FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — It was late in the first quarter when one play signified this game was going to be different from the last time the Patriots and Falcons met, in Super Bowl LI. And in the process, it may have helped change the course of this season for New England.
As Falcons running back Tevin Coleman went left, a hole parted for a millisecond, only to be closed by Pats corner Malcolm Butler, who came crashing in, hitting Coleman square in the lower body with both shoulders. Coleman flew through the air, twisting like helicopter blades. It was a gorgeous, nasty tackle, and the tone was set.