Experts share their picks for the Patriots Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Mike Reiss, ESPN:
Pick: Patriots 27, Falcons 20
Every week provides a new challenge, and this week's could be at running back, where Rhamondre Stevenson is managing a toe injury. Stevenson is the team's most reliable pass-protector at RB, and the Falcons blitz more than any team in the NFL.
Stephania Bell, ESPN: Patriots
Matt Bowen, ESPN: Falcons
Mike Clay, ESPN: Patriots
Chris Fowler, ESPN:
Dan Graziano, ESPN: Patriots
Kalyn Kahler, ESPN: Falcons
Pamela Maldonado, ESPN: Patriots
Eric Moody, ESPN: Patriots
Jason Reid, ESPN: Patriots
Lindsey Thiry, ESPN: Patriots
Seth Wickersham, ESPN: Falcons
NFL.com
Ali Bhanpuri, NFL.com: Patriots 27, Falcons 21
Brooke Cersosimo, NFL.com: Patriots 30, Falcons 23
Dan Parr, NFL.com: Patriots 27, Falcons 19
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com: Patriots 24, Falcons 20
Tom Blair, NFL.com: Patriots 25, Falcons 18
Why Brooke picked the Patriots: The Patriots are legit. A lot of credit goes to new head coach Mike Vrabel and the strides second-year quarterback Drake Maye has taken through the first half of the 2025 season. Guiding New England to five straight wins, Maye leads the NFL in both completion percentage (75.2) and passer rating (118.7). He has unleashed a downfield passing attack that features Kayshon Boutte, who has a receiving TD of 25-plus yards in each of the last three games. Supporting that explosive offense: a Vrabel-led D that hasn't given up more than 20 points in a game since Week 3. That unit also hasn't allowed a running back to rush for 50 yards or more in a game this season. Might Bijan Robinson have something to say about that? He'll have to be better than he was against the Dolphins if Atlanta is to get back on track. Michael Penix Jr. appears to be trending toward playing, but Drake London's status (hip) seems more up in the air. Atlanta is certainly capable of knocking off the red-hot Patriots due to its stellar pass defense and the overall talent of the roster, but we haven't seen this team firing on all cylinders in a few weeks now. Therefore, I leave you with this NFL Research gem: In the four regular-season matchups in Week 9 or later since 1970 between the NFL's leader in completion percentage and passer rating (Maye) and the No. 1 pass defense entering that week (the Falcons), the quarterback won every time. The QB also went on to win the MVP award in all those seasons (Tom Brady in 2007, when he beat the top-ranked pass defense twice; Steve Young in 1992 and '94). Maye might not be able to ignore those chants for much longer.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:
Pick: Patriots 23, Falcons 21
The Falcons played awful last week in losing at home to Miami, while New England continued a winning streak by beating the Browns. But this is a step up in competition for the Patriots. That will matter. Bijan Robinson will get the ball more than the nine times he did last week to keep it close. But Patriots win it.
Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports: Falcons
Jared Dubin, CBS Sports: Falcons
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Falcons
John Breech, CBS Sports: Patriots
Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports: Patriots
Dave Richard, CBS Sports: Falcons
Jamey Eisenburg, CBS Sports: Patriots
Pro Football Talk
Mike Florio: Patriots 28, Falcons 3
Chris Simms: Patriots 24, Falcons 17
Paul Perillo, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 27, Falcons 16
Patriots continue to roll heading into Week 10 showdown in Tampa.
Mike Dussault, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 24, Falcons 16
The Falcons haven't beaten the Patriots since the 1900s and though they have some impressive young weaponry on their offense and an underrated defense, it will be hard for them to slow down a surging Patriots team that is focused on establishing a homefield advantage. The Falcons will make some plays but not enough to stop Drake Maye and the Patriots offense.
Evan Lazar, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 24, Falcons 20
The Falcons are very trick-or-treat, which makes this game difficult to pick. Who is at quarterback? What Falcons offense shows up at Gillette Stadium on Sunday? They can be very scary if Atlanta is on their game offensively. I'm taking the Patriots in a close one against a talented and unfamiliar opponent.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
