Effort of the defense was again just a bit too one-sided
ATLANTA -- The Patriots held Atlanta to just 116 yards rushing yesterday, nearly 100 yards under the Falcons' season average.
''Last week we were sort of embarrassed at what [San Diego] was able to accomplish, and I think guys stepped up and tried to play more physical, more aggressive," linebacker Rosevelt Colvin said. ''Collectively, everybody did a better job at their roles."
But Falcons reserve quarterback Matt Schaub burned New England for 298 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Schaub completed 18 of 34 passes, and had two receivers dominate the Patriots' secondary.
Brian Finneran caught five passes for 103 yards and tight end Alge Crumpler had six receptions for 99 yards and a score.
''We need to be more consistent on defense," linebacker Willie McGinest said. ''We're still giving up too many big plays."
New England's secondary also committed a couple of penalties.
''We just kept on pushing," safety Eugene Wilson said. ''That's going to happen in every game. You just got to let those plays go and keep moving on, and that's what we did today."
Corner Asante Samuel got beat on consecutive plays late in the game -- a touchdown to Dez White and a Finneran 2-point conversion to tie the game.
''That's part of being a defensive back, you make some good plays and you make some bad plays," Samuel said. ''Sometimes [the offense] might make a bad play and it's our job to go out there and make up for what they did. Today they had our backs."
He's a blockhead
Guard Stephen Neal had a monster block to jump-start a screen pass that tight end Daniel Graham turned into a 45-yard touchdown.
Neal said the Patriots have run a screen calling for him to make the first clearing block at least three times this season, and he had yet to get to the defender.
''Finally, finally, I was able to get the one guy I was supposed to get," he said. ''Knocking someone on their butt is an offensive lineman's dream. Every once in a while you get to do it."
Getting there almost got him injured. Graham hit his teammate in the head when he jumped over him to get upfield.
''I felt something hit me in the helmet, and I looked up and saw his legs and said, 'Oh, man, I hope I didn't trip this guy up,' " Neal said.
Graham said he didn't notice that he almost took Neal out. He does remember driving through Falcons cornerback Bryan Scott at the 15-yard line en route to the end zone.
''I just wanted to give him a little something for being in the way," Graham said.
Brown milestone
Troy Brown had only one catch but managed to move into sole possession of second place on the franchise's all-time receptions list. He has 491 catches and trails only Stanley Morgan (534) . . . Atlanta closed to within 14-13 at the half thanks to a wild sequence with rookie punter Matt Koenen trying two 58-yard field goals. Koenen's first attempt was definitely long enough, but just right. However, the Patriots called a timeout before the snap, allowing him another try. This time his boot cleared the crossbar by a couple of yards. Koenen's kick, the first field goal try of his career, is the second longest in Falcons history, and the longest ever against the Patriots. Philadelphia's David Akers made a 57-yarder against New England Sept. 14, 2003 . . . The Patriots stressed getting off to a fast start against the Falcons, who had outscored foes, 55-3, in the first quarter in their last 10 home games. New England didn't move the ball on its first drive, but scored the next two times to take a 14-0 first-quarter lead. ''To set the tempo, we really wanted to score early and score often," said receiver Deion Branch, whose 51-yard catch ignited the first touchdown drive.
McGinest hurts hand
Sources close to McGinest say he broke his hand during the game, but it is unclear how the injury will affect his availability. He was wearing a soft cast afterward . . . Atlanta linebacker Ed Hartwell could miss the rest of the season after suffering an Achilles' tendon injury, while backup cornerback Chris Cash suffered a possible broken arm . . . Bethel Johnson was asked if he was completely recovered from an offseason foot injury that cost him the entire training camp. ''If I wasn't at full speed, honestly, I wouldn't even be out there, because I'm not good if I'm not full speed," he said. Johnson's 55-yard touchdown catch was just the fourth of his career. He has been in on fewer than 10 offensive plays this season. ''I haven't done anything," Johnson said. ''I'm still going out every day proving myself, even to get an opportunity like that. I have to show them that I can make the play if I'm out there. I haven't been there. I've been gone. Thank God I'm healed, healthy, and fine. And I'm going on." . . . Defensive tackle Richard Seymour headed the list of inactive players for the Patriots. Jarvis Green started in his place and the Patriots ran a 3-4 alignment throughout the game. Three cornerbacks -- Tyrone Poole (ankle), Randall Gay (ankle), and Chad Scott (hand/shoulder) -- missed the game with injuries . . . Rookie safety James Sanders played for the first time, though his first play in the NFL was a little scary. Sanders was on the opening kickoff coverage and staggered off the field slowly after taking a spill. ''I landed a little awkward on the play, nothing too bad, I just had to shake it off and keep playing," he said . . . Tom Brady improved to 9-0 indoors, including Super Bowl victories in New Orleans (2002) and Houston (2004) . . . Adam Vinatieri is now 34 of 36 on indoor field goal attempts . . . Patrick Pass scored on a 6-yard touchdown run, the first TD run of his career. Pass, a native of Tucker, Ga., northeast of Atlanta, scored his first NFL TD on a reception Dec. 22, 2001 . . . The Patriots moved linebacker Eric Alexander from the practice squad to their active roster, and released guard Gene Mruczkowski. Ron Borges of the Globe Staff contributed to this report.
