The Los Angeles Rams overcame a rocky start and a determined New England Patriots team to secure a hard-fought 28-22 victory on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. Behind standout performances from wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, and the steady leadership of quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Rams improved to 5-5 on the season, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
The Rams’ offense quickly found its rhythm after sputtering early. Veteran receiver Cooper Kupp and second-year standout Puka Nacua were instrumental in the team’s success. Kupp hauled in six receptions for 106 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown where he broke free from Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones’ coverage. Nacua, on the other hand, showcased his playmaking ability with seven catches for 123 yards, capped by a spectacular 12-yard diving touchdown in the second quarter.
Matthew Stafford delivered an efficient performance, throwing for 292 yards and three touchdowns. The veteran quarterback continued to cement his legacy, passing Eli Manning for 10th all-time in career passing touchdowns with his first scoring pass to Kupp.
On the defensive side, the Rams showcased their young unit’s potential. Rookie defensive tackle Braden Fiske recorded a critical strip sack in the first half, recovered by Kobie Turner, which set up Nacua’s touchdown. Kamren Kinchens sealed the victory with a late-game interception, thwarting a potential Patriots comeback.
The Rams’ defense also effectively contained Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye for most of the game. While Maye flashed potential, completing 22 of 34 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns, the Rams forced key turnovers, including the game-changing fumble and interception.
The Patriots, now 3-8, showed resilience but were undone by critical mistakes. Despite their struggles, several players delivered notable performances. Wide receiver DeMario Douglas continued to make his case as the team’s primary offensive weapon, recording key catches to set up scoring drives. Tight end Hunter Henry provided a reliable target for Maye, finishing with six receptions for 63 yards.
However, defensive lapses cost New England dearly. Jonathan Jones and the Patriots secondary struggled to contain the Rams’ dynamic duo of Kupp and Nacua, while poor tackling in the first quarter allowed the Rams to capitalize on big plays.
Rams Capitalize on Turnovers: Stafford’s 12-yard touchdown to Nacua came immediately after Maye was sacked and fumbled deep in Patriots territory.
Blocked Extra Point: After a rare touchdown pass to offensive lineman Vederian Lowe, the Rams blocked the extra point, keeping momentum on their side.
Kinchens’ Interception: With the Patriots driving late, Kinchens’ interception dashed their hopes of a comeback.
The Patriots’ decision to deploy star cornerback Christian Gonzalez primarily on the boundary, rather than shadowing the Rams’ top receivers, raised questions. While Gonzalez excelled in his assignments, holding Kupp and Nacua to minimal production when matched up against them, the lack of adjustments by defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington allowed Stafford to exploit mismatches elsewhere.
“I’m doing what they want me to do,” Gonzalez said after the game. “Whatever they tell me to do, I’m gonna go out there and do my best.”
The Rams will look to build on this momentum as they return home to face another tough opponent. Meanwhile, the Patriots, despite the promise shown by young talents like Maye and Gonzalez, are left to reassess their game plan as they fight to salvage what’s left of a disappointing season.