Maye, Boutte ignite Patriots’ offense to hand Falcons another tough loss

FOXBOROUGH, MA - Mike Vrabel's first-year Patriots flipped the script on a surging Atlanta squad, exploding through the air to beat the Falcons 34-24 and hand Chuck Davis' team a second straight setback after their 6-1 start. New England, which entered at 3-5 and 1-3 over its last four, steadied itself behind a brilliant night from Drake Maye and a defense that picked off Michael Penix Jr. three times.

Maye dices up Atlanta

Maye was calm and ruthless, completing 26 of 35 for 389 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. His timing with Kayshon Boutte was the difference: the second-year receiver hauled in five passes for 166 yards and two back-breaking scores of 70 and 71 yards. Stefon Diggs chipped seven catches for 85 yards, while Antonio Gibson (16-yard TD) and Rhamondre Stevenson (3-yard TD) joined the party.

Falcons strike first, Patriots answer

Atlanta landed early shots-a 31-yard strike from Michael Penix Jr. to Bijan Robinson and a 57-yard bomb to Kyle Pitts-but New England seized momentum with two Andres Borregales field goals before Maye hit Gibson just before halftime for a 20-14 Patriots lead. Boutte's 70-yard catch-and-run answered a Falcons field goal in the third, and after a Penix goal-line keeper kept Atlanta alive, Boutte torched the secondary again from 71 yards to close it out.

Defense closes the door

Vrabel's defense bent early but made the night miserable for Penix late, picking him off three times and sacking him once. Craig Woodson, Carlton Davis III, and Kyle Dugger logged interceptions, offsetting big Atlanta nights from Pitts (5-117-1) and Robinson (4-64-1 receiving; 16-80 rushing).

What it means

Coming off their own home loss and a 1-3 skid, the Patriots delivered a complete, mistake-free performance to move to 4-5. The Falcons, fresh off their first loss of the season, drop to 6-2 after a second consecutive stumble against an AFC foe.

By the numbers

Drake Maye led the way for New England, completing 26 of 35 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns without a single interception. He consistently attacked Atlanta's secondary, spreading the ball around before striking deep on two long touchdowns to Kayshon Boutte. Boutte was unstoppable, hauling in five receptions for 166 yards and those two scores, while Stefon Diggs added seven catches for 85 yards to keep the chains moving. The Patriots' passing game generated 362 yards through the air, complemented by 61 yards on the ground in a balanced offensive showing.

For Atlanta, Michael Penix Jr. finished 17 of 38 for 296 yards with two touchdown passes and three costly interceptions. He also added a short rushing touchdown to keep the Falcons within reach. Tight end Kyle Pitts had one of his best games of the year, recording five catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, while Bijan Robinson contributed on both fronts with 16 carries for 80 rushing yards and four receptions for 64 yards and a score. Despite the offensive flashes, Atlanta's turnovers proved too much to overcome against a disciplined Patriots squad.

Up Next

New England heads to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Atlanta travels to the state of Indiana to meet the Indianapolis Colts.