Four Bold Predictions For Patriots’ Matchup With Desperate Rams

The Patriots are looking to build some positive momentum this weekend, but they’ll have to contend with a desperate Los Angeles Rams team.

Matthew Stafford. Puka Nacua. Cooper Kupp. Kyren Williams. Jared Verse.

Yoinks.

New England is back home but will have its work cut out for it with a team full of high-end talent at premium positions — and playing for a spot in the postseason — coming into Gillette Stadium. How can the home club keep it close? We have a few ideas, but they’re pretty bold:

MAN FOOTBALL
The Patriots aren’t going to put up a ton of points on anyone, but it’ll be especially difficult against a defensive front consisting of guys like Verse, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Byron Young. It’s a real “pick your poison” group that will be especially poisonous against an undermanned offensive line protecting Drake Maye.

The Rams have the talent to score, but there are a couple of factors working against them. The Patriots, for one, could see some big names return defensively in Kyle Dugger and Christian Barmore, while both teams had their kickers do all the scoring last week — with Joey Slye and Joshua Karty accounting for 27-of-34 total points.

Prediction: The Patriots and Rams combine to score fewer than 30 total points.

MAYE-DAY!
Maye likes to run, and he won’t have much of a choice this week.

We already mentioned that studly front that LA will bring in, and the expectation is that they’ll get home a couple of times. The Patriots could take advantage of that group’s relative youth, however, with Maye taking advantage of open rushing lanes.

Let the kid tuck it and run.

Prediction: The Rams’ defense finishes with four-plus sacks, but Drake Maye also finishes with 50-plus rushing yards.

GONZO GETS GOT
It’s only a matter of time before Christian Gonzalez hits a rough patch, right?

The Patriots have to be absolutely thrilled with their young cornerback, but this weekend will provide an especially difficult assignment of trying to cover a pair of incredibly different wide receivers. Puka Nacua is a physical option, while Cooper Kupp is a speedier guy who primarily eats on underneath routes.

Los Angeles won’t be able to avoid Gonzalez but could mess with his rhythm by scheming up different looks against him. There’s no shame in having a rough day against those two guys.

Prediction: Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp each finish with 50-plus receiving yards.

YANNICK’S BIG DEBUT
The Rams will be without starting right tackle Rob Havenstein, and backup Joe Noteboom, so there will be an opportunity to get after Stafford. Who specifically could feast in obvious pass-rush situations?

Yannick Ngakoue, the dude who was recently claimed and has something to prove!

Prediction: Yannick Ngakoue finishes with parts of two sacks.