{"id":59713,"date":"2020-12-11T02:21:40","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T07:21:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713"},"modified":"2021-08-30T05:29:23","modified_gmt":"2021-08-30T05:29:23","slug":"lazar-ten-things-we-learned-from-the-patriots-24-3-loss-to-the-rams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713","title":{"rendered":"Lazar: Ten Things We Learned From the Patriots&#8217; 24-3 Loss to the Rams"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">CLNS Media Headquarters &#8212; the Patriots\u2019 season effectively ended with a 24-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although New England isn\u2019t mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the loss drops them to 6-7 on the season, with now a four percent chance of making the postseason, according to FiveThirtyEight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After riding high following a blowout win over the Chargers just four days ago, Bill Belichick\u2019s team got out-coached and out-played by Sean McVay\u2019s Rams in a must-win game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To his credit, McVay exercised his demons from the loss in Super Bowl 53 with an excellent game-plan that caught the Pats by surprise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"LIVE Patriots Postgame Show | Powered by TheLegendsBrand.com: Code HORFORD20 for 20% off\" width=\"788\" height=\"443\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YoJv8qo61cg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As a disciple of the Shanahan coaching tree, McVay\u2019s scheme relies heavily on an outside zone rushing attack, with the Rams calling outside zone on 48% of their runs entering Week 14.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, the Rams\u2019 head coach knew Belichick had the foundation of his scheme figured out, so he crafted an opening script that featured a heavy dosage of gap and counter plays.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With the Patriots defense caught off guard, Los Angeles got out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, which proved too big of a deficit for New England\u2019s inept offense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In his post-game press conference, Belichick once again reiterated that quarterback Cam Newton is his starter, choosing to stick with Newton despite his struggles and the Pats\u2019 record.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With Belichick, it\u2019s hard to question a coach with his resume, but the season is quickly becoming more about seeing what the Pats have for the future rather than making a playoff push.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Still, Belichick, at least for now, isn\u2019t making the switch to second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham and is prepared to ride out the rest of the season with Newton at the helm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here are ten things we learned as the Patriots\u2019 fall to 6-7 in a rocky 2020 season:<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>1. McVay Out-Schemes Belichick in Run Game\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After a shaky start, the Patriots defense righted the ship and only allowed seven points on the Rams\u2019 final seven drives, but McVay was dealing early and gashed New England on the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Los Angeles averaged 5.3 yards per rush thanks to a beautiful game-plan by McVay, starting with gap and counter runs in his opening script.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-59714\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/PatsFront-500x274.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"274\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Belichick decided to play a five-man front with overhangs outside the five defenders between the tackles to set the edge against outside zone, so McVay gave him something different.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/cg73qc\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here, the Rams ran GY counter instead of outside zone with the backside guard kicking out the edge defender and the tight end pulling through the hole. The two players adding into the left side of the formations allow for the left side of the offensive line to double-team Deatrich Wise at the point of attack, and they put Wise on skates, creating a massive rushing lane.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">McVay anticipated that Belichick would adjust at halftime and went back to outside zone on a 16-play touchdown drive in the third quarter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Once McVay went back to outside zone, the story became about the Rams head coach using his wide receivers in motion to create an extra gap and force the Pats\u2019 DBs into the run fit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 55.158%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/igucah\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Robert Woods comes in motion on this play and kicks out Stephon Gilmore to create a lane for Cam Akers. With Gilmore taking on Woods, the onus there is on the safety, Devin McCourty, to trigger down into the hole and fit the run. Still, McVay deserves credit for putting Gilmore and McCourty in the middle of the play as run defenders where they aren\u2019t usually involved.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Rams\u2019 head coach can\u2019t reverse the outcome of Super Bowl 53 with a regular-season victory, but he schooled Belichick\u2019s run defense on Thursday night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>2. The Micro and Macro Discussion With Cam Newton<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cam Newton is in a difficult position with the supporting cast around him, which is the macro issue with New England\u2019s offense; they don\u2019t have the skill talent for the quarterback to be successful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, there\u2019s also a micro-discussion to be had with Newton, where he\u2019s failing to throw on-time to open receivers, and it costs the Pats when they do create opportunities to move the ball.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/4h5dkz\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Newton made some good throws on Thursday night down the field, and he\u2019s throwing with pretty good efficiency on downfield passes, finishing with a CPOE of -4.2, which isn\u2019t awful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/tfdwnj\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here\u2019s an example of what we\u2019ve seen all season from Cam when he\u2019s struggling. To his right, N\u2019Keal Harry\u2019s vertical route will give Jakobi Meyers a pocket to sit down at the sticks, with Harry essentially picking the defender on Meyers. Instead of the ball coming out when the pocket was clean, Newton holds it, tries to slide up to elude the edge pressure, and is sacked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-59715\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Screen-Shot-2020-12-10-at-10.42.07-PM-500x272.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"272\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Before you say there was too much pressure to make a throw, here\u2019s what Cam is looking at as Meyers is hitting the top of the route. That\u2019s a clean pocket and an open passing lane, which closes because Newton holds the ball for too long.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Even though offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has altered the scheme to Newton\u2019s strengths, there are still plenty of plays in the passing game that rely on timing and anticipation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Unfortunately, those aspects of New England\u2019s scheme aren\u2019t clicking with Newton, even 12 starts into his Patriots career, which begs the question: change the system or the quarterback?<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>3. Rams Superstar DT Aaron Donald Wrecks Thursday Night Football\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In his first two games against the Pats, Donald didn\u2019t register a sack and lost two one-on-one reps against Pats left guard Joe Thuney in the game-winning drive in Super Bowl 53.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Well, just like his head coach, Donald got some revenge on Thursday night with 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, a tackle for loss, and a heads-up play on Newton\u2019s pick-six.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/zwb1ie\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On the pick-six, Donald sniffs out the screen to Damien Harris and legally grabs Harris before the Pats running back can release into his route. Newton needs to get rid of the ball with pressure in his face, and with Harris held up, Rams linebacker Kenny Young takes it back to the house. Young also pointed out after the game that Newton\u2019s mannerisms gave away the screen pass. I&#8217;m not sure how, but that\u2019s like a baseball pitcher tipping his pitches, which is not great.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although blocking Donald is a nightmare for every offensive lineman, it\u2019s worth noting the drop-off at left tackle without starter Isaiah Wynn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/ewxqit\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On Donald\u2019s sack, backup left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is left one-on-one with the All-Pro, and Donald beats him clean with a cross-chop move to sack Newton for a big loss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/jyszba\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Eluemunor allowed another sack to the Rams\u2019 Michael Brockers where he was blocking nobody, showing how much the Pats missed Wynn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New England\u2019s offensive line has certainly had better days than it did on Thursday night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>4. How Much is Josh McDaniels to Blame for Offenses Struggles?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After last week\u2019s win, I credited McDaniels\u2019s opening script against the Chargers for his creativity and variety of running plays that set the tone for the blowout victory.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As we did with Newton, it\u2019s only fair to point out that McDaniels isn\u2019t working with much, but there\u2019s a predictably and conservatism offensively that has cost the Pats in multiple games.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Despite Newton hitting throws of 31, 30, and 25 yards to his receivers downfield, the Patriots, probably out of fear of negative plays, don\u2019t want to let Newton open it up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On the one hand, you can understand that interceptions and sacks as Newton tries to make plays downfield are killers, but Cam\u2019s downfield passing is clearly better than his short game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Then, a four-play sequence inside the Rams\u2019 six-yard line was painfully obvious: back-to-back lead plays from different alignments that gained three yards, a QB draw (one yard), and an awful speed-option play on fourth down that went backward. Just way too predictable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 55.579%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/o2q5pv\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Rams were ready for an option run on the fourth down play and had a scrape-exchange called, where the off-ball linebacker takes the pitch (RB), and the edge defender closes down the quarterback. Newton said he didn\u2019t want to risk a turnover on the pitch after the game, but giving the ball to Harris in space was the only play there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Instead, the Patriots turned the ball over on downs, squandering one of their best scoring chances of the night, and the lack of creativity by McDaniels deserves criticism there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Again, it\u2019s hard to scheme-up offense when your best receiver is Jakobi Meyers, there\u2019s zero threat at tight end, and the quarterback is struggling to grasp the scheme&#8217;s intricacies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But that doesn\u2019t excuse the fact that it felt like the Rams were in Newton\u2019s helmet as McDaniels relayed the play-calls in the sequence above.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>5. Why Won\u2019t Bill Belichick Turn to Jarrett Stidham at Quarterback?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For very different reasons, we\u2019ve got a look at Stidham in mop-up duty, and he hasn\u2019t looked terrible, especially against the Chargers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Still, for whatever reason, Belichick is scoffing at the notion that the Patriots should start Stidham moving forward, which really can only be explained with two theories:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Stidham isn\u2019t very good: although he has made some nice throws in the last two games, Stidham\u2019s issues with holding the ball in the pocket, downfield accuracy, and ball security are the same as Newton\u2019s. Plus, he can\u2019t run like Cam does &#8212; the football reasons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Benching Cam sends a bad message to the locker room: now we are starting to get into the sports radio conspiracies, but it\u2019s possible that Belichick, who has watched Newton play for pennies on the dollar with a limited roster around him, doesn\u2019t want to bench a player that owns the locker room and has earned the respect of his teammates. Newton\u2019s teammates truly gravitate towards the veteran QB, and Belichick risks losing his players by benching Cam.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Until Belichick gives an honest assessment of Stidham, which is unlikely, there\u2019s no way of knowing why the Pats head coach refuses to see if Stidham can provide them with a spark.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At this stage, it feels like New England needs to see what they have in Stidham as they evaluate their quarterback situation moving forward, yet Belichick is sticking with Cam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When \u201cthe path\u201d to the playoffs was still alive, it was a no-brainer to stay the course with Newton, but it\u2019s getting harder to explain why Belichick won\u2019t pull the plug unless it&#8217;s culture or contract related.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>6. Patriots WR N\u2019Keal Harry Breaks Out With Two Big Catches\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As the broadcast booth took shots at New England\u2019s dreadful early-round drafting at wide receiver, already-labeled bust wideout N\u2019Keal Harry started to find a groove.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Those that read me know that I\u2019ve given Harry a longer leash than most, and I\u2019ll admit my patience has been tested, but the 2019 first-round pick gave us a glimmer of hope tonight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/ahlvn7\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On his 30-yard catch, Newton finally gave Harry a chance down the field to win a jump-ball, and the Pats wideout went above the rim to high-point the ball over Rams corner Darius Williams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/jgp14f\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Earlier, in a good bit of eye manipulation by Newton, the Pats QB moved the defense towards Meyers\u2019s route at the stick and threw high to Harry over the middle. Harry used his frame to box-out the oncoming safety and caught the ball over his head to move the chains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 55.579%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/ckurhs\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lastly, Harry put a decent double-move on Rams corner Troy Hill by getting on Hill\u2019s toes in off-coverage, stopping down, and then opening up past him to get behind the defense. Unfortunately, the refs swallowed their whistles when Harry was clearly interfered with by Hill.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ultimately, it might be too little too late with Harry. Still, it\u2019s important to remember that development happens at different paces for players, and Harry is showing signs of growth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>7. Introducing Patriots UDFA DB Myles Bryant\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After playing a career-high 33 snaps last week, Bryant made a splash on the national stage with a first-quarter interception that really should\u2019ve flipped the momentum for New England.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, the refs overturned the call on the field to rule Bryant down by contract, negating a pick-six, and Newton gave it right back on his pick-six on the ensuing drive, a 14-point swing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/cqcpu0\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On the pick, Bryant gets some help from Goff&#8217;s bad throw, but he does an excellent job of fighting over the top of a rub route and playing through the receivers&#8217; hands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In the win over the Chargers, Bryant was used more as a zone defender and deep safety. We saw his man coverage skills on his interception, and both skills stood out in training camp.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Plus, the undersized Bryant was always around the ball at the University of Washington, and if it wasn\u2019t for his 5-foot-8, 180-pound frame, his tape was easily draftable last April.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">By the looks of things, Belichick might\u2019ve done it again with a UDFA defensive back in Bryant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>8. Pats\u2019 Run Game, Damien Harris Doesn\u2019t Get a Chance to Make Impact\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As a team, the Patriots only averaged 3.7 yards per rush on their 29 carries, but Harris was one of the lone bright spots on offense averaging 4.5 yards per carry and 0.09 EPA per rush.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/qh50l4\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Harris\u2019s longest run of the night, a 12-yard scamper, came on a wham play where right guard Shaq Mason lets the defender on the line of scrimmage through to fullback Jakob Johnson and climbs to the linebacker at the second level of the defense. Harris sets up the run nicely to peek inside before hitting the hole and then shows off his burst and finish at the end of the play.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In true 2020 fashion, Harris left the game with an injury that looked bad as he grimaced in pain. Add it to the list of bad things that happened to the Patriots on Thursday night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>9. Patriots Special Teams Stays Hot, Only Consistent Unit\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New England once again got a great effort out of their special teams&#8217; units, which is the only phase of the game they can count on every week. Punter Jake Bailey averaged 51.7 yards per punt with a long of 71 yards, and four downed inside the 20. I mean, that\u2019s just sick. Gunner Olszewski also had another good performance returning punts, with a 21-yard return. Bailey should be considered for All-Pro honors this season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>10. Play of the Game: Rams LB Kenny Young\u2019s Second-Quarter Pick-Six<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We won\u2019t break down the play in full again, but Young\u2019s pick-six was the single-biggest play of the game from an expected points added perspective and completely flipped the game. At that point, the Pats defense survived McVay\u2019s opening script, and Bryant seized the momentum with his interception, but Young and Donald grabbed it back to put the Rams up 17-0.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;\"><iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; overflow: hidden;\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/e\/zwb1ie\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As much as there are big-picture issues, the decision to call back Bryant\u2019s interception return followed by Young\u2019s touchdown was the game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CLNS Media Headquarters &#8212; the Patriots\u2019 season effectively ended with a 24-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.\u00a0 Although New England isn\u2019t mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the loss drops them to 6-7 on the season, with now a four percent chance of making the postseason, according to FiveThirtyEight.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":131993,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[207,211,210,527,293],"class_list":["post-59713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-bill-belichick","tag-cam-newton","tag-patriots","tag-rams","tag-sean-mcvay"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Lazar: Ten Things We Learned From the Patriots&#039; 24-3 Loss to the Rams - CLNS Media<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"CLNS Media Headquarters -- the Patriots\u2019 season effectively ended with a 24-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lazar: Ten Things We Learned From the Patriots&#039; 24-3 Loss to the Rams - CLNS Media\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"CLNS Media Headquarters -- the Patriots\u2019 season effectively ended with a 24-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CLNS Media\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CLNSmedia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-12-11T07:21:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-08-30T05:29:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mac-stock-photo-1024x576.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"576\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Evan Lazar\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@clnsmedia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@clnsmedia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Evan Lazar\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Evan Lazar\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/93c183ed668e514721ab2f9a99a90e17\"},\"headline\":\"Lazar: Ten Things We Learned From the Patriots&#8217; 24-3 Loss to the Rams\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-12-11T07:21:40+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-08-30T05:29:23+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713\"},\"wordCount\":2560,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/12\\\/mac-stock-photo.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Bill Belichick\",\"Cam Newton\",\"Patriots\",\"rams\",\"Sean McVay\"],\"articleSection\":[\"NFL\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713\",\"name\":\"Lazar: Ten Things We Learned From the Patriots' 24-3 Loss to the Rams - CLNS Media\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/12\\\/mac-stock-photo.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-12-11T07:21:40+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-08-30T05:29:23+00:00\",\"description\":\"CLNS Media Headquarters -- the Patriots\u2019 season effectively ended with a 24-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.\u00a0\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/12\\\/mac-stock-photo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/12\\\/mac-stock-photo.png\",\"width\":3006,\"height\":1692},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?p=59713#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Lazar: Ten Things We Learned From the Patriots&#8217; 24-3 Loss to the Rams\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"CLNS Media\",\"description\":\"Covering Boston Sports Since 2009\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"CLNS Media Company\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/clns.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/clns.jpg\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"CLNS Media Company\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/CLNSmedia\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/clnsmedia\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/clnsmedia\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCTNMXdUDhy_ivZkhbsQ_7ZA\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/93c183ed668e514721ab2f9a99a90e17\",\"name\":\"Evan Lazar\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/08\\\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/08\\\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/08\\\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg\",\"caption\":\"Evan Lazar\"},\"description\":\"Evan Lazar is the New England Patriots beat reporter for CLNS Media.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clnsmedia.com\\\/?author=4\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Lazar: Ten Things We Learned From the Patriots' 24-3 Loss to the Rams - CLNS Media","description":"CLNS Media Headquarters -- the Patriots\u2019 season effectively ended with a 24-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.\u00a0","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Lazar: Ten Things We Learned From the Patriots' 24-3 Loss to the Rams - CLNS Media","og_description":"CLNS Media Headquarters -- the Patriots\u2019 season effectively ended with a 24-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.\u00a0","og_url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713","og_site_name":"CLNS Media","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CLNSmedia\/","article_published_time":"2020-12-11T07:21:40+00:00","article_modified_time":"2021-08-30T05:29:23+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":576,"url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mac-stock-photo-1024x576.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Evan Lazar","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@clnsmedia","twitter_site":"@clnsmedia","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Evan Lazar","Est. reading time":"13 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713"},"author":{"name":"Evan Lazar","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#\/schema\/person\/93c183ed668e514721ab2f9a99a90e17"},"headline":"Lazar: Ten Things We Learned From the Patriots&#8217; 24-3 Loss to the Rams","datePublished":"2020-12-11T07:21:40+00:00","dateModified":"2021-08-30T05:29:23+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713"},"wordCount":2560,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mac-stock-photo.png","keywords":["Bill Belichick","Cam Newton","Patriots","rams","Sean McVay"],"articleSection":["NFL"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713","name":"Lazar: Ten Things We Learned From the Patriots' 24-3 Loss to the Rams - CLNS Media","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mac-stock-photo.png","datePublished":"2020-12-11T07:21:40+00:00","dateModified":"2021-08-30T05:29:23+00:00","description":"CLNS Media Headquarters -- the Patriots\u2019 season effectively ended with a 24-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.\u00a0","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mac-stock-photo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mac-stock-photo.png","width":3006,"height":1692},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=59713#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Lazar: Ten Things We Learned From the Patriots&#8217; 24-3 Loss to the Rams"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/","name":"CLNS Media","description":"Covering Boston Sports Since 2009","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#organization","name":"CLNS Media Company","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/clns.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/clns.jpg","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"CLNS Media Company"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CLNSmedia\/","https:\/\/x.com\/clnsmedia","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/clnsmedia\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCTNMXdUDhy_ivZkhbsQ_7ZA"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/#\/schema\/person\/93c183ed668e514721ab2f9a99a90e17","name":"Evan Lazar","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/avatar_user_4_1630080260-96x96.jpeg","caption":"Evan Lazar"},"description":"Evan Lazar is the New England Patriots beat reporter for CLNS Media.","url":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?author=4"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59713","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=59713"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59713\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":73543,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59713\/revisions\/73543"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/131993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=59713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=59713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=59713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}