New England Patriots' Leading Wide Receiver Kayshon Boutte Injured in Narrow Win Over Atlanta Falcons

The New England Patriots extended their winning streak to six games by narrowly defeating the Atlanta Falcons 24-23 at Gillette Stadium, despite multiple late-game opportunities missed by Atlanta. The Falcons struggled with key moments, including a missed extra point and a costly intentional grounding penalty, but their defense shined with six sacks on Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Maye, enduring significant pressure, still delivered several explosive plays, including connecting with DeMario Douglas for a 58-yard catch, marking Douglas's first career 100-yard game. However, the Patriots faced a setback when wide receiver Kayshon Boutte exited early with a hamstring injury, which could impact the team's offense moving forward. Boutte had been a significant offensive weapon for the Patriots in 2025, with 23 receptions for 431 yards and five touchdowns before the injury, and his absence was felt despite contributions from other receivers like Stefon Diggs and Douglas. Head coach Mike Vrabel highlighted Boutte's improved communication and hard work, underscoring his importance to the team's dynamic passing attack.