The Falcons Are Coming

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chevss454

chevss454

Data-driven decision-making is science and art.
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New England Patriots

4-2, 1st in AFC East
NFL regular season
Sunday, October 22, 8:30 PM on NBC
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts


Gregg Rosenthal‏Verified account @greggrosenthal <small class="time"> </small>
It’s a little too on the nose that the Falcons get the Patriots a week after blowing a 17-point lead at home


Maybe the Falcons, like the Steelers 2 wks ago, were caught looking ahead.
Let's hope all hands are on deck for this game. Color me worried.


The only changes the Falcons made to their starting offense were at right guard (second-year man Wes Schweitzer taking over for the retired Chris Chester) and fullback (Derrick Coleman in; Patrick DiMarco out). DiMarco was the only Atlanta who player caught, threw or carried the ball in Super Bowl LI who no longer is with the team.

The Falcons’ defense — a unit that stymied Brady and the Patriots for close to three quarters the last time these teams met — hasn’t changed much, either. Star cornerback Desmond Trufant now is healthy after spending the second half of last season on IR, and the rest of Atlanta’s starting secondary is back, as well. Ditto for starting linebackers Vic Beasley, Deion Jones and De’Vondre Campbell. Defensive end Dwight Freeney is gone, but his spot was filled from within by Brooks Reed and Adrian Clayborn.

The most notable newcomer on Atlanta’s defense, Dontari Poe, starts at defensive tackle, replacing Ra’Shede Hageman, who was released last month after being brought up on domestic violence charges. Rookies Duke Riley and Takkarist McKinley also will see time at linebacker and D-end, respectively.

Read more at: https://nesn.com/2017/10/patriots-f...ifferent-offseasons-after-epic-super-bowl-li/
 
My first instincts for this game are that Atlanta will put up oh, about 1,000 points on this defense. But, they're only slightly better than middle of the pack in terms of points per game (12th best at 24.2 PPG, we're #5 at 28.7)

We've played and beaten the #3 and 4 best offenses (Texans/Saints) and lost to the #2 offense, the Chiefs. The Bucs have the offense right below the Falcons at #13 and we held them to 14 points. So a case could be made (though not by me) that the D has looked bad because we've played some of the best offenses in the league to start the year.

Their Defense is also middle of the road at #16 21.8 PPG, ours is third worst though #30 at 26.5 PPG

Also, and this is an intangible, far more often than not during the Brady/Belichick era when it looks like this team is about to get creamed they rise to the occasion and play well.

That all being said i'm starting Matt Ryan in fantasy this week. LOL
 
Pats losing 3 games at home in 1 season? Ain't going to happen.
 
Atlanta's offensive numbers are way down as it appears Ryan has returned to earth a bit. It looks like Jones has been banged up and Sanu hasn't been playing so I'm sure that hurts. The Pats will get their absolute best effort, though, so hopefully they are ready. This looks like a 41-39 shootout
 
Who are the Falcons this year? They lost to the Bills and Dolphins scoring only 17 points in both games. Are the Falcons suddenly that bad, or are the Bills and Dolphins suddenly that good?
 
bmooney54 said:
Who are the Falcons this year? They lost to the Bills and Dolphins scoring only 17 points in both games. Are the Falcons suddenly that bad, or are the Bills and Dolphins suddenly that good?
Click to expand...

Bills beat the Falcons and the Broncos but lost to the Bengals.
Dolphins beat the Chargers, lost big to the JETE & Saints, beat the Titans and Falcons.

I can't make any sense out of any teams this year - Pats included. :shrug_n:
 
doom

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Color rush: Patriots will wear all blue for Sunday night's game against the Falcons.</p>— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/920259552133697536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Undertaker #59* said:
doom

<iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="position: static; visibility: visible; display: block; width: 500px; height: 184.05px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; max-width: 100%; min-width: 220px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;" data-tweet-id="920259552133697536" title="Twitter Tweet" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Click to expand...

I like em better than the all white unis

DMQmfNiUQAALVr4.jpg
 
chevss454 said:
The Falcons’ defense — a unit that stymied Brady and the Patriots for close to three quarters the last time these teams met — hasn’t changed much, either.
Click to expand...
Oh, no.

I guess the Pats will have to somehow get by on just 570 yards of offense.

Maybe special teams will carry the day.

:D
 
bmooney54 said:
Who are the Falcons this year? They lost to the Bills and Dolphins scoring only 17 points in both games. Are the Falcons suddenly that bad, or are the Bills and Dolphins suddenly that good?
Click to expand...

This miss Shanahan for sure but Ryan is having his every other down year.
 
This is going to be another nailbiter. Not a good game for either of the defenses. I see an exciting, if stressful, high-scoring game that the Pats win, probably in dramatic fashion. I predict a final score of Pats 40, Falcons 38. I think both QB’s/offenses will want this one bad.
 
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-2) vs. ATLANTA FALCONS (3-2)
Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Gillette Stadium (65,878)
PATRIOTS: Download Release | Roster | Depth Chart | Watch Games
FALCONS: Opponent Release | Roster | Depth Chart
The New England Patriots will host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football in a rematch of their historic come-from-behind Super Bowl LI overtime victory last February. The rematch marks just the eighth time in NFL history that two teams will meet in the regular season following a Super Bowl matchup the year prior, with the most recent such matchup coming in Week 1 of the 2016 season when the Denver Broncos hosted the Carolina Panthers in a rematch of Super Bowl 50. Denver 24 vs. Carolina 10.


TALE OF THE TAPE

<table style="width:100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"> <thead> <tr> <th scope="col">2017 REGULAR SEASON</th> <th scope="col">NEW ENGLAND</th> <th scope="col">ATLANTA</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody><tr class="odd"> <td>Record</td> <td>4-2</td> <td>3-2</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Divisional Standings</td> <td>1st</td> <td>2nd (T)</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Total Yards Gained</td> <td>2,472</td> <td>1,892</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Total Offense (Rank)</td> <td>412.0 (1)</td> <td>378.4 (5)</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Rush Offense</td> <td>102.2 (19)</td> <td>120.6 (11)</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Pass Offense</td> <td>309.8 (1)</td> <td>257.8 (6)</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Points Per Game</td> <td>28.7 (5)</td> <td>24.2 (12)</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Touchdowns Scored</td> <td>19</td> <td>13</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Third Down Conversion Pct.</td> <td>44.3</td> <td>45.5</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Team Passer Rating</td> <td>106.9</td> <td>87.3</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Total Yards Allowed</td> <td>2,644</td> <td>1,562</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Total Defense (Rank)</td> <td>440.7 (32)</td> <td>312.4 (10)</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Rush Defense</td> <td>115.8 (20)</td> <td>102.0 (13)</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Pass Defense</td> <td>324.8 (32)</td> <td>210.4 (12)</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Points Allowed/Game</td> <td>26.5 (30)</td> <td>21.8 (15)</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Touchdowns Allowed</td> <td>19</td> <td>11</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Third Down Defense (Pct.)</td> <td>43.4</td> <td>38.1</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Field Goals Made/Attempted</td> <td>13/14</td> <td>10/11</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Possession Avg.</td> <td>29:55</td> <td>29:43</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost</td> <td>16/80</td> <td>10/68</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Sacks Made/Yards</td> <td>14/80</td> <td>12/101</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Passing TD/Int. (Off.)</td> <td>13/2</td> <td>6/6</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Passing TD/Int. (Def.)</td> <td>14/5</td> <td>7/2</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Penalties Against/Yards</td> <td>45/398</td> <td>32/293</td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td>Punts/Avg.</td> <td>26/42.6</td> <td>15/44.8</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td>Takeaway/Giveaway Ratio</td> <td>+3 (8t)</td> <td>-4 (27)</td> </tr> </tbody></table> BROADCAST INFORMATION

TELEVISION: This week's game will be broadcast by NBC and can be seen on NBC Boston - 10. Al Michaels will handle play-by-play duties with Cris Collinsworth as the color analyst. Michele Tafoya will work from the sidelines. The game will be produced by Fred Gaudelli and directed by Drew Esocoff.
NATIONAL RADIO: This week's game will be broadcast to a national audience on Westwood One. Kevin Kugler and Mike Mayock will call the game.
RADIO: 98.5 FM, The Sports Hub, is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. A complete listing of the network's 40 stations can be found here. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. The games are produced by Marc Cappello. Read
THE HALL OF FAME RING OF EXCELLENCE

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will honor John Hannah, Mike Haynes and Andre Tippett during the New England Patriots' Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons when they are presented with the Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence. The special presentation will take place at Gillette Stadium during halftime.
The Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence is one of three iconic symbols that represent the elite status of being a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hannah, Haynes and Tippett all received their Hall of Fame Gold Jacket and unveiled their Bronzed Bust during their respective Enshrinements. All three symbols - the Gold Jacket, the Bronzed Bust, and the Ring of Excellence - will be displayed during the halftime presentation.

http://www.patriots.com/news/2017/10/17/game-preview-falcons-patriots
 
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