Falcons brace for pivotal showdown against surging Patriots
The Atlanta Falcons are set to embark on a crucial road trip to face the New England Patriots this Sunday, as they seek to avert a potential three-game losing streak that could spell disaster for their season. This Week 9 matchup promises to be anything but easy, with the Patriots riding high on a five-game winning streak.
Falcons’ Struggles and Stakes
After a disappointing 24-point defeat to the struggling Miami Dolphins in Week 8, the pressure is mounting on the Falcons’ offense. Head coach Raheem Morris has publicly supported his beleaguered offensive coordinator, attributing the unit’s struggles to execution rather than play-calling.
“We’ve got to get our running game going,” Morris emphasized. “That really is our lifeline of everything that we do, whether it be running the ball, passing the ball, whatever the case may be. When we get that going, we’re a really good offense. When we don’t get that going, we look like we did last Sunday.”
This Sunday’s game against the Patriots will serve as a critical litmus test for the Falcons. A loss could significantly diminish their hopes of a postseason berth, leaving them to reevaluate their trajectory in the second half of the season.
Challenge for the Offensive Line
Morris has called upon his offensive line to step up as the team heads into the latter part of the season. The head coach knows that the success of the offense hinges on their ability to create running lanes and protect the quarterback.
“Everybody needs to be on the same page and ready to play the right way,” he stated. “This offense is dynamic when we get all the pieces firing. We need to get Bijan [Robinson], Drake [London], Kyle [Pitts], and Darnell [Mooney] involved and clicking together.”
With the stakes so high, the Falcons will need all players to elevate their performances to compete against a formidable Patriots squad.
Statistical Breakdown
As the Falcons prepare for their matchup, here’s a look at some key statistics that highlight both teams’ performances this season:
Falcons Offense
Points Per Game: 17.1 (28th in NFL)
Total Yards Per Game: 342.7 (14th)
Passing Yards Per Game: 219.4 (13th)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 123.3 (11th)
Expected Points Added per Play: 25th
Falcons Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 22.0 (13th)
Total Yards Allowed Per Game: 275.6 (2nd)
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 149.1 (1st)
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 126.4 (22nd)
Expected Points Added Allowed per Play: 17th
Patriots Offense
Points Per Game: 26.6 (8th)
Total Yards Per Game: 353.1 (10th)
Passing Yards Per Game: 240.5 (9th)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 112.6 (18th)
Expected Points Added per Play: 7th
Patriots Defense
Points Allowed Per Game: 18.3 (4th)
Total Yards Allowed Per Game: 300.4 (9th)
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 224.4 (19th)
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 76.0 (2nd)
Expected Points Added Allowed per Play: 8th
Viewing Information
Fans looking to catch this crucial game can tune in on Sunday, November 2. With both teams at pivotal junctures in their seasons, this matchup could be a defining moment for the Falcons as they strive to turn their fortunes around against the in-form Patriots.
