Well, THAT, was surely something to see Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles. The first half of the New England Patriots win over the L.A. Rams was reminiscent of the formula the 2001 Patriots employed to win games that season. Run the ball, play smart, excel on special teams by getting points, and get a lead. Worked then, works now, and will work in the future. This team has shown good resolve in getting to 6-6 for the stretch run. But the playoffs are unlikely.
QUARTERBACK—B
The passing game is rubbish right now but this grade is for HOW Cam Newton ran the offense. Making checks at the line of scrimmage to get in the right running play. Slowed the game down when necessary. I didn’t see panic or feel like he was lost out there as in past weeks. He’s got to secure the football better. The snap he fumbled is a different example of how he has made mistakes with ball security this season. This coaching staff is figuring out how to win with Cam, but he’s not the player he used to be.
RUNNING BACKS—A-
The first half was a good one for this unit. I do feel for James White as it seems every opponent expects him to catch a screen pass when he’s on the field. And most of the time, those defenses are right. Damien Harris did a good job setting the tone and I can’t truly evaluate Sony Michel. When you get carries up 35-0 and the defense is expecting it, one is unlikely to have success.
WIDE RECEIVERS—B
Good job blocking. I hope someday you can get open and the coaches trust Cam to throw the ball.
TIGHT ENDS—B-
Izzo and Keene were competitive in the running game. Izzo got dinged and had to sit so that did limit the Patriots formationally. Luckily, they had a big lead so it didn’t matter in the end.
OFFENSIVE LINE—B
Some offensive drives looked terrible and I think this unit sitting on the sidelines after the punt return touchdown, did them no favors in settling into the game. When they put together drives for touchdowns, I thought this unit excelled even with rotating left tackles. At this time of year, on the road, against a good DL with a star in Joey Bosa, I will take it. Good job here.
DEFENSIVE LINE: A+
This may be my first A+ of the year but an absolutely fantastic job by the whole defensive line and defensive ends/rush linebackers. Collectively they frustrated not only Justin Hebert, but his offensive line as they were eaten up by this unit. 11 QB hits, 3 sacks. Playing with a big lead is fun!
LINEBACKERS: B+
Terez Hall and Ju’whuan Bentley each played between 35-40% of the snaps within this group. The first half, they did a nice job of skunking the L.A. running game. Once the score got tilted, more defensive backs played.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: A
Only allowing one, 20+ yard play to Keenan Allen in the first half, is a testament to this unit and the coverage they provided to compliment the great pass rush. J.C. Jackson is Malcolm Butler 2.0. Adrian Phillips was all over the field, and this unit was active on special teams. Well done.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A+
When you score 2 touchdowns, you get an A+ (usually). The only bad break was the punt from Allen that flopped into the end zone. And that was no big deal as he still went 3 for 4 with punts downed inside the 20. Spectacular all the way around.
3 THINGS TO WATCH FOR
- A group ready to play on Thursday night, mentally. The 3 days leading into the game, the team is stuck in an L.A. hotel. It’s all football baby!
- Special attention will be paid to Rams DL Aaron Donald, he can single handedly ruin the Patriots running game.
- Special team shenanigans when the situation is right.
