FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Along with his staff watching as its lead whittled away late within the fourth quarter, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel knew he needed to say one thing.
“I informed our offense that we have been going to want one drive to win the soccer recreation,” Vrabel stated. “And that’s all that’s going to matter.”
He simply wasn’t certain if it could be a five-minute drive or a two-minute drive.
“It wound up being a five-minute drive,” Vrabel stated. “They executed.”
Drake Maye threw two landing passes and had a pair of turnovers in an uneven efficiency, and New England held on for its sixth straight victory, 24-23 over Atlanta on Sunday after Parker Romo missed a possible tying additional level for the Falcons.
Terrell Jennings had his first profession speeding landing for the Patriots (7-2). DeMario Douglas had 4 catches for 100 yards, the primary 100-yard receiving recreation of his profession.
New England led 24-17 within the fourth quarter when Michael Penix Jr. linked with Drake London for a 40-yard acquire alongside the sideline with Christian Gonzalez in protection. Gonzalez left with a head harm on the play after being landed on the play, leaving the Patriots with out their greatest cornerback with the Falcons within the purple zone.
The Patriots pressured a fourth-and-goal on the 8, however London outstretched Carlton Davis III on a soar ball for a toe-tapping landing to get the Falcons inside some extent.
However Romo’s additional level try missed large proper.
New England went three-and-out on its subsequent possession, giving the ball again to Atlanta with 3:30 remaining.
The Falcons (3-5) drove to the Patriots 48 earlier than an intentional grounding penalty on Penix pushed them again and compelled them to punt.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris stated the Patriots clapped their arms to simulate Penix’s snap name on the play he was referred to as for grounding. It pressured middle Ryan Neuzil to snap the ball early.
“Good job by these guys. Nice situational soccer,” Morris stated. “He wasn’t prepared for the snap.”
New England confronted one other third down, however this time Maye accomplished a cross to Hunter Henry for a 17-yard acquire that allowed the Patriots to expire the clock.
Maye completed 19 of 29 for 259 yards, however was sacked six instances. He additionally had an interception and was strip-sacked simply earlier than halftime to arrange a landing by Atlanta.
Nonetheless, he walked off the sector assured his teammates that his staff was glad, however not happy.
“Doesn’t matter if it’s 24-23 or 3-2,” Maye stated. “You may really feel in that locker room that guys know we are able to play higher.”
The Falcons have misplaced their final eight conferences with the Patriots. Atlanta hasn’t gained in Foxborough since 1998.
Penix handed for 3 touchdowns and completed 22 of 37 for 222 yards. Bijan Robinson rushed 12 instances for 46 yards because the Falcons dropped to 0-5 when he rushes for fewer than 75.
New England stays the one staff within the NFL this season to not enable 50 yards speeding to a operating again by way of 9 video games.
“We’re going to be taught from profitable in order that we don’t need to be taught from shedding,” Vrabel stated.
Accidents
Falcons: LG Matthew Bergeron left within the first quarter (ankle). … Edge rusher Leonard Floyd exited within the second with a hamstring harm.
Patriots: WR Kayshon Boutte was dominated out after leaving within the second quarter with a hamstring difficulty. … LB Christian Elliss left within the second with a hip harm. … Gonzalez didn’t return after his head harm. He stated afterward that he was put by way of the concussion protocol, however was cleared.
Early motion
Regardless of lacking operating again Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots tried to determine the run on the outset by using a number of tight finish units to the ball on early downs. It helped open the sector for Maye and the passing assault.
First, Maye linked on a fade to Douglas for a 16-yard landing cross on the Patriots’ opening drive.
With the sport tied at 7 within the second quarter, Maye linked up with Douglas once more, this time discovering him close to the sideline on a put up route. Douglas stumbled initially after pulling within the ball, then evaded just a few tacklers earlier than falling to the turf after a 58-yard acquire to set the Patriots up within the purple zone.
Maye discovered Stefon Diggs two performs later for an 11-yard TD cross to stretch New England’s result in 14 factors.
However a Patriots miscue helped the Falcons get it again to single digits simply earlier than halftime.
The Patriots had the ball close to midfield with 32 seconds remaining when Maye was strip-sacked by Jalon Walker. The ball was recovered by James Pearce Jr. who returned it to the Patriots 6 earlier than being dragged down by Will Campbell.
Atlanta scored two performs later by way of a 2-yard landing cross from Penix to London.
Up subsequent
Falcons: Host Indianapolis subsequent Sunday.
Patriots: At Tampa Bay subsequent Sunday.
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