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The Atlanta Falcons head to Foxborough for a Week 9 clash against the surging New England Patriots. They are desperately searching for answers on both sides of the ball. After a 3-2 start that hinted at promise, the Falcons have unraveled. They have suffered back-to-back blowout losses, capped by a 34-10 drubbing at home to the Miami Dolphins. Their offense has been anemic, averaging just 10 points in each of their last two games. Meanwhile, the defense hasn’t been able to compensate for the offensive struggles. Now sitting at 3-4, Atlanta finds itself in a precarious position in the NFC South. A road game against one of the NFL’s hottest teams could either spark a turnaround, or send them spiraling further into mediocrity.
Meanwhile, the Patriots (6-2) have become one of the league’s most complete teams. Drake Maye is thriving under center. He is playing with poise and confidence while piloting an offense that has averaged 31 points over the last two weeks. On the other side of the ball, their defense has been lights out. They have allowed just 13 points on average in their last two games. The unit’s ability to stifle the run has made opponents one-dimensional. Now, the Patriots enter this game with a five-game winning streak.
On paper, this has the makings of a mismatch. We have a confident, well-coached Patriots team against a reeling Falcons squad struggling to find rhythm. Of course, football is unpredictable, and the Falcons will hope that returning playmakers like Michael Penix Jr and Drake London can help rewrite the script.
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Here we will look at and discuss some bold predictions for the game between the Patriots and the Falcons in Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season.
The Falcons’ running game, led by Bijan Robinson, is likely to be the next victim of the Patriots’ defense. New England ranks second in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (76). They have repeatedly neutralized elite running backs with its disciplined front seven. Expect a similar outcome in Week 9.
In last week’s loss to Miami, Robinson managed just 25 rushing yards on nine carries. His burst and vision remain elite, but Atlanta’s offensive line hasn’t been opening holes. Against the Patriots, that imbalance will become even more apparent. Robinson will be held under 60 total yards. He will fail to reach the end zone for the third straight week.
Yes, the Falcons’ defense started the year strong. That said, its secondary has regressed significantly. The unit was torched by Tua Tagovailoa last week. This Sunday could bring more of the same as they face Stefon Diggs. The Patriots’ star wideout has quickly become Drake Maye’s most trusted target. He leads the team in receptions (42) and receiving yards (470). Even though he’s managing a minor ankle issue, Diggs...
