The Falcons just knotted the game at 10 when running back Michael Turner plunged in from two yards out. The play was the culmination of an eight-play, 59-yard drive that took up 2:58, and tied the score with 8:43 left in the first half. The key play on the drive was a 21-yard connection from Matt Ryan to wide receiver Michael Jenkins, a sweet pass that Ryan delivered in a spot where only Jenkins was able to get it. Great play.

Veteran running back Fred Taylor just dashed in from eight yards out with 11:41 left in the first half to make the score 10-3, Patriots. The touchdown put the capper on a six-play, 51-yard drive that took up 2:29, a sequence that was keyed by some impressive work by Taylor, who set up his score with an impressive 19-yard burst where he was able to make something out of nothing, powering his way for extra yardage. A nice drive for the Patriots, and a really nice drive for Taylor, who now has 41 rushing yards on the afternoon.

A 21-yard field goal from Stephen Gostkowski with 42 seconds left in the first quarter tied the game at three. The Patriots were able to move the ball easily up and down the field — quarterback Tom Brady had plenty of time to throw, and was 5-for-7 for 44 yards in his first series, a 15-play, 81-yard sequence that consumed 8:39 and ended with Gostkowski’s field goal.

The points are nice, but it marks another blown red-zone opportunity for New England — it is now 3-for-9 in touchdown opportunities in the red zone this season.

The Patriots starting offense was as follows:

QB: Tom Brady
TE: Chris Baker, Benjamin Watson
RB: Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris
OL: Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Stephen Neal, Nick Kaczur

A 26-yard field goal from Jason Elam with 9:21 left in the first quarter gives the Falcons a 3-0 lead. The field goal put the exclamation point on a 12-play, 72-yard drive that consumed 5:39. Atlanta appeared to move the ball fairly easily on its first drive, but things stalled out for the Falcons in the red zone.

The Patriots starting defense was as follows:

DL: Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Mike Wright, Jarvis Green
LB: Adalius Thomas, Gary Guyton, Derrick Burgess
DB: Leigh Bodden, Brandon McGowan, Shawn Springs, Brandon Meriweather

FOXBOROUGH – Tight end Michael Matthews is active for the first time since being picked up by the Patriots in the preseason.

Matthews, who started in a double-tight end set for the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, gives the Patriots three active tight ends for today’s game, joining Chris Baker and Ben Watson. This could be an indication the Patriots could be looking for more protection for Brady and running the ball more.

Matthews played two seasons in New York before being acquired from the Giants on Sept. 5 for an undisclosed draft pick.