Patriots May Be Without Moss and Welker Against Falcons On Sunday

NFL News - September 26th, 2009 - Written by Jimmy

If last week wasn't rough enough for the New England Patriots, they may be facing the Atlanta Falcons without some of their key components.

Listed as questionable for Sunday's game, WRs Wes Welker and Randy Moss missed Friday's practice, and it is unknown at this time if they will play.

Wes Welker missed last week's game against the New York Jets, a game in which the Patriots lost 9 to 16. Welker, who has only played one game, is a key cog in the New England offense. In one game, this year, Welker managed to catch 12 passes totaling 93 yards, in a win against the Buffalo Bills. Welker is currently nursing a knee injury.

The Patriots' home run threat, Randy Moss, is dealing with back issues. The New England receiver did well in week 1, catching 12 passes for 141 yards, in the win against Buffalo. Week 2 was tougher for Moss, only catching 4 passes for 24 yards.

As usual, the New England Patriots' injury report is a mystery. No one can work a NFL injury report quite like Bill Belichick and sometimes it can be difficult to establish the truth.

These two injuries are a little bit less of a mystery. It is well known that neither Randy Moss, nor Wes Welker participated in practice Friday. Generally, when players miss practice on Friday, they usually don't play on Sundays.

Oddsmakers don't really feel as though this is going to be an issue, as the lines have only gone further towards the Patriots. Previously, odds had listed the Patriots as 4 point favorites. Since then, the lines at BetUS have moved to 4 1/2 points, going to the Falcons.

Earlier in the week, the over/under was set at 44 points. Since then, that number has risen to 46 1/2 points.

With changes like that, either the oddsmakers know something, or the sportsbooks are totally off.

The game will take place at 1pm EST, from Gillette Stadium, in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

The official injury report on whether or not Moss and Welker will play should come about an hour before kickoff. Fantasy football owners will want to be sure to pay attention as the report is announced.

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