The Patriots’ defense shut out and shut down the Falcons and former Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan in the second half. Both teams had 179 yards of total offense at the half, with New England clinging to a 13-10 lead. Atlanta was relegated to just 15 offensive plays and 78 yards in the second half and didn’t convert a third down (0 for 4). Meanwhile, New England gained 266 yards and ran 47 plays.
It was reminiscent of what the Jets did to the Patriots last week in New England’s 16-9 loss.
“Yeah, it was tough to lose last week. This was a big one to get back on top of,’’ said defensive lineman Mike Wright, part of a defense that limited Atlanta to 17 rushes for 58 yards in the game. “You don’t want to lose two in a row early. This one was big, just like they all are, but this one was big.’’
Brady (25 of 42 for 277 yards with a touchdown) put the game away and etched his name in the record books on a play that required an adjustment by himself and tight end Chris Baker, following a timeout. On third and 6, Brady found Baker down the sideline for a 36-yard touchdown that extended the New England lead to 16 with 7:47 to play and was the 200th TD pass of Brady’s career.
“Just players being players, being on the same page,’’ said Baker.
It didn’t look like Brady and his receivers were reading from the same playbook inside the red zone, as once again the Patriots turned the territory inside the opponents’ 20-yard line into a dead zone.
The only successful red zone trip came courtesy of Fred Taylor, who had his first 100-yard rushing game as a Patriot (21 carries for 105 yards). At the Atlanta 41, the Patriots handed the ball to Taylor four straight times, the last of which was an 8-yard run with 11:41 left in the second quarter that put New England on top, 10-3.
“He ran great,’’ said Brady. “He’s really shifty, so even when there’s not a lot of room in there he makes yards whenever we give him the ball. He’s a really good player for us, and we’ve got to get him the ball.’’
