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.
Freefall against red-hot Patriots
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.
Bijan Robinson gets bottled up again
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.
Stefon Diggs lights up the Falcons secondary
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 is should play and dominate.
With New England’s offense firing on all cylinders and Maye thriving in play-action scenarios, expect Diggs to see plenty of targets early and often. Diggs should surpass 100 receiving yards and haul in a touchdown.
Drake Maye outduels Michael Penix Jr
The Week 9 matchup features two talented quarterbacks with contrasting trajectories. On one side, Maye continues to ascend. On the other, Penix is still trying to find his footing in an inconsistent Falcons offense. The result? A likely lopsided performance between the two signal-callers.
Maye’s recent play has been stellar. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 32-13 win over Cleveland. He’s thrown multiple touchdowns in six of eight games and boasts a 15-to-3 TD-to-INT ratio. Meanwhile, Penix has been erratic. He has mixed flashes of brilliance with drive-killing mistakes.
Maye will finish with 300+ total yards and three touchdowns. On the other end, Penix turns the ball over twice. The Patriots’ quarterback will show why he’s being mentioned in early MVP discussions. Penix’s growing pains will continue against elite competition.
Falcons lose third straight
The formula for an Atlanta win has been simple all year. They need to control the clock with the run, create turnovers on defense, and avoid costly mistakes. Unfortunately for the Falcons, that formula simply doesn’t work against this New England team. The Patriots’ top-tier run defense and opportunistic secondary will expose Atlanta’s limitations.
Expect the Falcons to fall behind early as Maye and Diggs strike quickly through the air. Once forced to abandon the run, the Falcons will struggle to generate consistent offense. Penix’s inexperience and the team’s lack of rhythm in the red zone will again prove costly.
New England wins convincingly, 28-13. They will hand Atlanta its third straight loss and push them further from playoff contention. The Patriots, on the other hand, will extend their win streak to six and solidify their place among the AFC’s elite.
Opposite directions
The Falcons entered the season with playoff aspirations. However, their flaws have been magnified against quality opponents. Meanwhile, the Patriots look every bit like a contender. They are led by a poised quarterback, a dynamic receiver, and a suffocating defense.
If the Falcons can’t rediscover their identity soon, they risk seeing their season slip away. For now, though, the Patriots are surging, and Atlanta appears powerless to stop them.
