The next edition of “Thursday Night Football is a really important game for both the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams, but the Patriots face a must-win scenario at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.
The Patriots (6-6) find their playoff hopes on life support, and after a slow start to the 2020 season, New England’s margin of error is virtually non-existent. After starting the season 2-5, the Patriots have won four of their last five and currently occupy the 10th spot in the AFC playoff race.
The Patriots have struggled massively on offense this season, which makes the fact they have a chance of making the playoffs so impressive. It is a testament to the culture developed over the past two decades.
This game will come down to one simple thing. How will the Patriots offense fare against one of the best defenses in the entire National Football League?
Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, while winning games for the team, has been one of the NFL’s worst statistical quarterbacks in 2020.
Newton has five touchdowns and nine interceptions, and in New England's last two victories, the former MVP has not passed for 100 yards. This sort of lackluster passing performance will now work against a team like the Rams.
The Rams (8-4) find themselves in first place in the NFC West following the Seahawks shocking loss to the New York Giants on Sunday. The Rams, led by first-year Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley, has the defense firing on all cylinders.
The Rams are second in the league in yards allowed per game, fifth in points-per-game allowed, and third in rushing yards allowed per game. The Patriots offense is predicated on being able to run the ball effectively so this recipe does not bode well for New England heading into the matchup on Thursday.
The Patriots have the third-most rushing yards per game this season.
The Rams offense has not been as potent in years past and the turnovers issues plaguing quarterback Jared Goff is one of the reasons why that is the case. The Rams offense is not as high-flying as the one that went up against the New England defense in Super Bowl LIII just under two years ago.
Los Angeles is in the middle of the league in points scored per game (25.1), third in yards per game, and sixth in passing yards per game.
Even though the Rams are a different team than the one that made it to the Super Bowl, their offense will be more than good enough on Thursday to stop a SoFi Stadium sweep for the New England Patriots.
This 2020 iteration of the New England Patriots is Head Coach Bill Belichick’s best coaching performance to date, but his presence on the sideline can only take the team so far. The Rams have the better players on the field, and that will be the difference in the game as Rams Head Coach Sean McVay avenges his Super Bowl loss where he was thoroughly outcoached by Belichick.
Prediction: Rams: 24 Patriots: 17
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