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Health & Fitness

New England Patriots Face of with Atlanta Falcons in primetime

The New England Patriots (3-0) head to the Georgia Dome to face the Atlanta Falcons (1-2) in primetime Sunday night. Kickoff for the contest is at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC.

Both teams have battled through injuries, the difference being that the Patriots have been able to come out on top each game. The Patriots will be without tight end Rob Gronkowski (shoulder) and Danny Amendola (groin), while running back Steven Jackson (thigh) will not suit up for the Falcons. Left tackle Sam Baker (foot/knee) is listed as questionable but should play. Cornerback Asante Samuel (thigh) is questionable to play against his former team.

Run games

The Falcons were able to amass 146 rushing yards on 30 attempts (4.9 yards per carry) last week against the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots were able to gain 156 yards on 33 attempts (4.7 ypc) last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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On the year, Atlanta ranks 22nd with 90 yards per game and one touchdown, while the Patriots rank 13th with 122.7 yards a game and no touchdowns.

Both teams have been able to effectively run the ball when they choose to but have not had much success getting the ball in the end zone. The Falcons rank fifth in rush defense, giving up only 79 yards per game; the Patriots rank 22nd, giving up 120.7 yards a game.

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Rookies

Rookie receivers Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins will face off against rookie cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford.

According to ProFootballFocus, Dobson has caught only 47.6 percent of passes thrown his way and Thompkins even less at 33.3 percent. They combine for six drops on the season with only three touchdowns.

Trufant has given up 11 receptions for 105 yards and zero touchdowns and Alford has given up seven receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown.

Receiver Julian Edelman should have a better game, as the Falcons have much more trouble with slot receivers like Tavon Austin and Brian Hartline this season. Edelman has caught 79.4 percent of passes targeted to him with two touchdowns. He should be going up against cornerback Robert McClain often, who has given up 18 receptions for 272 yards and two touchdowns.The majority of New England’s passings yard will come in this matchup.

In the red zone

The Patriots have only given up 11.3 points per game. They’ve had a strong defensive presence in the red zone. Can this trend continue against huge red-zone targets like receiver Julio Jones and tight end Tony Gonzalez?

Something to prove

The Patriots have done well to prove doubters wrong despite playing without three of their best offensive weapons. Quarterback Tom Brady has not put up his normal impressive stats but has been able to get it done and pull out wins with his young receiving corps.

The Falcons have only put doubt in the minds of their fans. If they want to be a Super Bowl contender, they need to start winning fast.

Although Tom Brady has never lost to Matt Ryan, the Falcons have not been two games under .500 in the Matt Ryan and Mike Smith era, nor have they lost two games in a row since 2009. Ryan has been able to beat elite quarterbacks and recent Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks in the past, with victories over Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, Joe Flacco, and Eli Manning. Can Ryan add Tom Brady to that list or will Ryan and the Falcons find themselves in a position they have never been in before at 1-3?

Final score: Atlanta Falcons 27, New England Patriots 23
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