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Dillon “Big Dill” Smith here, and Foxborough served up a one-point thriller. New England jumped the Falcons early, with Drake Maye dialing up a smooth day — 19/29, 259 yards, 2 TD — hitting DeMario Douglas for a 16-yard spark and Stefon Diggs from 11 out. Terrell Jennings muscled in a short score, and even after a late first-half strip-sack set Atlanta up, the Pats carried a 21-14 edge into the break and nudged it to 24-14 with a third-quarter boot.

Atlanta’s counterpunch? A two-man duet. Michael Penix Jr. stayed poised — 22/37, 221 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT — and kept feeding his alpha. Drake London was a walking problem: 9 catches, 118 yards, 3 TD. He ripped a 40-yard grab to light the fourth-quarter fuse, then cashed an 8-yard score with 4:44 left. But the football gods can be cruel — Parker Romo pushed the PAT wide, and that one sliver of a point ended up the whole story: Patriots 24, Falcons 23.

From there, the Pats leaned on field position and composure. Bryce Baringer uncorked a 60-yard moonshot to pin Atlanta late, and the ground crew did just enough — TreVeyon Henderson (14 for 55) and Jennings (11 for 35 and a TD) — to bleed the clock. Douglas kept defenses honest with a clean 4 for 100 and a TD, while Atlanta’s rush and a Jessie Bates III takeaway only translated into three points after the break.

One quick nugget from the wire: with Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined (toe), New England’s young backs carried the load — and it was just enough. (espn.com)

Big Dill of the Game: Drake London. Three tuddy takeover, big-time routes, and he nearly stole this one by himself. That’s a star’s outing, even in a heartbreaker. This is Big Dill Sports — where ballin’ is a big dill — catch you next time!