I was wondering if Belichick picked SP's brain at some point the last 2 weeks. They have a good relationship and I would expect he would talk to SP a little since we play them twice a year.
It's almost like NE channeled Ali and played Rope-A-Dope with Atlanta's D.
By the time the 4th qtr came along, Atlanta's D was worn out - esp since Atlanta's O was pitiful in not using up some of the clock to give the D some rest.