The New England Patriots hung on by their fingernails, needing a missed extra point by second-year kicker Parker Romo, to beat the Atlanta Falcons 24-23 on Sunday. The win was the Patriots’ sixth straight and ensured that New England would remain in first place in the AFC East for at least another week.
In fact, at 7-2 after Sunday’s win, the Patriots are now tied for the best record in the NFL, and would be the No. 3 seed in the conference due to tiebreakers with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, both also 7-2, if the playoffs began after Week 9.
The win, however, was costly one for the Patriots as they suffered injuries to three key players. Former LSU standout wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who has emerged as Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s top wide receiver option, exited in the second quarter with what was reported as a hamstring injury. Boutte was ruled out.
Fifth-year linebacker Christian Elliss was also forced to depart in the second quarter due to an injury to his hip.
All-Pro Corner Heads to Medical Tent
And then there was All-Pro Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots cornerback who in 2023 was legendary coach Bill Belichick’s final first-round draft pick, was taken to the blue medical tent on the Patriots sideline in the fourth quarter and never returned to the game with an unspecified injury
While updates on Boutte and Elliss were not available after the game, Gonzalez delivered his own update on his condition, appearing on the podium during post-game press availabilities.
The 23-year-old No. 17 overall draft pick was apparently hurt while contesting a deep pass from Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix to the Falcons top receiver, Drake London. Both players leaped for the ball, and though Gonzalez appeared to first get his hands on it, it was London who came down with the reception.
But London landed directly on top of Gonzalez who, who stayed on the ground after the play. Eventually, Gonzalez rose and exited the game. The Patriots soon acknowledged that Gonzalez had suffered a head injury.
Gonzalez Gives Own Injury Update
Gonzalez put the Patriots fears to rest when he showed up at the podium after the game.
âIt was a good route, good coverage. Itâs two big time players fighting for the ball. He came down with it, but Iâm glad we got the win,â Gonzalez told reporters, as quoted by Patriots beat writer Andrew Callahan in a report for the Boston Herald. âI just landed on my head. Just have to be careful with that, but Iâm good.â
Patriots fans could breathe a huge sigh of relief over the Gonzalez self-update on his injury. The star cornerback who has started five games for New England since recovering from a hamstring strain suffered in training camp, has become “the face of the Patriots defense, according to Patriots writer Sara Marshall of Musket Fire.
“He has been the most talented player on their roster, and receivers don’t fare well against him, Marshall wrote. “So the fact that he had to leave this week’s game early, which allowed for another touchdown to London, is not great for the Patriots’ chances, nor their future if Gonzalez has to miss any time.”
Fortunately, at least according to Gonzalez himself, the injury should not force him to sit out next week.
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