Analysis

With the news that wide receiver Wes Welker (knee) is inactive for the second straight week, the Patriots will only suit up four wide receivers for the third straight game, with one of them being special teams captain Sam Aiken.

That might not be as big an issue because of the wet weather, which could make it more of a running day any way. On a rainy day suited to running, tight end Michael Matthew is active for the first time, giving the Patriots three tight ends.

The good news is that Randy Moss is in the lineup despite not practicing on Friday with a back injury. With the Falcons suspect secondary, simply having the threat of Moss could open things up underneath for the other receivers, including rookie Julian Edelman, who will reprise his Welker slot role today.

Defensively, the Patriots are going to be shorthanded at cornerback without both rookie Darius Butler, who came down with a thigh injury during practice on Friday, and Jonathan Wilhite, who wasn't on the injury report but is inactive, not available.

That leaves Leigh Bodden, Shawn Springs and Terrence Wheatley as the only true cornerbacks to take on Atlanta's tandem of Roddy White and Michael Jenkins.

That could open up an opportunity for Wheatley, who has been nursing a knee injury, to play a lot, especially if the Patriots decide they want to use Springs to help cover Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez at times.

Once again the Patriots are thin at inside linebacker as new addition Prescott Burgess is not active. That leaves Gary Guyton and Adalius Thomas as the only real viable options inside and portends a lot of 4-3 looks and probably a lot of nickel with a safety down in the box as a pseudo-linebacker.

Also, special teams ace/safety Matthew Slater, who suffered a left elbow injury in the final preseason game on Sept. 3, is active for the first time. That gave the Patriots six safeties.