By: Scott Jackson, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent

What a difference a week makes. A week after losing in New Jersey for the first time since Kelly Ripa replaced Kathie Lee Gifford as Regis’s co-host in early 2001, the team spoiled Boston College alum Matt Ryan’s homecoming with a 26-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Quarterbacks
Sure, Tom Brady only threw for 277 yards and a single touchdown.  But he avoided making costly mistakes, and the team eventually won after he gave a fiery halftime speech.  Brady also improved his play as the game moved on, and poor weather may have effected Brady’s accuracy on deep balls.
My grade: B-

Runningbacks:
New England’s running game put up an effort Frank Gifford (Kathie Lee’s husband) would be proud of.  Fred Taylor ran for over 100 yards, becoming the first Patriot to do so since Sammy Morris against Oakland (who else?) last December. Taylor also punched in the Pats only redzone touchdown of the first half.  Sammy Morris, the closest thing the Patriots have to a fullback, converted a key fourth and one.
My Grade: B+

Receivers/Tight Ends
The good news here is that Randy Moss broke out of his funk from last week, catching ten balls for 116 yards.  But Brady and Moss haven’t gone for six yet this season.  The bad news is that Joey Galloway can’t run routes or catch the ball, once again showing, why the offensively inept Buccaneers cut him this past offseason.  Tight end Chris Baker came up with a key touchdown in the fourth quarter.
My grade: C+

Offensive Line:
Tom Brady had plenty of time to throw the ball Sunday.  Plus, the running game was effective.  What else can you ask for?
My grade:  B+

Defensive Line:
If you told me Vince Wilfork would miss most of the game, and the Pats would still hold Michael Turner to 56 yards, I’d think you’re crazier than Elizabeth Hasselbeck (don’t ask where these talk show references are coming from).  But New England shut down “the burner,” and held a potent offense to just ten points.  The only thing working against this unit is the lack of pressure put on Ryan.
My Grade: B

Linebackers:
Jerod Mayo’s still out, but the defense held together enough to limit the dirty birds to two scores.  The linebacking corps didn’t exactly light-up the stat sheet though, as the three starters racked up just eight tackles total.
My Grade: C

Secondary:
Matt Ryan didn’t throw a single touchdown.  Future hall of fame tight end Tony Gonzalez was held to one catch.  Safety Brandon McGowan forced a fumble, the games only turnover, and fellow safety Brendan Merriweather recovered it.
My grade: B+

Special Teams:
No penalties against this unit, and four field goals from Stephen Gostkowski.  But a lack of big returns, as well as poor kick-off coverage, hurts this unit.
My grade: B

Overall Team Average: B
A win’s a win, but they could’ve done better.  Now go watch the View, to get all my non-sports references (a favorite of my colleague Dan Massar).

Have any questions you want answered, email Scott Jackson and you could see your question in his next mailbag.

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