Last meeting
Filling in for an injured Michael Vick, Falcons backup QB Matt Schaub was sensational, throwing for 298 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to keep up with Tom Brady, who threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-28 Patriots win.
Streaks
New England has taken the last two meetings to trim Atlanta's overall series lead to 6-5.
Last week
The Falcons controlled much of the game and beat the Panthers, 28-20, narrowly averting overtime when a desperation heave from Panthers QB Jake Delhomme was almost completed in the end zone as time expired. ... The Patriots struggled against a fierce Jets blitz and lost for the first time in New York since 2000, 16-9.
Keep your eye on ...
Tom Brady's comfort level in the pocket: In Week 2, Brady was pressured relentlessly by the Jets and, despite not being sacked, his timing was disrupted as he completed only 23 of 47. While the Falcons do not run as aggressive a defensive scheme as the Jets, they do possess one of the league's best pass rushers in John Abraham. Abraham is no stranger to taking down Brady. He played his first six seasons with the Jets and has five sacks against Brady in seven career games.
Tony Gonzalez's continued production: Since arriving from Kansas City in an offseason trade, the Pro Bowl tight end has added a new dimension to an already explosive Falcons offense. He has quickly become one of Matt Ryan's favorite targets and is among the league leaders in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns through two weeks. The Patriots have surrendered a score to a tight end in each of their first two games and they have yet to face a player the caliber of Gonzalez.
New England's offensive patience: The Falcons have given up an average of 5.1 yards per carry defensively this year and now they are without perhaps their best run-stuffer, rookie DT Peria Jerry, who was lost for the season due to a knee injury. With Brady still working his way back from last year's knee injury, the Patriots (who have thrown the ball 70 percent of the time this year) might look to establish their run and exploit Atlanta's questionable rush defense.
Did you know?
The Patriots are one of only six teams that has yet to pick off a pass this season. ... New England has won 15 straight regular-season games against NFC opponents. ... Falcons RB Jason Snelling had his first career receiving touchdown last week. ... In its last trip to Foxborough in 1998, Atlanta won, 41-10, on the way to a Super Bowl XXXIII appearance.
