The New England Patriots will reach the halfway mark of their schedule on Sunday, and through the first half of the season it seems fair to say that the six-time Super Bowl winners have been the most surprising team in the NFL. After winning just four games in each of the last two seasons the Patriots’ enter Sunday’s Week 9 game in first place in the AFC East riding a five-game winning streak.
The team they will need to beat in order to make it six was, eight years ago, one of the six victims of the Patriots Super Bowl run. New England staged a historic comeback from 25 points down in the third quarter to defeat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime, 34-28.
But that was a long time ago, in football years. The two teams renew their rivalry on Sunday, but on Friday the Patriots got some news that will make their quest for six victories in a row, keeping a grip on first place in their division, more difficult.
Penix to Make Return Against Patriots
Last week, Falcons second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. â Atlanta’s first-round draft pick, eighth overall out of Washington in 2024 â sat out the team’s game against the Miami Dolphins with a bone bruise, giving way to 14-year veteran Kirk Cousins.
The result, Miami’s second win of the year, by a one-sided score of 34-10.
Will the Patriots be able to take advantage of another Penix absence on Sunday?
According to a report by Pro Football Talk, the answer is no. Penix was removed from Atlanta’s injury report on Friday.
“Via multiple reporters, Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris told reporters that Penix will start Sundayâs game against the Patriots,” Pro Football Talk reported. “In six games this season, Penix has completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,409 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions.”
Receiver Drake London Also in Action
Penix participated in Friday’s Falcons practice without limitations â as did wide receiver Drake London who sat out the Dolphins game with a hip injury.
With the return of both Penix and London, the Patriots defense, ranked fifth in NFL in points allowed per game with just 18.25, faces a significant challenge against the Falcons, who are 3-3 with both Penix and London active.
“London is one of the best wide receivers in the game this season and could certainly be a thorn in New Englandâs side as they seek a sixth consecutive win,” wrote Kaley Brown of Boston.com on Friday. “Pro Football Focus ranked the 24-year-old the sixth-ranked WR in the NFL ahead of Week 9. London has caught 38 passes on 63 targets (60.3 percent), registered 20 first down catches, is averaging 78.2 yards per game (ninth-best in the NFL), and has caught two touchdowns through six games played.”
Patriots Missing Top Running Back
For the Patriots, only fifth-year running back Rhamondre Stevenson has been ruled out, as of Friday’s injury report. Stevenson is suffering from an unspecified toe injury.
That means rookie TreVeyon Henderson will take the lead running back role for the first time in his career, paired only with practice squad elevation Terrell Jennings.
“Mondre has been such a great vet, just leading by example. He’s done a good job helping me and Terrell learn and grow as players,” Henderson said Friday, as quoted by ESPN. “We’re definitely going to give it everything we got in honor of Mondre. We know he’d love to be out on the field.”
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