(AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FOXBOROUGH- The Patriots lost a back and forth game to the Los Angeles Rams, 28-22 earlier this afternoon at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots got off to a good start taking a 7-0 lead early but the Rams scored two touchdowns in the second quarter and led 14-10 at the half.
Los Angeles blew the game open to start the second half when Matthew Stafford hit Cooper Kupp on a 69 yard touchdown pass. After a Joey Slye 25 yard field goal made 21-13, the Rams put the game away in essence when Stafford hit Colby Parkinson a 19 yard touchdown pass. It proved to be the game winner. The Rams held off a late charge by the Patriots to win the game and improve to 5-5.
Here are seven points on the Patriots loss.
1.Kupp and Nacua dominate: Both Cooper Kupp and Puca Nacua went over 100 yards for the Rams Nacua finished with 7 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown and Kupp finished with 6 catches for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Patriots secondary had no answer for either receiver. The Patriots did move around cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Instead, they primarily played match up zone. The move proved to be disastrous as Jonathan and Marcus Jones struggled to match up one on one.
2. Maye plays well but turnovers prove to be costly: Drake Maye had a solid game statistically but he turned the ball over twice and both turnovers were costly. Maye’s fumble in the second quarter resulted in Nacua’s touchdown which gave the Rams the lead. Maye would also throw the game ending interception on a miscommunication with Pop Douglas. Maye now has nine turnovers on the season. It is a problem. He needs to take better care of the ball. As for his stat line. He finished 30-of-40 for 282 yards, 2 touchdown passes and an interception.
3. Offensive line struggled: The offensive line once again struggled. The Rams defensive line got consistent pressure on Maye and threw him off his spot routinely. Los Angeles finished with three sacks and six tackles for loss but it felt like they were more dominate than that. Going into the game, the Patriots had neutralize this front. They didn’t do it on the ground or through the air.
4. Defense was torched: A week after holding the Chicago Bears to 142 yards of total offense, the Patriots defense struggled against a more experienced and better coached Rams offense. Stafford finished completing 18-of-25 passes for 295 yards and 4 touchdown passes. As we mentioned earlier, Nacua and Kupp both had big days as well. Even the Rams running game was good finishing with 107 yards rushing. Missed tackles, bad angles and giving big plays proved to be the difference in what was a bad overall performance.
5. Barmore’s return: Christian Barmore made his return from blood clots. He played sparingly and did not make much of an impact but both he and the team were happy to see him back on the field. Specifically Patriots Coach Jerod Mayo.
“Yeah, I’m not sure what the final snap count was, but it was good just to see him back out there. Obviously he’s a disruptive presence, but today – with anyone, linebackers, defensive front – I don’t think we had any negative tackle for loss or anything like that, but it was good to have him out there, and first and foremost player safety is important, and I know he was excited about it.”
Barmore met with the media after the game and seemed genuinely thankful for all the help and support he got during a difficult time in his life and career.
“Blood clots are no joke because I had shortness of breath and it messed with me a lot. I had my teammates, my medical team and my guy Bobby who was with me every day grinding, some days I wanted to stop but he kept me going. My teammates supported the hell out of me and I love them.”
It will take him time to get back into the swing of things but getting him back now will certainly provide a boast for the rest of the season.
6. Coaching questionable again: The coaching was questionable again. From late game clock management on offense to not explaining why the team decided not to match up Gonzalez on either Nacua or Kupp, Mayo did not a great day and he did not explain himself very well after the game which means his performance and that of the staff will be debated all week long.
7. Missed opportunity: The Patriots had plenty of chances to win this game but ultimately, their inability to get key stops and prevent big plays proved to be the difference. Factor into that Maye’s two turnovers and it was an missed opportunity for a team that is still struggling to make enough plays to win games.