If last Monday night’s football’s game is any indicator, it shows the 4-5 Los Angeles Rams are in a precarious place. After a slow start losing 4 out of their first 5 games, they won 3 out of their last 4 games, dropping the ball against Miami Dolphins. This Sunday the LA plays the New England Patriots. To say the Rams need this win is an understatement.
The Rams sit 3rd in the NFC West one game behind the San Francisco 49ers and 2 games behind the Arizona Cardinals. To be honest, the Rams seemed to have played too tight against the Dolphins…almost as if they panicked…that makes them vulnerable.
In week 11, the Patriots, with their new rookie quarterback, Drake Maye, seem statistically to be almost equal to the Rams in both offense and defense. At least on paper. New England sits 4th in the AFC East tied in record with the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets.
The Patriots have been told all season long they are “rebuilding”, they are playing “soft”….but as the last three games have shown they are now playing loose…they have nothing to loose…and that makes them dangerous.
The Los Angeles Rams Hit a Bump in the Road with Miami
As stated above, the Rams have been resurgent as of late, despite the Miami debacle. To understand their chances this weekend, its important to look at their individual and team statistics.
This season the Rams have 214 completions in 322 attempts for1,782 yards and 9 touchdowns. They have been intercepted 7 times and been sacked 21 times. In 10 games the Rams have carried the ball 225 times for 847 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Rams have scored a total of 17 touchdowns in 2024, 9 receiving and 8 rushing. Most of their success happened in the last 4 games of this season. Prior to their loss to Miami, they had won 3 in a row against Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks.
The Rams’ defense in 2024 has 374 solo tackles combined with 263 assisted tackles for a total of 637 tackles. They have 24 team sacks for the year so far and 30 pass deflections with 9 interceptions. The have caused their opponents to fumble 7 times of which the Rams have recovered 4. As is the case with the offense, the Rams’ defense saw most of their success in Their first 4 games.
Statistics on Rams’ quarterback Mathew Stafford:
Matthew Stafford is the 22nd rated quarterback, based on total stats in the NFL. As of the end of week 10, Stafford has thrown for 2,262 yards, 9 touchdowns this season. He has thrown 7 interceptions and has a season QBR of only 59.5. He has 214 completions in 322 attempts, 66.5% completion rate.
So far for the month of November, Stafford has completed 57 of 90 passes attempts for 591 yards and only 2 touchdowns. He has 2 interceptions.
Against the Raiders, Stafford went only 14 for 23 for 150 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception and was sacked 1 time. The Rams won with a low offensive score of 20-15. Against the Minnesota Vikings, Stafford went 25 for 44, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. Against the Seahawks, Stafford went 25 for 34 for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception.
Monday night, against the Miami Dolphins, Stafford completed 32 out of 46 attempts for 293 passing yards. He had 0 touchdown passes and threw 1 interception for a 69.6 rating. These are not Tom Brady or Peyton Manning type statistics. Bottom line is that Stafford has not and cannot carry the Rams to the playoffs. He has become a “journeyman” quarterback. He will have a tough time throwing into coverage against the Patriots.
Rams Running Game Has Only Been Mediocre Lately
The Rams running game features Kyren Williams. So far, after 10 games, (9 games played), Williams has 176 carries for 664 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. Williams has fumbled 3 times losing possession 2 times. He also has 25 receptions for 136 yards and 2 additional touchdowns.
In the last 5 games, Williams had 103 carries for 406 yards and 3 touchdowns. It was during the last 5 games that Williams accrued his 3 fumbles.
In the Rams lost to Miami, Williams carried the ball 15 times for 62 yards. He also had 5 receptions for 20 yards. He had no touchdowns.
While Williams carried the team earlier in the season, the leagues defenses seem to have been and now have caught up with him. While the Patriots may be rebuilding, there defense has come along way. Just as Miami contained Williams, the Patriots should be able to do the same following Miami’s blue-print.
Rams Defense Has Been Good, But Not Great
As stated above, as a team, the Rams defense has been good but not great as evidenced by the 23.4 average points allowed in the 9 games. The Rams defense is currently ranked 16th in the NFL for points allowed. But LA has had some bright spots in their defense.
Safety, Quentin Lake, is the Rams’ leading tackler with 45 solo and 24 assisted tackles for 69 total tackles. He has 2 sacks. Christian Rozeboom has 35 solo and 33 assisted tackles for a total of 68 tackles. Rozeboom has 3 pass deflections and 1 interception. Linebacker, Jared Verse has 23 solo tackles and 14 assists with 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery.
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If the Rams are going to stop the “rebuilding” New England Patriots, they are going to have to improve their defense as a team. It will be interesting see how LA’s defense responds to Drake May and his resurgent offense.
The New England Patriots Are on the Rise
This season the Patriots have completed 191 passes in 309 attempts for 1,782 yards and 9 touchdowns. They have been intercepted 6 times and been sacked 32 times. In 10 games the Patriots have carried the ball 260 times for 1,143 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Patriots have scored a total of 16 touchdowns this season, 7 rushing and 9 receiving. Most of their success has been recent, in the last 4 games…games featuring their new rookie sensation, quarterback, Drake Maye.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye:
Drake Maye is the 25th rated quarterback, based on total stats, in the NFL. As of the end of week 10, Maye has thrown for 954 yards, 7 touchdowns this season. He has thrown 5 interceptions and has a season QBR of 55.2. He has 97 completions in 150 attempts, a 64.7 completion rate. He has also rushed for an additional touchdown
In the month of November, Maye has completed 44 passes out 66 attempts for 390 yards, 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, for a 73.4 rating
Last Sunday afternoon, against Chicago, Maye completed 15 of 25 attempts for 184 yards and 1 touchdown. He was intercepted once and sacked once for a 79.4 rating.
If Maye can keep improving, as he has in the last four games he has played, he may (pun intended) be able give the Rams defense fits. If his passing is a little more accurate than it has been, the Patriots running game should dominate the Rams defense.
Patriots Running Game
The Patriots running game centers around Rhamondre Stevenson. So far, after 10 games, (9 games played), Stevenson has 512 yards in 134 carries and 6 touch downs. He also has 24 receptions for 102 yards and 1 additional touchdown.
In his last 5 games, Stevenson has rushed 69 times for 245 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also has 15 receptions for 69 yards and 1 additional touch down. He has no fumbles in the last 5 games.
In his last game, in which the Patriots defeated the Bears, Stevenson carried the ball 20 times for 74 yards but no touch downs.
In football we usually say the run has to be established to open up the passing game. But in the Patriots’ case, they have to establish the passing game in order to open up their running game. If they can do this, Stevenson could have a field day with the Rams’ defense.
Patriots Defense Has Also Been Good, But Not Great
Like the Rams’s the Patriots’ defense has been good but not great as evidenced by the 23.4 average points allowed in the 9 games. The Patriots defense is currently ranked 18th in the NFL for points allowed. But New England also has some “stars in the making” playing on their defense.
Linebacker, Jahlani Tavai is the Patriots leading tackler in 2024 has 68 tackles, 37 solo and 31 assisted. He has 1 sack and 1 interception and 3 pass deflections. Also at linebacker, Anfernee Jennings, has 31 solo tackles with 17 assists for 48 total tackles.
If Stafford has one of his recent average throwing days, the Rams could quickly become one dimensional. The Patriots may be rebuilding, but their defense seems to be getting better every week.
Injury Reports for Both The Rams and Patriots as of 11/14/2024
So far this week, the Rams’ offensive injury report has only tackles, Joe Noteboom and Rob Havenstein as questionable for this weeks game.
On defense, the Rams lists Linebacker Byron Young, Defensive Tackle, Neville Gallimore and cornerback Charles Woods as questionable. As of 11/14, none of the above players have been ruled out and all are expected to play against the Patriots this weekend.
On offense the Patriots only list star tight end, Hunter Henry as questionable, but he is expected to play in Sundays game against the Rams. On defense the patriots list three players as questionable, linebacker Christian Elliss, Safety, Kyle Dugger, defensive end Dietrich Wise. All three are expected to make Sunady’s contest.
The Pats still list defensive tackle, Christian Barmore as being on injured reserve, but the rumor is he will be coming off the injured-reserve list this week. While the Patriots’ defense sure could use him, he won’t be available to help the Patriots against the Rams this week. He has not played the entire season due to an illness that caused blood clots. Of note, in 2023, he had 39 solo tackles and 25 assists for a total of 64 tackles and was credited with 8.5 sacks.
As it appears that both teams should be fielding all of their players by Sunday, pre-existing injuries should not affect this Sundays contest.
The Patriots Will Surprise the Rams and Earn their 4th Victory
I said EARN their 4th Victory. This will be a close, low scoring contest with the over/under around 45 total points. scoring contest. As in most close, low scoring NFL games, defense will decide the winner. In this one, the new England Patriots will surprise the Los Angeles Rams. The final score will be 21-14, Patriots get their 4th win.
