Read Bleacher Fan’s argument that Miami/Virginia Tech is the best game of the week. Read Sports Geek’s argument that Minnesota/San Francisco is the best game of the week.
Every week there are big games in the NFL. Most usually involves teams in the same division, but week three of the NFL season presents a different type of matchup. The Atlanta Falcons, one of the best teams in the NFC, is making the trip to Foxboro this weekend to take on the New England Patriots, traditionally one of the top teams in the AFC.
The Falcons come in flying high (Falcons do fly high occasionally) with impressive wins over two playoff teams from 2008, the Miami Dolphins and the Carolina Panthers (though both are 0-2 at this point). Last week, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan threw for three more touchdowns, and he has quickly formed great chemistry with the newest Falcon, tight end Tony Gonzalez. The Saints have received much of the early media attention out of the NFC South, and deservedly so as they appear to be one of the teams to beat early on. If, however, the Falcons can continue to play well on defense, then watch out for those Birds from the south!
The Patriots come into this game with many unanswered questions. They snatched victory away from the jaws of defeat in week one against the Buffalo Bills, thanks to some critical Bills’ mistakes late in the game. Last week, in a game that was viewed as a status marker for the New York Jets, the Patriots played very poorly and lost to those J-E-T-S by a score of 16-9.
The national media was very happy to sing the praises of the Jets after that victory. This week, however, those same networks are wondering what is wrong in New England.
It is still early, though, and there is little cause for alarm in New England. Yes, they allowed the Jets and Bills to move up and down the field on them at times. The offense also struggled at the Meadowlands. This is still the Patriots, though, and there is a reason why they are four point favorites at home Sunday afternoon. That reason is quarterback Tom Brady.
Last weekend, the Falcons struggled defensively at times against the deep passing of the Panthers. Wide receiver Steve Smith was especially able to get loose in the Falcons secondary. Expect the Patriots to take many shots downfield to try and capitalize in a similar manner. Randy Moss has a big size advantage against the Falcons secondary, so if Brady has time to throw (which has not been a given this year), Moss could have a big day.
For Atlanta, the Falcons may be catching the Patriots at just the right time. The New England offense clearly has failed to find a rhythm to this point, due in large part to the need for reestablishing Brady’s timing. Perhaps the Patriots miss their former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who left New England in the offseason to become head coach for the Denver Broncos, more than they are willing admit.
I am sure the Falcons are also glad to be playing this game on September 27th instead of December, where there is a great difference in weather conditions at Foxboro between those two months. The forecast for this game calls for temperatures in the mid 60’s with rain in the forecast. It is safe to assume that would not be the case in late December!!
The two games Bleacher Fan and Sports Geek are arguing on behalf of should be very entertaining as well. I will try to catch a sneak peek at both of those games, but it is the battle between the Falcons and Patriots that promises to be the best of them all.
