The 1-2 Atlanta Falcons are looking to knock off the New England Patriots, who are undefeated, at the Georgia Dome for Sunday Night Football. Here are some facts and tidbits about the matchup:
- Sunday night's game marks the 13th meeting between the two clubs with the all-time series split at six games each.
- The Patriots won the last meeting, taking a 26-10 win at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro
- The all-time regular season series between the Falcons and Patriots is tied at 6-6
- Falcons CB Asante Samuel was drafted by the Patriots in 2003 and spent five seasons in New England. Patriots T Will Svitek played three seasons in Atlanta from 2009-11
- Through three games, the Falcons have seen 46.7 percent of their runs gaining four-or-more yards, which is the fifth highest percentage in the NFL.
- Since 2010, the Falcons have scored 328 points off of turnovers, which is the second-highest total in the NFL during that time span behind the New England Patriots (406).
- Week 3 marked Osi Umenyiora's 17th multi-sack game. His teams are 12-5 when he posts two-or-more sacks.
- Through three games, Atlanta's defense is holding opponents to 79.0 yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry, which puts the Falcons back in the top 10 in terms of run defense.
- P Matt Bosher has kicked off 16 times this season with 12 touchbacks. Falcons' opponents have posted an average starting position of the 19.3 yard line after kickoffs through three games.
- Since 2008, the Falcons have posted a 34-7 record at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons 34-7 record at home is the best mark in the NFC during that span and is the third best home record in the NFL over the last six seasons.
- Head coach Mike Smith's record against the AFC during the regular season is 16-5. Also, Smith currently has a 8-4 record during the regular season for night games (8 p.m. ET)
- Falcons defensive line coach Ray Hamilton spent his entire nine-year NFL playing career in New England. He has also had a pair of coaching stints with the Patriots.
