The New England Patriots kept their winning streak alive with a 24-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday — though it didn’t come easy.
Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses allowed a game-changing strip sack in the waning moments of the first half. Drake Maye turned the ball over twice for the first time since Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Marcus Jones was placed in some disadvantageous situations and faltered because of them. Carlton Davis allowed what looked to be the game-tying touchdown.
It’s the kind of game that led to losses in each of the last two seasons, but not this time.
New England stepped up and kept itself in the driver’s seat in the AFC East, which is all you can ask for at this point in the rebuild. I’ve got your takeaways:
MVP CAMPAIGN HITS A SNAG
Maye has been absolutely fantastic over the last month, completing 77.5% of his passes for 1,241 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception across the club’s five-game winning streak entering Sunday’s matchup with the Falcons.
Story continues below advertisement
It’s the type of stretch that would push anyone squarely into the MVP conversation, and the sophomore quarterback is no different… DraftKings Sportsbook loved his chances entering the weekend, dropping his odds to +500. FanDuel Sportsbook had him at just +550.
I’d imagine those odds will continue to fluctuate, as the dual-threat weapon accounted for 281 total yards, two total touchdowns and two turnovers in the victory — with traces of a young player who isn’t careful enough with the football remaining evident.
NO. 1 PRIORITY
New England made a concerted effort at revamping the offensive line this offseason, spending premium draft selections on both Will Campbell and Jared Wilson while also bringing in proven veterans Moses and Garrett Bradbury.
Story continues below advertisement
It’s looking like that trend might have to continue…
Campbell and Wilson look like cornerstone players, but the unit isn’t without its flaws. Maye has been sacked six or more times in back-to-back games. Bradbury still isn’t very good in the running game. Moses doesn’t have much time left playing at a starting level. Onwenu, the longest-tenured player on the unit, has regressed each of the last two seasons and had one major whiff that led to a strip sack that should have been more disastrous than it was.
The Patriots can’t continue to allow their franchise quarterback to take that many hits, which means their never-ending quest to give him the best protection possible is underway.
Story continues below advertisement
More Patriots
Patriots Reportedly Showing Trade Interest In Star Pass Rusher From Rival
by Cole Shelton
2 Min Read
Patriots Insider Names Top Weakness Plaguing Roster
by Daniel Fisher
2 Min Read
FIXING THE MATCHUPS…
Patriots interim defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr has been tremendous to this point, but struggled to find his footing against Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
The Falcons were able to dictate matchups in the first half, which led to multiple instances of 5-foot-8 cornerback Marcus Jones being left in one-on-one coverage in the red zone against 6-foot-4 wide receiver Drake London — who scored three times.
It’s one of those little things that will eventually be addressed, but you would have imagined they knew not to allow that to happen in the first place.
Story continues below advertisement
TREVEYON AND TERRELL TAKE ADVANTAGE
The Patriots haven’t faced very much adversity on the injury front, but found themselves at a disadvantage this weekend as they began life without starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
Stevenson missed the first of what very well could be a significant stretch of games, as there haven’t been very many answers to questions regarding how long the veteran will be sidelined TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings were asked to step to the plate in his absence, and performed admirably on the ground by combining for 90 yards and one touchdown on 25 total carries — while also stepping up in protection on some long-developing passing concepts.
Henderson ran it as well as we’ve seen. Jennings remains a viable short-yardage option, and very well could retain his role as the closer no matter who remains ahead of him on the depth chart.
Story continues below advertisement
The Patriots have already started and will continue trying to strengthen the depth at the position, but they’re in decent shape.
INJURY BUG
The Patriots can contend with anyone when they’re fully healthy, but those questions about depth are starting to rear their ugly head..
Kayshon Boutte suffered a hamstring injury midway through the victory, and his departure marked the beginning of a stark decline in the overall efficiency of the passing game — with wide receivers accounting for just 46 total receiving yards in the second half. Christian Elliss also left before halftime, which preceded three scoring drives that were allowed by the defense. Christian Gonzalez left the game with a head injury in the fourth quarter. Stevenson’s injury obviously presents problems of its own.
Story continues below advertisement
New England is built to win, but only if everything goes right.
It’s a good starting point, but the work has only just begun.
GOOD CHOICE
Andy Borregales or Parker Romo?
I don’t know if you remember just how difficult that choice seemed to be after both spent training camp at One Patriot Place, but the choice certainly wasn’t an easy one to make for head coach Mike Vrabel.
It’s safe to say he made the right one, though.
Borregales has been nails since overcoming his shaky start, hitting 92.86% (13/14) of his field goal attempts and 92.31% (24/26) of his extra points this season. Romo was equally as clutch, hitting at a 88.46% (23/26) of his total attempts, but missed a game-tying extra point attempt late in the fourth quarter that ultimately served as the difference in the game.
Vrabel must have seen it coming, huh?