Pats @ Falcons

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

http://hosted.stats.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20130929001&home=1&vis=17

 

(AP) -- The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons aren't looking like the offensive machines some might have expected them to be.

 

Both teams are dealing with significant injuries on offense and red-zone issues, but one is still finding a way to win as they get set to meet Sunday night in Atlanta.

 

The 3-0 Patriots, a season after averaging a league-high 34.8 points per game, are one of 11 NFL teams averaging under 20 at 19.7. The other 10 have a combined record of 7-23, and the 2-1 Jets are the only other team in the group with a winning record.

 

"I feel good. 3-0. You can't ask for anything better," defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said. "We know our offense, sooner or later, they're going to start clicking."

 

It's going to be hard for it to get any worse inside the opponent's 20-yard line, where the Patriots are last in red-zone performance.

 

"Just poor execution," quarterback Tom Brady said. "I've been one of the main culprits."

 

There could be a turnaround coming if tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Danny Amendola play this week, though both are listed as questionable.

 

So far this year, the receiving duties have been filled by Julian Edelman's league high-tying 27 catches and rookies Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson. Despite a pair of touchdown catches from Thompkins and seven receptions from Dobson in last Sunday's 23-3 win over Tampa Bay, cohesiveness with Brady has been lacking at times.

 

Brady has completed 57.5 percent of his passes, his worst three-game mark to open a season since 2006 (53.3), and he's hanging it all on himself.

 

"I think throwing an interception right to a strong safety last week doesn't help, especially (when) two plays before I had a wide-open guy," Brady said. "I think plays like that are more the problem. I have to do a good job finding the open guys, guys that are running free and then hit them. That will help our red-zone offense more than anything."

 

The Patriots have managed to overcome the shaky offense by allowing 34 points. The 11.3 points-against average is tied for second with Kansas City and behind only Seattle's 9.0.

 

They are one of 10 teams to hold their first three opponents under 1,000 yards and have allowed an average of 188.3 yards in the air. New England is second in the AFC in takeaways while cornerback Aqib Talib leads the NFL with three interceptions.

 

Matt Ryan and the Falcons (1-2), though, should provide a significantly greater test than rookies EJ Manuel and Geno Smith and the recently benched Josh Freeman.

 

Atlanta's 23.7 points per game isn't a huge departure from last year's 26.2, but coach Mike Smith wasn't at all happy about the way things went down in his team's 27-23 loss to Miami last Sunday.

 

"We did not play very good situational football. We're talking about red zone, two minute and third downs," Smith said. "We gave up 10 points in two-minute situations - a field goal at the end of the half, and seven points at the end of the game.

 

"We weren't as efficient as we needed to be on third down; they were 7 of 12. We were 0 for 3 (defensively) in the red zone. We were only 2 for 5 in (offensive) red-zone efficiency so you can just do the math."

 

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones leads the NFL with 373 receiving yards and is tied with Edelman for the league high in receptions, but he's questionable with a knee injury.

 

So is fellow receiver Roddy White, who has just seven catches for 56 yards and has been dealing with an ankle injury.

 

"We've got to do a lot more on offense," White said. "In the red zone, score touchdowns not kick field goals, and we'll be fine. We've got to find a way to find the end zone."

 

Falcons running back Steven Jackson will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling are expected to again carry the load after combining for 139 rushing yards last week.

 

Atlanta cornerback Asante Samuel is questionable with a sore thigh.

 

Brady is 3-0 against the Falcons, including a 26-10 home win over Ryan in the last meeting in 2009.

 

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

Loss.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Falcons are so banged up right now, I dunno if they can pull it off. The Patriots haven't looked great, but they're still winning. This could be one sloppy ugly game.

 

:patriots: 24

17

[Piggly Wiggly 960]

Probably no Gronk for this game.

 

24

:Patriots: 21

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Falcons just have too much offensive firepower to be stopped by the Pats, IMO. Granted I am horrible at predictions... You're welcome New England.

31 - 24 Atlanta

[Dutch 874]

Taking the Falcons in this one.

 

28

 

:patriots: 23

[BradyFan81 404]

Atlanta can have this one.

 

30

:Patriots: 23

 

I have no idea how limited Julio and Roddy will be but if they are hampered by injuries then maybe we can win. I don't see it though. Falcons are desperate and they're pretty hard to beat at home.

Edited September 29, 2013 by BradyFan81

[theMileHighGuy 656]

Great game possibly. I have to take Atlanta since NE will still be without Gronk and Amendola.

 

30

:patriots: 24

[Glanvilles Grits 142]

@BradyFan81: Julio has been limited in practice and listed as probable since his knee injury in the beginning of last year. More of a cautious thing. Mike Smith and his injury report is a lot like the Hoody. Sometimes I swear he just loads it up to keep people guessing lol

 

I can't be the only Falcons fan that notices how much more potent our offense is without Steven Jackson in the offense. Seems like the playcalling is much more fluid when we are mixing it up between Snelling and Rodgers, you never know when we are going to dial up a run. It's great.

 

On another note, Roddy White seems to have some more pep in his step tonight, already looking solid on the first drive. Seems not to be limping like the last few weeks.

 

And one final little tid: Matt Ryan has never beat Tom Brady in his career.

Edited September 30, 2013 by Rain Man

[Glanvilles Grits 142]

They're reviewing the Pats' touchdown right now, let it be known that there should have been a false start called on the center before the snap, nothing was called.... Typical.

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

Season's over. Not going to blame it on injuries...because we look like shit no matter who's in.

[BwareDWare94 723]

Season's over. Not going to blame it on injuries...because we look like shit no matter who's in.

 

your schedule is cupcake worthy for like 4 weeks after this game. I wouldn't worry too much about it just yet.

[Piggly Wiggly 960]

No Gronk, a no-name receiving corps, Amendola's played for a total of like 2 quarters, and we're 4-0...

 

 

BTW, I normally don't complain about officiating, but holy shit, these refs were so fucking awful. Gave Atlanta so many breaks tonight it was ridiculous.

Edited September 30, 2013 by BenJarvus Green-Ellis

[BwareDWare94 723]

I must say, Phil, that I find the Patriots fun to watch, again. I hate dink and dunk, but now they don't have the personnel for it on a consistent basis. The vertical passing game is much more prevalent, now, and their defense is really good. Old fashioned football.

[BradyFan81 404]

What a win! Don't give a crap that they almost blew it at the end, I'll take the win in one of the toughest places in the NFL to win at.

 

Talib was outstanding all game! And I loved how they just double teamed Tony G and completely took him out of the plays at the end.

 

Brady was flawless other than pulling out too early at the end to cause the fumble. Thompkins was outstanding, Edelman continues to give us exactly what Welker did, and the offensive line dominated all game

 

4-0!!!!

[Piggly Wiggly 960]

Wilfork has a torn achilles. Done.

 

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Weren't people in the Mad Box getting upset that he faked an injury? Or were those separate occasions? lol

[Piggly Wiggly 960]

Weren't people in the Mad Box getting upset that he faked an injury? Or were those separate occasions? lol

Yeah, it was Ricky lol.

[BwareDWare94 723]

Tommy Kelly time.

 

On another note, I wonder how an immensely fat player copes with an injury that completely immobilizes him for an extended time. I hope Wilfork can come back full strength.

[Tridentdawgpound 1,043]

So, Patriots...do you need a fat guy to start on your line? I can use the cash.

[Glanvilles Grits 142]

I wouldn't say our season is over. If we can go into Seattle above 500, well be in alright shape. A lot of teams sitting at 2-2.

[Dutch 874]

This was an interesting game to watch. The Patriots truly adjust to their personnel despite not having the passing game go their way in the last couple of games. The defense is also playing well and did a good job shutting down Julio Jones. His only big play came on the last drive after that onside kick recovery. Outside of that, Talib shut him down. He had a great game. However, the Falcons were in another 4th down situation where their fate was completely in their hands and they fell short yet again. They are a good football team but and I wouldn't write them off just yet but they crumble in those do or die 4th down situations. It's starting to become a trend. And a shout out to Tony Gonzalez who continues to remind us why he's the G.O.A.T.

[Glanvilles Grits 142]

A lot of people like to blame play calling, these redZone issues truly may be that. You see just about every team in te red zone start going to loaded fronts with two and three tight ends to make one on one matchups. We don't, we head out in a spread formation every time.

 

We saw Gonzo double teamed in the slot 3 plays in a row. Why can't we swing a running back outside near Gonzo an make them spread te backers or leave someone wide open in that area. It's no used to go spread in such a small area when they just drop everyone back in a zone and blanket the field. Mike Smith and Dirk Koetter need to step it up!

[southgadawg 52]

TBH although I am a big fan of Matt Ryan in this game he really threw some bad passes at some critical times. Missed some guys. Of course Julio among others dropped a pass on a crossing route that hit him in the hands and the Falcons made tons of penalties. Just doesn't seem like a Mike Smith coached team with all the mistakes they have been making the past couple of games. (not to take anything away from the Patriots or the Dolphins both whom have good teams.

[funnygunny 521]

Thanks Tampa Bay