Falcons Can't Take Flight Against Pats

It was a rainy miserable day in Foxboro for the Patriots-Falcons matchup and I was there in my fancy $10 Wal-Mart rain gear.

The “experts” were already throwing dirt on the Patriots’ grave as an elite NFL franchise.

Wes Welker was out and Brady was still rusty.

The Pats D still hadn’t been tested by a high octane offense.

The Falcons had a balanced running game led by Michael Turner and former BC star, Matt Ryan was playing beyond his years as a sophomore quarterback.

The challenge was there on all fronts for the Patriots and guess what?

They met every challenge head on and grounded the high flying Atlanta Falcons, 26-10.

The Pats continued their streak of no back to back losses which was started back in 2006.

The Patriots dominated every aspect of this interconference tilt (the team’s 16^th straight win vs. the NFC). The Patriots had the ball for about 40 minutes and the Falcons only had it for 20. One of the reasons, the Falcons barely saw the ball, was the play of Fred Taylor (105 yards and 1 TD).

I was screaming his name from Section 336 the whole game. The fan in the row front of me said, “You really like him, huh?” Of course, I like a running back that finds the hole and averages about 5 yards a carry. Morris didn’t do anything and Maroney got hurt again.

Just give Fred the damn ball! (Doesn’t hurt that I have him on my fantasy team!)

Hopefully, the team will against Baltimore next game.

Randy Moss shook off a back injury and had a great game pulling in 10 balls for 116 yards. There is no doubt that Moss is Brady’s security blanket. He is probably the only one the quarterback has full confidence in.

Edelman is a rookie and is doing a decent job filling in for Welker but he is no Wes Welker.

Joey Galloway has been on the side of a milk carton for 3 weeks. MISSING!

Sam Aiken got an earful from Brady for breaking off his route. This may be why Aiken is just a special teamer.

Greg Lewis is catching game winning passes from Brett Favre in Minnesota.

The tight ends had a decent game. Chris Baker caught a 36 yard TD from Brady after he avoided the pass rush. This put the game away, 26-10.

Brady and his receivers will get better especially with the return of Welker. They need to work on red zone efficiency because their failure to convert will come bite them in the @ss like it did against the Jets.

The defense has been a more than a pleasant surprise. They don’t get the credit they deserve because the fan favorites and big names aren’t there anymore. Bruschi, Vrable, Harrison and Seymour are not walking through that door.

Gary Guyton, Brandon Meriweather, Leigh Bodden, and Vince Wilfork are you leaders for now.  Accept it.  They will get even better when Mayo returns.

Unsung players like Brandon McGowan, who forced a pivotal fumble, are going to be the faces of this new “No Name Defense”. I will take 10 points against a GOOD offense any day.

The D shut the Falcons down.  

Atlanta Weapons Check:

Tony Gonzalez only had 1 catch for 16 yards.

Roddy White contributed only 24 yards on 4 catches.

“The Burner” Turner only amassed 56 yards with 1 TD and 1 costly fumble.

Matt Ryan only could put up 199 yards with limited access to the ball.

The Falcons shot blanks.

Folks, the Patriots are not dead and still have a very strong pulse. They only trail the Jets by 1 game in the AFC East (mark 11/22 on your calendar). The Bills and Dolphins are already done.

The Ravens will be coming to Foxboro this week. They are the most complete team the Pats have faced so far. However, if the Pats come to play like they did against Atlanta; the Ravens will have their hands and wings full.

One bird down, one to go.

Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now , Rootzoo.com. and Trufan.com