Here are the Falcons’ grades for the 30-23 loss to the New England Patriots at the Georgia Dome on Sunday.

With the Patriots up 13-10, things went downhill pretty fast after Tom Brady converted on a third-and-19 from the Falcons’ 12-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

With the Falcons rushing three and dropping eight, Brady had enough time to read a book before tossing a 26-yard dart to Kenbrell Thompkins (who?) for the first down.

On top of the conversion, safety William Moore went for the kill-shot (We Love Willie Mo!) and he was called for a weak helmet hit on Thompkins. BTW, Willie Mo is expecting a fine from the league.

Then, on the very next play, running back LeGarrette, a refugee from Tampa Bay, made like Earl Campbell, and raced for a 47-yard touchdown. The Falcons called it a “missed-fit.” (Someone got knocked out of the gap they were supposed to control. Translation: They got blocked by the Patriots.)

GAME BALL: (My man Michael Cunningham called for no game balls!) But Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez had 12 catches for a career-high 149 yards receiving and two touchdowns. He didn’t come out of retirement for a 1-3 start! The Birds have to circle the wagons and step it up!

C – Quarterbacks:  Matt Ryan completed 34 of 54 passes for 421 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He had a passer rating of 91.7. He was sacked twice and was hit five times. He leaned heavily on Gonzalez and Julio Jones, who caught six passes on 13 targets. Jones finished with 108 yards receiving. Ryan missed on some key throws, but it’s clear he’s not happy with his shaky protection.  When Lamar Holmes came in for the injured Baker, Ice had his hands on his hips and wouldn’t even look at the struggling second-year player.

C  – Running backs: Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling combined to rush for 58 yards on 15 carries for a 3.9 yards per carry average. Once the Falcons got behind 30-13, they had to abandon the run game.

C — Wide receivers/Tight ends: Gonzalez and Julio Jones had strong games. The Falcons tried to get Roddy White rolling with nine targets, but he only caught three passes for 28 yards. Harry Douglas was strong with five catches on six targets for 68 yards. Levine Toilolo needed to step up and make a tough catch in the end zone, but didn’t.

F  — Offensive Line: Sam Baker tried to go. But it was no surprise when his left knee buckled and he had to depart the game. Baker is a fighter, but he stalled one drive on his own. Holmes was pressed back into action and doesn’t seem to fight very hard after the initial contact. Right guard Garrett Reynolds got knocked back into the ball carrier on one play and some guy named Joe Vellano got a key sack while coming between the Reynolds-Peter Konz gap. The line received a break with Vince Wilfork’s injury, but couldn’t take advantage of the backup.

F -- Defensive line:  Has anybody seen Osi Umenyiora? The great ones come up with a sack when the team needs one. On the third-and-19 from New England’s 12, the Falcons needed a sack. He didn’t get it. Also, after the game he was nowhere to be found. He must be embarrassed by his play as he’s been regularly hiding out from the media. Come on Osi! Defensive line coach Ray Hamilton’s crew had no sacks and just three quarterback hits.  They also were not stout in the run game.

F — Linebackers: The Falcons tried to use their 3-4 with Osi and Joplo Bartu (as Biermann) as the outside linebackers. Akeem Dent and Paul Worrilow started as the inside linebackers. Worrilow got the start over Stephen Nicholas. The Patriots gashed the run defense for 132 yards on 31 carries for a respectable 4.3 yards per carry. Blount’s 47-yard touchdown run was inexcusable. Dent got hurt on the play and had to receive medical treatment after the game. It could be Nicholas and Worrilow at inside linebacker against the Jets.

F — Defensive backs:  Kenbrell Thompkins caught six passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. Who is Kenbrell Thompkins? According to Wiki he’s “an American football wide reciever for the New England Patriots of the National Football League  (NFL). He played colllege football  for El Camino Community College  from 2008 to 2009 and Cincinnati from 2011 to 2012.” That’s bad. I went to Cincinnati’s College of Law and I didn’t know him until Sunday. The Mighty Bearcat was strong. Julian Edelman had his way with nickel back Robert McClain as he caught seven passes for 118 yards.  

B — Special teams:  Matt Bryant rebounded from his miss in Miami with a strong effort. He’s getting over-worked as the red zone offense continues to struggle (7 of 19 on the season). The team recovered an onsides kick to keep hope alive late.

 F -- Coaches:  They get an A for effort. The group is working really hard, but are not getting any results. Head coach Mike Smith is needlessly taking ownership for execution issues. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is throwing passes in short yardage situations and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who was seen storming out of the locker room, was clearly embarrassed by the third-and-19 conversion.

NEXT UP: The Falcons (1-3) host Rex Ryan and the New York Jets (2-2) at 8:40 p.m. on Monday Night Football at the Georgia Dome.

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