a0 Parker-Romo has been the Falcon\u2019s kicker since Gane 3 when Atlanta cut Younghoe Koo. Parker is hitting only 76.9% of his kicks.<\/p>\n

Andy Borregales has settled down and been very consistent at 92%.\u00a0 Parker-Romo does not handle the Kickoffs.\u00a0 That job is Punter Bradley Pinion\u2019s job.\u00a0 As a punter he is way below average at just 39.3 net Yards which is 25th<\/sup> in the league.\u00a0 Kickoffs and Punt Returns are Jamal Agnew\u2019s responsibility.\u00a0 His 9.7 PR average would be 7th<\/sup> if he had enough returns to qualify.\u00a0 On Kickoffs he has a 24.2 average which is 33rd<\/sup> in the league.\u00a0 Recently extended Marcus Jone of the Patriots still leads the league with a 21.6 Yard\/Return.<\/p>\n

Prediction<\/h3>\n

Miami came into Atlanta and thumped them at home.\u00a0 Granted they were injured. With Kirk Cousins replacing Michael Penix and Drake London didn\u2019t play either.\u00a0 Baltimore goes into Miami and embarrasses them on National TV.\u00a0 This leads me to believe that Atlanta isn\u2019t very good.\u00a0 The Patriots have shut down the opposition run game for 8 straight weeks.\u00a0 Why should I expect anything different this week?\u00a0 The Falcons come in as the #2 Overall Defense.\u00a0 I hope they watched what happened to the #1 Defense in the league a week ago.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think the Falcons Defense are that good.\u00a0 I expect Drake Maye to do what he has done to almost every team he has played this year.\u00a0 My prediction is a 27-13 score with the Patriots dominating another opponent.<\/p>\n

Comings and Goings<\/h3>\n

The Patriots sign RB Terrell Jennings and SS John Saunders to the 53-man roster.\u00a0 They also add RB D\u2019Ernest Johnson to the Practice Squad.<\/p>\n

Saunders was signed from the Dolphins Practice Squad to fill the void made when the Pats traded Kyle Dugger.\u00a0 While not a perfect comparison, Saunders Jr. does bring a more optimistic outlook to the table as far as his positional flexibility is concerned. During his college career at Miami (OH) and especially Ole Miss, he showed that he can move between spots in the defensive backfield without much limitation \u2014 a level of versatility that likely was appealing to New England\u2019s decision makers even before this week: the team had him in town for a pre-draft visit during the spring.<\/p>\n

Even though he does not offer high-end speed, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has a well-rounded skillset that should allow him to be employed in a variety of ways.<\/p>\n

At Ole Miss, Saunders led the SEC in takeaways with 3 INT and 4 Forced Fumbles in 2024. \u00a0He started 48 games in his college career.<\/p>\n

As expected, the Patriots announced they have signed RB Terrell Jennings to the 53-man roster.\u00a0 Jennings, 24, was originally signed by New England as a rookie free agent from Florida A&M on May 13, 2024. He started last season on the practice squad before finishing the year on the 53-man roster. The 6-foot, 217-pounder, began the 2025 season on the practice squad but was elevated to the active roster for the last three games. Overall, he has played in six games and has 20 rushing attempts for 66 yards.<\/p>\n

Johnson, 29, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Cleveland Browns out of South Florida in 2019 and played with the Browns through the 2022 season. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in 2023 and the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. Johnson spent time on the Ravens and Arizona Cardinals practice squads earlier this season. He was released by Arizona from the practice squad on Oct. 28, 2025. Overall, he has played in 96 games with three starts and has 215 rushing attempts for 989 yards with 3 touchdowns and 63 receptions for 465 yards. Johnson has also returned 33 kicks for 772 yards<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We only see the Falcons once every 8 years, so we are not very familiar with this foe.\u00a0 What kind of Front Office signs an aging veteran QB to a 4-year $100 million contract in the Spring before the Draft and then turns around and drafts a QB in the 1st Round #8 overall?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":61480,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-63242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news"],"yoast_head":"\nMORSE: Week 9 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons Preview and Patriots Signings<\/title>\n<meta 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