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The Patriots beat the Falcons, but they made it more difficult than necessary

Welcome to the Unconventional Review, an instant reaction to standouts, stats, and story lines from the Patriots’ most recent game …

Here’s something that can be said, with a long exhale, only after the Patriots hang on for a more-difficult-than-necessary win.

Can’t learn from mistakes unless you make a few, right?

Actually, Mike Vrabel — whose patience with his mostly young team has turned out to be a surprising and admirable attribute — put that sentiment perfectly after the 24-23 victory over the Falcons on Sunday.

“We’re going to learn from winning,” said Vrabel, “so that we don’t have to learn from losing.