Missed extra point gives New England 24-23 win over Atlanta Falcons

From Media Reports

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots extended their winning streak to six games Sunday, holding off a late rally to edge the Atlanta Falcons 24–23 at Gillette Stadium. The game turned on a missed extra point by Falcons kicker Parker Romo after Drake London’s toe-tap touchdown with just over four minutes remaining. The kick sailed wide right, allowing the Patriots to escape with their narrowest win of the season.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns in an uneven outing that included one interception and six sacks. Atlanta’s defense was relentless, led by rookie rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., who combined on a key first-half turnover. Walker sacked Maye near midfield just before halftime, forcing a fumble that Pearce returned to the Patriots’ 6-yard line. Two plays later, Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw a 2-yard touchdown to London, cutting New England’s lead to 21–14 at the break.

Penix finished 23-of-36 for 222 yards and three touchdowns, all to London, who became the first Atlanta receiver since 1991 to record three touchdown catches in a game. The Falcons’ final drive ended with an intentional grounding penalty on Penix, pushing them out of field-goal range. The Patriots then ran out the clock when Maye found Hunter Henry for a 17-yard gain on third down.

New England’s offense did just enough. Rookie receiver DeMario Douglas posted his first career 100-yard game with four catches and a first-quarter touchdown. Running back Terrell Jennings added his first career rushing score. The Patriots defense once again bottled up the run, holding Bijan Robinson to 46 yards on 12 carries — extending New England’s streak of not allowing a 50-yard rusher this season.

Despite the loss, Atlanta’s pass rush stood out, recording six sacks for the second time this season and extending its streak of at least one sack in each of the team’s first eight games — its longest such run since 2012. Jessie Bates III intercepted Maye in the third quarter, marking his 25th career interception. Kyle Pitts Sr. also reached 3,000 career receiving yards, becoming just the third tight end in franchise history to do so.

The Falcons have now dropped three straight, falling to 3–5 and third in the NFC South. The defeat marked their eighth consecutive loss to the Patriots, dating back to 1998. New England, meanwhile, improved to 7–2 and continued its push toward the AFC playoff race. The Patriots visit Tampa Bay next week, while the Falcons head overseas to face Indianapolis in Berlin, hoping to end their skid and revive their season.