Falcons at Patriots
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Sunday, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
TV: CBS
Records: Falcons 3-4; Patriots 6-2
Line: Patriots -4.5
Outlook: The Falcons get two key offensive pieces back in the lineup, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and receiver Drake London returning from injuries. The Patriots are one of the hottest team in the league, riding a five-game win streak — along with the Colts, whom the Falcons face next week in Berlin.
Close, but not close enough.
The Falcons fell, 24-23, to the Patriots, and fell to 3-5 after a missed extra point kept them from tying the game in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Check out the Take 5 takeaways for more details.
Some good news, some bad news.
The Falcons had an incredible touchdown drive to pull within 24-23 with 4:44 left in the fourth quarter, but Parker Romo missed the extra point, which would have tied the game.
It's a good rally for the Falcons, who had their best drive of the game and Drake London got his third touchdown catch of the game. It's up to the defense to get another stop and give the offense another chance.
The Falcons got an interception from Jessie Bates — another defensive stop — and stopped the Patriots' momentum. They drove to the Patriots' 21, but couldn't get in the end zone. Instead, they settled for a 38-yard field goal by Parker Romo, which cut the deficit to 24-17 early in the fourth quarter.
It's a good span for the defense in the second half, but the offense can help themselves if they're able to turn those into touchdowns. That's been a weakness this season.
Patriot wide receiver Stefon Diggs is dating Cardi B.
They flashed her picture up on the video screen in the second quarter.
The Patriots got a field goal to start the third quarter and extend their lead to 24-14, but count it as a victory for the Falcons' defense. When New England got inside the Falcons' 10-yard line, the defense got a stop on third down, after getting their fifth sack of the game and then holding firm for a short gain.
The Falcons didn't capitalize, going three-and-out, but it could be something to build on. Maybe.
Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. combined to help the Falcons get the ball back in the last minute of the first half.
Walker, who was taken with the 15th overall pick, had a sack-strip of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
Pearce, who the Falcons traded back into the first round to select 26th overall, scooped it up and ran it down to the Patriots' 6-yard line.
Two plays later, Penix tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Drake London with :12 left in the second quarter to make in 21-14.
Walker was credited with a 24-yard sack and Pearce was credited with 21 return yards.
Edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. put together a crucial play in the game, when it looked like the Falcons would be in a hole at halftime.
Walker had a strip-sack on Drake Maye, Pearce recovered the fumble and returned it to the Patriots' 6 for a huge opportunity. The Falcons cased in two plays later, with a 2-yard pass play from Penix to Drake London.
The turnaround gave the Falcons the momentum heading into the half, trimming the Patriots' lead to 21-14.
London has a pair of touchdown catches today — matching his season total — and it's a whole new game. Big play from the rookies, and a key score to keep things close.
The Patriots' defense is doing exactly what the Falcons need to do — get off the field on third (or fourth) down.
The Falcons drove into Patriots territory with a couple of plays to Bijan Robinson and a 13-yard pass play to Kyle Pitts. But the drive stalled on a penalty for pass interference and never really got back on schedule.
With their defensive struggles, the Falcons have to be more efficient on offense. Both phases can't be struggling.
Falcons outside linebacker Leonard Floyd left the game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. His return to the game is questionable.
Floyd was listed as questionable coming into the game.
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