New England quarterback Tom Brady is breaking in some new receivers and has become frustrated at times this season.
In the second quarter of a 13-10 win over the New York Jets, he had a meltdown after an incompletion.
“I don’t think that we’ve really played to our level of expectations yet,” said Brady, who’ll be the X-Factor for Sunday night’s battle with the Falcons (1-2). “We are trying to get there. Hopefully, this is a week where we can play at our best because we’re going to need it.”
The Patriots eked out victories over the Bills and the Jets before pounding the Buccaneers (23-3).
Brady is worried about a desperate Falcons defense.
“They challenge you in every area,” said Brady, a two-time NFL MVP who has three Super Bowl rings. “They challenge you in the run game. They challenge you in the pass game. They have a lot of scheme plays. They have talented players at every position. They play well at home. It’s going to take everything that we’ve got.”
The Patriots are trying to replace wide receivers Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd and Deion Branch, tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez and running back Danny Woodhead. Those six caught 354 of 401 of Brady’s completions in 2012.
Hernandez is in jail after being indicted for murder. The Falcons believe that Gronkowski (back/forearm) has a chance to play. Wide receiver Danny Amendola (groin), who was limited in practice, also may return.
“It’s going to be a great game to see where we are at and how we measure up to one of the best teams in the NFL,” Brady said.
The Falcons’ defense shined against elite quarterbacks last season. They posted victories over Denver’s Peyton Manning (three interceptions), New Orleans’ Drew Brees (five interceptions) and the New York Giants’ Eli Manning (two interceptions).
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