The Atlanta Falcons are sitting at 1-2 and in desperate need of a win. Playing the Patriots might not be the best way to get that, but playing at home is at least the ideal situation to make it happen. The Falcons have never lost back-to-back games under the reigns of coach Mike Smith and Matt Ryan and they are hoping not to let that happen now.
The Falcons offense revolves around Julio Jones with Roddy White hampered by injury. He leads the NFL with 373 receiving yards and is tied with Edleman for most receptions. White has just 56 yards on seven catches. Steven Jackson will miss his second-straight game with injury, meaning Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling take over the ground work. This was not the high powered offense the Falcons had in mind, but it will have to do.
The Patriots were not expecting to start the year with their two best pass catchers on the bench. With Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola both out, the Patriots are just one of 11 NFL teams to average under 20 points per game. They may be 3-0, but the offense does not reflect that. New England also ranks last in redzone offense, making things worse.
Julian Edleman and Kembrell Thomkins have taken over starting duties for wide receivers, not what Brady was hoping for. Brady has completed 57.5 percent of his passes, his worst percentage to open the season since 2006. No matter what, he is only blaming himself for the slow start.
Prior to the start of the 2013 season, the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons looked to be an offensive showdown. Both teams were predicted to have two of the best units in the league, but so far that has yet to really pan out. Both hit hard with injuries, this game might come down to which defense can survive the longest.
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