Here are some things you might have missed during the Rams’ 26-10 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.:
First quarter
The Patriots used three running backs on their first drive and all three ran for more yards on their first carry than Todd Gurley. Dion Lewis rushed for three yards, and LeGarrette Blount and and James White both ran for nine yards. Gurley’s first carry resulted in a one-yard loss, although center Tim Barnes blocked his man into the running back.
The Patriots needed one yard to convert a fourth down on their first drive, and Blount delivered. On the play, Trumaine Johnson took an inside route against a run off right tackle and got caught in the traffic of the Patriots’ offensive line. Blount bounced outside and ran the ball 43 yards for a touchdown.
The Rams nearly came up with the second interception of a Tom Brady pass this season. Nose tackle Michael Brockers batted the ball into the air at the line of scrimmage, but the Rams couldn’t come down with it, despite outnumbering the Patriots in the area.
Second quarter
Chris Hogan’s nickname with the Dolphins was “7-Eleven” because he’s always open, like the convenience store. But on Hogan’s touchdown catch the front doors were closed by corner E.J. Gaines, so Brady took another route: a 14-yard back-shoulder throw.
The Patriots’ first sack of Jared Goff came on a delayed blitz by cornerback Logan Ryan. After the snap, Gurley eyed the oncoming defensive line and stepped forward to help block, leaving Ryan unchecked and Goff on the ground.
Brady got away with intentional grounding on a third and eight, avoiding a sack by throwing the ball into the ground well behind the line with no receiver in the area. As a consolation prize, safety T.J. McDonald was able to get a solid hit on the quarterback without drawing a flag.
Third quarter
Left tackle Greg Robinson’s hold on linebacker Kyle Van Noy was his ninth flag for holding this season.
Goff’s wounded-duck interception was caused by defensive tackle Jabaal Sheard getting his hand on the quarterback’s arm as he threw.
Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount is mobbed by teammates after scoring a touchdown on a 43-yard run against Eugene Sims and the Rams.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rams defensive end Eugene Sims can’t prevent Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount from scoring on a long run during the first quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner and Patriots receiver Julian Edelman butt heads after a play in the fourth quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady walks off the field with the most wins ever as a quarterback after defeating the Rams.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rams quarterback Jared Goff is sacked by Patriots defenders during the fourth quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Patriots receiver Julian Edelman makes an acrobatic catch against Rams safety Maurice Alexander in the third quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rams receiver Bradley Marquez can’t make the catch as he’s hit by Patriots linebacker Shea McClellin during the fourth quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rams running back Todd Gurley picks up short yardage as he’s swarmed by Patriots defenders during the third quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rams quarterback Jared Goff trips and falls as he tries to hand the ball to running back Todd Gurley (not pictured) during the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rams running back Todd Gurley tries to grab the ball after quarterback Jared Goff lost control of it as he fell during the exhange in the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady escapes the grasp of Rams defensive end Ethan Westbrooks during the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rams quarterback Jared Goff escapes pressure from Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich during the first quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson tackles Patriots running back Dion Lewis during the first quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Patriots runing back LeGarrette Blount has Rams safety Maurice Alexander turning the wrong direction during a 43-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rams quarterback Jared Goff is sacked by Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan during the second quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets a pass off in front of Rams defensive end Eugene Sims during the third quarter.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Rams Coach Jeff Fisher watches his players warm up before their game against the Patriots.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)Jeff Fisher won his only challenge of the game, but he nearly lost the battle with his puffy winter jacket as he struggled to find his red flag.
Fourth quarter
Patriots corner Cyrus Jones was one-and-done as a punt returner after muffing his first attempt in the first quarter. Danny Amendola took over until he was injured. Jones was then allowed to return punts again in the fourth quarter.
Kenny Britt failed to catch a pass until the Rams’ final possession. Britt had dropped two passes in the first half before hauling in a 66-yard pass in the final two minutes. He caught the next ball thrown his way for a one-yard touchdown.
Twitter: @mattwilhalme
