The New England Patriots have not qualified for the NFL playoffs since the 2021 season, their longest such drought since the early 90s. However, all signs point toward them ending their three-year streak of missing the postseason in 2025: currently sitting at 7-2 and as the second seed in the AFC — one who will be facing a favorable schedule down the stretch — the team of head coach Mike Vrabel is as close a playoff lock as any team in football right now.

Expert recap and game analysis of the New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons NFL game from November 2, 2025 on ESPN.

The surging New England Patriots return to Gillette Stadium on Sunday for a Week 9 matchup with the unpredictable Atlanta Falcons.

The Atlanta Falcons have been inconsistent all season long, and that trend continued in Sunday's 24-23 loss to the New England Patriots. The offense went 1-for-10 on third down, the defense didn't show up until it was too late, and the Falcons now sit at 3-5 for the season.

This football season, Cardi B is to the New England Patriots what Taylor Swift is to the Kansas City Chiefs: their head WAG. On November 2, the star made her NFL debut while her boyfriend, Stefon Diggs, defeated the Atlanta Falcons.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have gotten off to a great start, reaching 6-2 before the bye week to position themselves well for a second-half-of-the-season push tow