The New England Patriots did not play a clean game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9, but in the end they did just enough to survive with a final score of 24-23. Their sixth straight win improves their
record to 7-2 on the year and keeps them well-positioned heading into the back half of their schedule.
Here is a Patriots-centric view at some of the key moments of the game.
Moment No. 1: Popping early
The Patriots started the game against the Falcons well, producing a quick three-and-out on defense before marching straight down the field for their first touchdown of the game. Capping the seven-play, 75-yard series was a 16-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye to wide receiver DeMario Douglas that was set up well — isolating Douglas on linebacker Jalon Walker — and perfectly executed by both players.
The touchdown was the third scoring connection of the season between Maye and Douglas, and the 14th total pass play they hooked up for. It would not remain the only one of the game.
Moment No. 2: Touchdown debut
With starter Rhamondre Stevenson out with a toe injury, the Patriots relied heavily on their young ing running backs to get the job done against Atlanta. That included Terrell Jennings, who was called up from the practice squad to the 53-man roster just earlier this week. In his first game as part of the active team and fourth contest overall this season, the second-year man found the end zone for the first time in his career.
Moment(s) No. 3: Big pass plays
As mentioned above, Drake Maye was not done finding DeMario Douglas. Their biggest connection, yardage-wise, happened on a third down midway through the second quarter. Needing eight yards to move the chains, the pair teamed up on a 58-yard catch-and-run that set the Patriots up in the Atlanta red zone. Two plays later, they were up by two touchdowns:
The Patriots capitalized on the big play from Maye to Douglas with an 11-yard scoring pass from Maye to Stefon Diggs. After not finding the end zone in his first seven games as a Patriots, Diggs has now scored in back-to-back weeks.
Moment No. 4: Momentum changer
Up 14 points late in the first half and with the ball at midfield, the Patriots appeared to be well in position to add to their lead before intermission and start pulling away. However, disaster struck: the offensive line gave up quick pressure, Drake Maye was a bit too careless with the football, James Pearce Jr. scooped up the loose ball, and if not for some A-grade hustle by Will Campbell would have returned it for a touchdown. The Falcons still ended up turning the takeaway into seven points, and registered a major momentum swing along theway.
Moment No. 5: Close call
New England’s offense looked nearly invincible early in the game, but after that fumble in the late second quarter lost its rhythm. As a consequence of that, plus a Drake Maye interception in the third quarter, the Falcons came within one point of tying the game in the late fourth. All that was needed was Parker Romo making the extra point after Drake London’s third touchdown of the day, but the ex-Patriot sent the kick wide to the right.
Moment No. 6: Ball game
Still up by one point within the two-minute warning, the Patriots were five yards from victory: facing a 3rd-and-5, they would be in a position to run out the clock if able to get a fresh set of downs. They did just that on a Drake Maye pass to Hunter Henry that sealed the game and helped keep the win streak alive.
