Pats Nip Falcons; Keep Hopes Alive

The New England Patriots beat the point spread and kept their slim hopes for a playoff berth alive with a 16-10 win over the defensively awesome Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta yesterday.

Leading 6-0 at the half, the Pats got one more John Smith field goal before offensive turnovers led to a 10-9 Atlanta lead in the fourth quarter. Then, with less than three minutes to play. Patriot quarterback Steve Grogan hit rookie Stanley Morgan with a 33-yard touchdown pass for the Pats eighth win.