FOXBORO — For most of the season, the Patriots defense could point to that old cliché.

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It’s not how you start, but how you finish.

Over their first eight games, the Pats habitually allowed opponents to score on their opening series, then firmed up to play some of the best second-half defense in the NFL. But Sunday against the Falcons, the inverse was true.

And it almost cost them a win.

After forcing Atlanta to punt on its first two drives, the Patriots survived a 24-23 close call in Foxboro despite allowing two fourth-quarter scores. The Falcons kicked a field goal, then struck for a late touchdown before a missed extra point and untimely penalty on the ensuing drive ultimately proved to be the difference.

Pats outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson tallied the defense’s only sack and credited the unit’s persistence after the win.

“Grit and just a ‘next play’ mentality, for sure,” Chaisson said. “Obviously, they made some plays when they had to. They have some key playmakers. The receivers made some decent plays, just keeping the drive going. So, every time we get back to the sideline, we’re finding ways to get the drive stop, get off the field, and keep surviving.”

For the final seven and a half minutes, surviving meant playing without star cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who sustained a head injury. Without him, the Pats allowed Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (22-of-37 for 222 yards, 3 TDs) to reach midfield on his last series with under three minutes left. Penix fired incomplete on first down, then defensive tackle Milton Williams was hurried into an intentional grounding penalty and threw a deep incompletion on third-and-20.

“I think both their guards (were) out, so their communication might have been off,” defensive tackle Milton Williams said. “One probably tapped (the center) or something, but I’m going off the ball. I was already down, ready to go. Shoot, he snapped it, and I (was) gone.”

Penix had to pass partly because the Patriots bottled up Pro Bowl running back Bijan Robinson, who led Atlanta with 46 rushing yards. For nine straight weeks, the Pats haven’t allowed an opposing player to run for more than 50, an NFL record dating back to 1950. Inside linebacker and captain Robert Spillane explained his defense’s dominance on the ground post-game.

“It’s a mindset. It’s a willingness to stop the run at all costs,” Spillane said. “All 11 players on the field being dedicated to stopping the run game. If you have one corner that doesn’t want to tackle, those runs turn into big runs.”

The Patriots will now take their top-10 defense by points allowed and several advanced metrics to Tampa Bay, where the 6-2 Buccaneers are coming off a bye.