FOXBOROUGH - Billed as a Super Bowl LI rematch by many, it turned once again into a nightmare for the Falcons.
Super Bowl hangover, perhaps? Atlanta certainly looked like it was in a figurative fog, not just a literal one.
The eerie atmospheric conditions that crept into Gillette Stadium during the game turned Foxborough into Fogs-borough, lending a Halloween-like quality to the proceedings, which seemed to spook the Falcons into some frightening memories of the second half of Super Bowl LI.
"It was an emotional game," admitted safety/co-captain Duron Harmon. "They're a really good football team. It was fun, it was competitive. Games like that, you live for. You wish you could play in games like that each and every week."
"It was an emotional game," left tackle Nate Solder emphasized. "I think we knew they were a good opponent, and we had to come ready to play."
It was odd watching it all unfold, though.
For starters, the Patriots had surrendered 300-yard passers in each of their first six games this season. So, you would have thought Atlanta would have come to Foxborough wanting to throw the football more than they did. Yet, they thought it more judicious to establish the run for much of the contest, predictably on numerous 1st downs.
That wasn't Falcons head coach Dan Quinn's only mystifying decision.
Going for it on 4th-and-long not once, but twice, around midfield? Going 5-wide with 15 seconds to go in the first half, from their own 19-yard line, risking a potential disaster?
What were the Falcons thinking? Whatever the rationale, it wasn't clear (and that had nothing to do with the weather).
New England, meanwhile, played its best game defensively, by far, in 2017.
"Oh, yeah, definitely," Harmon continued. "We played a lot better. It's not perfect. Not even close to being perfect… but it was a start, man. Everybody out there played with confidence, they played fast, they played physical, and that's the reason why we won today."
"No big plays. Tackled well. Communication [improved]," cornerback Malcolm Butler explained. "Just playing smarter and better."
Until Atlanta's star wideout Julio Jones caught a touchdown pass from Matt Ryan – or more accurately, ripped it from Butler's hands – with just over four minutes to go in the game, the Patriots had pitched a shutout on the Falcons dating back to the middle of the third quarter of the Super Bowl back in February.
"Prepared like it was the most important game of our lives. We knew they were talented," declared cornerback Johnson Bademosi, starting for the second straight week in place of injured Stephon Gilmore.
The Patriots offense wasn't nearly at its best, but effective enough, with a balanced attack of Tom Brady throws to seven different receivers and four running backs getting significant carries throughout the night, led by Dion Lewis and his 76 yards.
The New England Patriots take on the Atlanta Falcons in a regular season game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 22, 2017.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on as he makes his way to the field prior to a week 7 NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets pumped up as he runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets pumped up as he runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets pumped up as he runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady greets members of the U.S. military along the sideline before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady greets members of the U.S. military along the sideline before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo, left, and Tom Brady speak while warming up before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, and teammates stand during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, passes under pressure from Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Dontari Poe (92) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal, rear, tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, passes under pressure from Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) and safety Keanu Neal (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan calls signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) tackles New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass in front of Atlanta Falcons linebacker Duke Riley (42) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The play was nullified on an offensive pass interference penalty by Gronkowski. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass in front of Atlanta Falcons linebacker Duke Riley (42) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The play was nullified on an offensive pass interference penalty by Gronkowski. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal (22) tackles New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) attempts a field goal, which was blocked, during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots players scramble for the ball after the Patriots blocked a field goal attempt during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates his touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, celebrates his touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks, left, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks runs for the goal and a touchdown after catching a pass from Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks, center, follows Rob Gronkowski (87) toward the goal line and a touchdown after catching a pass from Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks, center, follows Rob Gronkowski (87) toward the goal line and a touchdown after catching a pass from Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks dives across the goal line for a touchdown after catching a pass from Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks, left, celebrates his touchdown catch of a pass from Tom Brady during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes under pressure from New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler celebrates after sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler, right, sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady signals to a receiver as he rolls out to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes under pressure from Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots defenders stop Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets a lift from center David Andrews to celebrate his touchdown pass to James White during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, right, watches his field goal against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Fog hovers over the field during the first half of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass as Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass as Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Fog settles over the field as side judge Adrian Hill works along the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung, left, and cornerback Johnson Bademosi (29) defend as Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones goes up for a pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) celebrates in the end zone with teammates after breaking up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead runs as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford, rear, defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead, front, runs from Atlanta Falcons defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia talks to players as they warm up before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, left, makes a touchdown catch over New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs in the fog as Atlanta Falcons defensive back Blidi Wreh-Wilson (33) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
(Editors note: Image has been converted to Black and White) A general view of play is seen during a week 7 NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons against the New England Patriots Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 23-7. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks to teammates on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates during a week 7 NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 23-7. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady checks his phone as he waits to speak to the media following an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Falcons, 23-7. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws from the pocket during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Falcons, 23-7. (Ryan Kang via AP)
"We've got a great group of guys. Everybody can make plays," Lewis said of the running back committee. "The running game definitely helps the whole team. It helps set up the passing game. It's a big part of what we're trying to do."
That was certainly true against Atlanta, as the Patriots ran slightly more times than they threw the ball and accumulated 162 yards of offense on the ground.
"It's great. We've got so many backs that can do multiple things," observed Burkhead, who saw his first game action since sustaining a rib injury in Week 2. "When you have that versatility, it really helps us out as an offense. We love that. We compete with each other, but we're the first ones there to root for one another when we make a big play. It was fun tonight to see everyone get their foot in the door."
For three weeks now, New England has averaged 22 points per game, down from the 33 it was posting in the first month of the season. However, despite a slower-than-expected start to this season, the Patriots appear to be solidifying some areas of deficiency on defense and have kept opponents to fewer than 20 points over the recent three-game span.
"Everything we didn't want to do, we did in those [first few] weeks, and we learned from it," added Harmon. "We're starting to do our job more consistently. That's the only thing I can really say. Our consistency is a lot better – whether it's calling the plays, our techniques, communication. Everything is more consistent and it allows us to play faster."
"Offense did a great job of keeping us off the field and taking time off the clock, running the ball. The DBs covered their [tails] off, special teams played well. Big game for everybody," said DE Cassius Marsh, who provided a big play of his own with a blocked field goal attempt.
This so-called rematch might not have had any trophies at stake, but it proved pivotal, perhaps, for the reigning champions' overall confidence, which had taken a hit to start this season.
"It's a game we can definitely build off of," stated Solder. "I think we did a lot of good things. I know I played better and I know that's the way I want to play, and I want to keep doing that."
"If anything," Harmon concluded, "we're sending a message to ourselves, letting us know if we play consistent and do things the right way, it's going to be hard for teams to move the ball on us, hard for teams to beat us."
