On Thursday night, the 6-6 New England Patriots travel to SOFI Stadium to take on the 8-4 LA Rams.
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2020
Game Time: 8:20 PM EST
Venue: SOFI Stadium, LA
Network: CBS
All-time record: Patriots lead series 9-5-0 (including playoffs)
When They Last Met…
Patriots 13-3 Rams
February 3, 2019
Super Bowl LIII
Yes, that’s right, the last time these team’s faced off was in Atlanta at Super Bowl LIII.
The Rams made it to the Championship Game in dubious circumstances following the NFC Championship game against the Saints and that infamous PI no call. The Patriots on the other hand needed overtime to see the Chiefs in one of the best football games I’ve ever seen.
The Pats got off to a bad start on their first drive as Tom Brady’s pass intended for Chris Hogan was intercepted by Corey Littleton. Patriots then got the ball back and put together a nice drive before stalling, Stephen Gostkowski’s field goal went wide left.
Into the second quarter, the score remained at 0-0 and the Patriots were back with the ball after trading possessions with the Rams. With the ball, Brady found Edelman and Gronk on the drive, before having to settle for another field goal attempt. This time, Gost nailed it from 42-yards. Each team punted a few more times and that was it for the first half. HT Patriots 3-0 Rams
After both teams had back to back punts to start the third-quarter, LA got their chance to finally get on the scoreboard themselves, but they had to settle for three points as Greg Zuerlein nailed a 53-yarder.
Into the fourth-quarter now tied, the Patriots got the ball once more following another Rams punt, and you know what happens next…
Brady to Gronk for 19-yards, Brady to Edelman for 13-yards, Brady to Burkhead for 7-yards, Brady to Gronk for 29-yards, his final catch as a Patriot. The next play, from 2-yards out, Sony Michel ran it in for the first and last touchdown of the Super Bowl.
The next drive, a shaken Goff threw the ball up for Brandin Cooks that was intercepted by Stephon Gilmore. The Patriots had some great runs on the next drive to bleed to clock down but were stopped deep into LA field, Gost, for a 10 point lead, hammered home the game-clinching field goal.
The Rams tried to get a quick field goal and onside kick in the final minute, but Zuerlein’s was no good. The Patriots had won their sixth Super Bowl title.
Performances
NE
QB Tom Brady 21/35 – 262 YDS – 1 INT
RB Sony Michel 18 ATT – 94 YDS – 1 TD
WR Julian Edelman 10/12 – 141 YDS – SUPER BOWL MVP
TE Rob Gronkowski 6/7 – 87 YDS
CB Stephon Gilmore – 1 INT
K Stephen Gostkowski 1/1 2/3
LAR
QB Jared Goff 19/38 – 229 YDS – 1 INT
WR Brandin Cooks – 8/13 – 120 YDS
How The Patriots Win
The Rams aren’t the same team that faced the Patriots in the Super Bowl a couple of years ago. Whilst they do still have some firepower on offense, they’ve struggled at times this season, but, they still sit 8-4 as we near the end of the regular season.
The Rams on paper are the better team out of the two, but this is a winnable game for the Pats. Firstly, they need to establish some sort of running game tomorrow. It won’t be like how they ran over the other LA team on Sunday, but without, they’ll be leaning on the passing attack to release pressure, and we know Cam can’t do that.
The Rams are third in the league for run defense and this is why it’s so important for the Pats to break through and force the game into the way they want to play it. I’m sure Aaron Donald is looking for some taste of revenge after he was kept quiet for the majority of the Super Bowl meeting, he will be key for the Rams attack on both Cam, and the running backs.
Keeping the special teams train going is another card up Bill’s sleeve. In games where the Patriots could easily be outmatched, the ST trump card is a great asset to have and after getting out in front against the Chargers on Sunday, they showed how quickly they can still take the game away from an opponent, purely by smart special teams play.
On the defensive side of the ball, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp will be keeping the backs busy for most of the evening, so it’s key for the front-line to get pressure on Goff early and try and make him uncomfortable as they did to Herbert. Now, Goff has more experience than Herbert, but as we saw in the Super Bowl, he flaps when he’s under pressure.
Finally, we just need another smart game by Cam, no turnovers, secure the ball, and try and make some plays however he is able to do so.
TSM’s 5 Keys To Victory-
-0 Turnovers
-Neutralize Donald
-Pressure Goff
-Run, Run, Run
-Special Teams consistency
Player Spotlight – Adam Butler
Since joining the Patriots as an UDFA out of Vanderbilt in 2017, Adam Butler has gradually emerged as one of the most intriguing young players on defense.
Butler is among the many scheduled to become free agents at the end of the season, and I’d be more than happy to see him stick around, especially his performances in the last few games, I get the feeling he’s just starting to establish himself as a disruptive asset for the defensive front.
Familiar Faces
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Former Patriots
Coaching Staff
Ast OLC Andy Dickerson (2004-05)
OC Kevin O’Connell (Drafted by Patriots in 2008 as a QB. Only spent one year with the team.)
Pass Game Coordinator Shane Waldron (2002-04, 2008, 2009)
Director of Pro Scouting Ray Agnew (DT 1990-94)
Players
DE Derek Rivers (2018-2020)
Former Rams
Coaching Staff
OC Josh McDaniels (OC 2011)
QBC Jedd Fisch (Offensive Asst 2018-19)
Players
S/ST Cody Davis (2013-17)
DT Lawrence Guy (2013-14)
Broken Records
Here’s some records that could fall tomorrow evening.
QB Cam Newton
-Cam Newton has scored 11 rushing touchdowns in 2020. With one more rushing touchdown, he will tie former Patriots QB Steve Grogan for the Patriots team record for most rushing TDs in a season by a QB.
RB James White
-Needs two touchdown receptions to tie Larry Garron (26) as the most all-time in Patriots history for touchdown receptions by a running back.
S Devin McCourty
-With his next interception, Devin McCourty (28) will tie Ron Hall, Roland James, and Fred Marion for third all-time in Patriots history with 29 career
interceptions.
Score Prediction: Patriots 28-24 Rams
I think the Patriots can win out and given themselves a chance at a playoff run. Tomorrow night won’t be easy, but I think the Pats can sneak a victory. Pats by 4, LFG!