Atlanta Falcons (2-0) at New England Patriots (1-1)

Opening Line: New England Patriots -4 O/U 44.5

Time: 1 PM ET Sunday September 27, 2009 on FOX

by Marasoft.com Staff

The Patriots have not looked like the Brady led Patriots of old so far this season unless you count the last 2 minutes of their opening game win over the Buffalo Bills. Last week in their loss to the Jets 13-9 Brady failed to score a TD, as the Jets held the Pats to only 3 field goals. The Falcons are 2-0 and the main reason is because of their offense, which has scored a total of 47 points including putting up 28 points in a 28-20 win over the Carolina Panthers last season. The Pats trail the 2-0 Jets in the NFC East, but they may be able to make up some ground, as the Jets play the Titans, Saints, and Dolphins in their next 3 games. The Falcons are tied for 1st place in the NFC South with the 2-0 New Orleans Saints.

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The Patriots are led by QB Tom Brady (594 yds 2 TD 2 INT) and his main targets are WR Randy Moss (16 rec 165 yds) and TE Ben Watson (9 rec 100 yds 2 TD). The Patriots rushing attack is led by the duo of Fred Taylor (71 yds 1 TD) and Laurence Moroney (55 yds). The Falcons are led by QB Matt Ryan (449 yds 5 TD 1 INT) and his main targets are TE Tony Gonzalez (12 rec 144 yds 2 TD) and WR Roddy White (11 rec 95 yds 1 TD). The Falcons rushing attack is led by RB Michael Turner (170 yds 1 TD).

The Patriots' defense has played solid, especially last week against the Jets, but their offense is struggling, as Brady only has 2 TD to 2 INT and their running game has been disappointing. The Patriots are only averaging 78 yards in their 2 games and they will have to pick up some yards in this game against a Falcons' D that has given up an average of 349.5 yards, including 229.5 passing yards, in their first 2 games. The Falcons do not have a great secondary and this is the perfect game for Brady to get back to being the Brady of old and lighting up the scoreboard. Brady does have solid yardage and he has thrown 100 passes already, but he has failed to find the end zone like in seasons past.

Michael Turner has been solid this season so far in the backfield for the Falcons and if he can help move the chains on the ground and keep Brady and the Pats' offense on the sidelines it will give them a great advantage. Matt Ryan has been steady so far, but he will be facing a solid Pats' defense and the Falcons' offensive line has to give him time to find his targets and open up holes for Turner.

Are the Falcons a legit Super Bowl contender? Can the Patriots offense break out of their offensive slump? Both questions will be answered in this game.

The Marasoft Pick: Atlanta +4.
The Patriots defense is no what it used to be and will need a healthy Welker to not lose this game outright.