FOXBORO, Mass. – Behind quarterback Matthew Stafford's four touchdown passes and timely defensive plays by safety Kam Kinchens and outside linebacker Byron Young, the Rams (5-5) held on to defeat the Patriots 28-22 on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
Stafford's performance – 18 for 27 for 297 yards in addition to the four touchdowns – was enough to overcome a missed field goal at the end of the first half by kicker Josh Karty and New England almost pulling off a late rally after getting the ball back on the plus-side of the 2-minute warning in the fourth quarter.
Getting the ball with 2:22 remaining in the fourth quarter after the Rams elected to punt from the Patriots 37, New England had a shot at a potential game-winning or game-tying possession. But Young's clutch sack on second down on the first play after the 2-minute warning, followed by Kinchens' interception on a deep pass over the middle by quarterback Drake Maye, erased the Patriots' (3-8) last gasp.
Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp had six receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns in the win, with wide receiver Puka Nacua adding seven receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown. Defensive end Braden Fiske had two sacks for Los Angeles' defense.
Here is the complete game recap:
New England opened with a 46-yard return on the opening kickoff. Despite field position near the 50, a chop-block penalty derailed the drive for the Patriots and they were forced to punt.
A 38-yard completion from Stafford to Nacua quickly moved the Rams to Patriots territory on their first offensive series, but a rare missed connection between Stafford and Kupp on third down resulted that drive ending with a punt.
The Patriots broke through for the first points of the game on the ensuing drive, using four completions of 10 or more yards – including a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drake Maye to wide receiver Kendrick Bourne – to take a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.
A 5-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Kupp – on a drive that featured lots of Blake Corum and Puka Nacua – tied the game 7-7 midway through the second quarter.
The momentum carried over to the defense, as defensive end Kobie Turner recovered defensive end Braden Fiske's strip-sack to give the ball back to Los Angeles' offense less than 90 seconds later. L.A. scored on the very next play, taking a 14-7 lead on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Nacua with 5:45 left in the second quarter.
After the Patriots added a 32-yard field goal, Rams kicker Josh Karty missed a 26-yard field goal attempt off the right upright before the end of the second quarter to keep the score 14-10 Rams at halftime.
Los Angeles rebounded quickly from that miss, though, as Stafford connected with Kupp on a 69-yard touchdown pass on the second play to extend its lead to 21-10 early in the third quarter.
Although the Patriots reached the Rams' 2, the Rams' defense stood tall and forced the Patriots to settle for a 20-yard field goal to maintain a 21-13 lead over New England midway through the third quarter.
Maye threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, but Rams outside linebacker Michael Hoecht blocked the extra point attempt, keeping the score 28-19 Rams with 12:45 left in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots added a 42-yard field goal to cut the Rams' lead to six with 4:54 remaining. L.A. marched to the New England 35, but rather than possibly attempt a 50-plus yard field goal, it opted to punt with 2:22 remaining.
The decision to trust the defense paid off. Young's third-down sack, followed by Kinchens' interception, regained possession for the Rams and allowed them to drain the final 1:47 to secure the win.
