Patriots want to emulate last game vs Rams, a Super Bowl win

The previous time the Patriots and Rams met, it was in Atlanta for the NFL title. A whole lot has changed since.

Los Angeles responded to its loss in that Super Bowl with a mediocre 2019 season, failing to return to the playoffs. New England got there last year, lost in the wild-card round after a late-season slump, and now is recognizing how much Tom Brady was responsible for that dynastic run.

This season, the Rams (8-4) are tied for the lead in the NFC West and the Patriots (6-6) have climbed to .500. When they face off Thursday night, the Rams, ranked sixth in the AP Pro32, will be 5-point favorites over the No. 17 Patriots.

“What we do over the next 3 1/2 days is going to be indicative of the position we put ourselves in to have success,” Rams coach Sean McVay says. “In December, all you can ask for is being involved in games that matter, and our guys have done a good enough job to put themselves in a position to be relevant right now, but it’s only about what we can do this Thursday.”

LA's defense can do plenty of harm, and New England — despite 45 points against the woeful Chargers last Sunday in the same building, SoFi Stadium — tends to struggle with the ball, especially in the passing game.

“They’re obviously a very good defense,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick says. “They’re at the top of the league in almost every category. They’re hard to move the ball against. They make you earn everything. They don’t make many mistakes. There’s no easy plays.”

RAMS, 21-17

KNOCKOUT POOL: The Dolphins did the job for us last week, and now it's SEATTLE — yes, Pro Picks has ignored the Seahawks thus far.

No. 2 New Orleans (minus 7) at No. 27 Philadelphia

Jalen Hurts might give Philly a spark, but not enough against the NFC's top squad.

BEST BET: SAINTS, 27-15

No. 15 Arizona (minus 3) at No. 18 New York Giants

The Giants are rolling, the Cardinals are reeling.

UPSET SPECIAL, GIANTS, 20-17

No. 13 Baltimore (minus 1) at No. 7 Cleveland, Monday

We thought about this for Upset Special, too.

BROWNS, 26-20

No. 3 Pittsburgh (plus 2 1-2) at No. 5 Buffalo

And this. But Buffalo could establish itself as a Super Bowl contender here.

STEELERS, 28-27

No. 4 Green Bay (minus 7) at No. 25 Detroit

The Packers can clinch the NFC North, and should do so emphatically.

PACKERS, 37-20

No. 1 Kansas City (minus 7) at No. 12 Miami

The Dolphins would take a huge step toward the postseason with a win. Sorry ...

CHIEFS, 27-17

No. 32 New York Jets (plus 13) at No. 8 Seattle

New York has learned that Cover Zero means zero coverage deep.

SEAHAWKS, 31-13

No. 16 Minnesota (plus 6 1-2) at No. 11 Tampa Bay

Tampa needs a bit of a turnaround and this is a good spot for it.

BUCCANEERS, 30-20

No. 20 San Francisco (minus 3) vs. No. 19 Washington at Glendale, Arizona

Ron Rivera will keep Washington grounded after its huge upset at Pittsburgh.

49ERS, 20-19

No. 9 Tennessee (minus 7½) at No. 31 Jacksonville

The Titans get the right tonic after their distressing performance against Cleveland.

TITANS, 24-19

No. 10 Indianapolis (minus 2½) at No. 14 Las Vegas

After their lucky escape at the Meadowlands, how will the Raiders react?

RAIDERS, 23-21

No. 23 Atlanta (minus 2½) at No. 28 Los Angeles Chargers

We can't find anything good to say about the Chargers right now.

FALCONS, 35-25

No. 29 Dallas (minus 3½) at No. 30 Cincinnati

Nor can we find anything good to say about either of these teams.

COWBOYS, 27-20

No. 21 Houston (minus 1½) at No. 26 Chicago

Nor these two highly disappointing squads.

TEXANS, 20-10

No. 24 Denver (OFF) at No. 22 Carolina

The Panthers come off a bye while the Broncos come off a physical test against KC.

PANTHERS, 24-18

___

2020 RECORD

Last Week: Straight up: 12-3. Against spread: 10-5

Season: Straight up: 129-62-1. Against spread: 98-81-4

Best Bet: Straight up: 11-2. Against spread: 7-6

Upset Special: Straight up: 6-7. Against spread: 6-5-2

Image credits: AP