Oct 15, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots are not putting much stock in the Super Bowl rematch angle.
“It’s the 2017 version of us and them,” Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said. “We don’t get to replay that one. How it ended, it was a bummer. We talked about it maybe once or twice during our time.”
Since the Super Bowl, the Patriots have added running back Mike Gillislee and wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who has 24 catches for 472 yards and two touchdowns. He’s averaging 19.7 yards per catch.
Running back James White leads the Patriots in receiving with 33 catches for 252 yards.
The Patriots will also have tight end Rob Gronkowski for this game. He didn’t play in the Super Bowl because of an injury. He’s a big red-zone threat and has 26 catches for 401 yards and four touchdowns.
“They can split him out wide and use him as a receiver to have that kind of a matchup, or he can be on the line to try play-action and be (used) that way,” Quinn said. “He’s a pretty versatile guy. He can line up outside the formation and play like a receiver, and then play on the line like a tight end.”
The Falcons don’t want to call it the Super Bowl Hangover. But they are still blowing leads. The Falcons have been outscored 72-30 in the second half of five games this season, including 20 straight points by Miami in a 20-17 loss at home on Sunday to drop to 3-2.
The meltdown against the Dolphins after the Falcons held a 17-0 lead came at a bad time for the team.
The Falcons led 28-3 in the Super Bowl before giving up 31 consecutive points in 17:06 of regulation and overtime.
“With everything that happened in the Super Bowl, that happened then,” safety Keanu Neal said. “We are focusing on 2017. It’s a new team. We know what we know about New England, but it’s a new year.”
Against Miami, Atlanta’s run defense was shredded in the second half and the Dolphins kept the Falcons’ potent offense off the field.
The Falcons gave up a season-high 138 yards rushing as the Dolphins averaged 4.5 yards per carry. Miami running backs Jay Ajayi and Damien Williams had some success running to the weak side of an unbalanced line.
Ajayi rushed 26 times for 130 yards, becoming the first running back to rush for more than 100 yards against the Falcons this season. Williams rushed four times for 9 yards. Quarterback Jay Cutler had one carry for minus-1 yard.
“We talked about it and now it’s just about moving forward and getting ready for the next week,” Neal said.
The Falcons gave up 125 yards rushing against the Bears. They gave up 117 against the Bills, 71 to the Lions and 59 to the Packers. Buffalo’s LeSean McCoy rushed 20 times for 76 yards against the Falcons as the previous individual high this season.
Defensive end/linebacker Vic Beasley Jr. has moved on to New England.
“Tom Brady is a guy with a big heart,” Beasley said. “He never gives up, you can tell that from the Super Bowl. I have a lot of respect for him because he’s accomplished a lot of things in his career. I understand that he’s going to give us his best shot, every team his best shot.”
–Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown six interceptions and had another turnover in the past three games, including two losses. Ryan is on pace to throw 19 interceptions, which would be a career high. Four of the interceptions were tipped passes by Ryan’s receivers. He only threw seven interceptions last season.
–The Falcons made several roster moves involving the practice squad on Tuesday. Running back Brian Hill, quarterback Garrett Grayson and defensive lineman Joey Ivie were signed to the practice squad. Grayson and Ivie are new to the team. To make room, the Falcons released kicker Mike Meyer and placed quarterback Trevor Knight on the practice squad-injured list
Grayson played collegiately at Colorado State and threw for 9,190 yards and 64 touchdowns in four seasons. He was selected by the Saints in the third round of the 2015 draft. He was on the Saints’ practice squad before being waived in September.
Looking at the roster:
–Defensive end Vic Beasley Jr., who is coming off a hamstring injury, was not 100 percent against Miami and didn’t have a sack. He was limited in practice with the injury.
–Defensive tackle Courtney Upshaw (ankle/knee) was limited in practice on his first day back.
–Kicker Matt Bryant (back) did not practice as he was given a rest day.
–Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (hamstring) returned to practice after missing a game.
–Linebacker Jermaine Grace (hamstring) was limited in practice.
–Defensive end Takkarist McKinley (shoulder) was limited in practice.
–Linebacker Duke Riley (knee) was limited in practice.
SERIES HISTORY: 14th regular-season meeting. Patriots lead series, 7-6. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 31-28 in Super Bowl LI in overtime. They trailed 28-3 before storming back to victory. The Patriots have won the last five meetings.
