BSJ Game Report: Patriots 24, Falcons 23 - New England overcomes turnovers to hold off Atlanta

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Falcons in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Patriots survive: It shouldn't have been that close (more in a second), but the Patriots found a way to survive a scare from the Falcons thanks to Parker Romo's missed extra point, and Michael Penix's grounding penalty with Milton Williams in his face with the ball just before the two-minute warning. 

Should have been a blowout: If you look at all the stats, how efficient Drake Maye and the offense were again, and how the Patriots' defense basically shut down Bijan Robinson and Atlanta's third-down offense, the Patriots should have won this game going away. But Maye turned the ball over two times, leading to 10 points, he dropped another ball and took a couple of unnecessary sacks to make this game a lot more interesting than it should have been. 

Patriots were up 21-7 and driving with the ball before halftime — and set to get the ball to start the second half — when Maye was easily strip-sacked. Falcons converted to make it 21-14 instead of 24-7 or 28-7.

Defense does its part: With 9 minutes left, the Falcons only had 170 yards, Bijan Robinson only had 8 carries for 24 yards, were 1 of 8 on third down. Christian Gonzalez pretty much bottled up Drake London when they were matched up — Marcus Jones got switched onto him on both his touchdowns — and K'Lavon Chaisson was a beast with pressure. The defense was terrific, even if Falcons OC Zac Robinson was complicit in his unit's struggles (again).

Demario Douglas had his first 100-yard game, but Kayshon Boutte injured: Douglas caught four balls on six targets for 100 yards — including a sensational 58-yarder — for his first career 100-yard game.

The Patriots might need more from Douglas in the short term as Boutte exited in the first half with a hamstring injury, and did not return.

Christian Gonzalez injured: Drake London went over the top of Gonzalez on a 40-yard catch in the fourth quarter, and the big-bodied receiver landed on Gonzalez's head. He departed and was questionable to return.

The defense also lost LB Christian Ellis (hip) at halftime. So some injury concerns on a team that's been very healthy.

TURNING POINT

Despite what happened in the fourth quarter, I'm going with the strip sack of Maye before halftime. Patriots were in total control, and that changed everything. He needs to make sure he secures the ball, first and foremost.

SECOND GUESS

I mean, I don't really have one. Maye's going to make some mistakes. Most of the issues were with execution as the offense kind of tightened up down the stretch.

THREE UP

WR Demario Douglas: Had 100 yards and a great route/YAC on his 58-yarder.

DT Milton Williams: Led the team with five QB pressures.

RB TreVeyon Henderson: First time in the featured role and he delivered with 18 touchdowns for 87 yards.

THREE DOWN

LG Mike Onwenu: Got beat a handful of time, including on a few sacks when he was slow to react to games from the Falcons. Just can't move very well.

DL Harold Landry and Christian Barmore: Combined for just one pressure according to PFF. Need a lot more from them. Landry does not look right. Need edge help 

QB Drake Maye: He was sensational again right up until the strip sack. After that, he appeared a little tight at times. He just has to take care of the ball more. His turnovers kept the Falcons in the game.

INJURIES

CB Christian Gonzalez (head): Didn't return but good news was he jogged off the field with Robert Spillane after the game.

LB Christian Ellis (hip): Did not return to the game.

WR Kayshon Boutte (hamstring): Did not return to the game.

TOP PLAYS

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Learning experience for Drake Maye: The NFL is not going to be all rainbows and butterflies, no matter how easy Maye has made it look at times. The other team gets paid too, and all players — especially young ones — make mistakes. This was a good experience for Maye, he'll learn from it, and be better for it.

Good for the Patriots to get an adversity test: There will be bigger games down the road for this team, especially next Sunday in Tampa, and this team to have to battle for the whole 60 minutes, feel the pressure being put on them and finding a way to execute just enough down the stretch is a really good experience for everybody. No one needs to apologize for winning an NFL game.