Atlanta Falcons at New England Preview

By John Palmer | Saturday, October 08, 2005 | ( 0 )

Got something to say?

If I were the trainer for the New England Patriots, I'd start looking for a black cat hiding somewhere near their training facility. There's more bad injury news for the beleaguered Pats. Three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour may not play due to a knee injury. That's not what a defense wants to hear just before you take on the NFL's leading rushing team. The Atlanta Falcons led the league in rushing last year, and they hold the top spot this year averaging over 200 yards per game. Last week the Patriot's injury riddled defense was lit up by San Diego. There could be more of the same this week. The Falcons rushed for 285 yards last week against the Vikings.

Some saving grace for New England might come from the injury bug they know so well. Atlanta QB Michael Vick may be slowed down by a sprained MCL in his right knee. If Vick can't exploit the Patriot defense with his speed and moves, he becomes (slightly) more one-dimensional. But even on a bum knee, Vick is still a threat.

Another statistic that probably concerns the New England coaching staff more is Atlanta's habit of jumping out to big leads. Since 2004, The Falcons have outscored their opponents 55-3 in the first quarter. Their defense is no pushover either.

DE Patrick Kerney, the Falcons Pro Bowl defensive end has recorded 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries already this season! After he unloads on opposing offenses, DT Rod Coleman is the second barrel. In Atlanta's win over the Vikings last week, Coleman racked up two sacks and one forced fumble. From 2002-2005, no interior lineman has had more sacks (33). In four games this year, Coleman has five sacks, 13 tackles, two forced fumbles and two passes defended.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots offense will be severely tested this week. A loss to the Atlanta Falcons will drop them to 2 - 3 on the season, and that's something that people, and athletes, in the Northeast haven't seen in a long time.

Got something to say?