The New England Patriots of the season in Sunday's Week 11 game against the visiting Los Angeles Rams.
There was no carryover effect for the Patriots' defensive mastery against the Chicago Bears last week. The same unit that had nine sacks and 13 quarterback hits against rookie quarterback Caleb Williams did not record a single sack against Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
That resulted in the Rams carving up the Patriots' defense for a total of 402 yards, handing them a 28-22 loss at their home stadium. It wasn't all bad for New England, there were at least a few standout performances from the players.
Here are the key stats from the loss to the Rams in Week 11:
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
I hate to keep betting on rookie wideout Ja'Lynn Polk, but his false start penalty on a crucial 4th-and-1 situation late in the fourth quarter was a turning point for the Patriots.
The mistake forced the Patriots to kick a field goal when they could have tried and potentially scored a touchdown on the drive. noted that Polk has more penalties than catches since October 1st.
Yikes.
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
When Kendrick Bourne sat on the bench last week, some wondered how involved he would be in the offense going forward. That question was answered emphatically on Sunday, as the veteran receiver hauled in five catches for a team-high 70 yards. This was Bourne's best performance and by far the most offensive output he has produced this season.
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
The Patriots were overtaken by the Rams. There were far too many head-scratches in this game, including the team's decision to leave Jonathan Jones alone on an island with Rams receiver Cooper Kupp early in the third quarter. Kupp easily beat Jones and brought the ball home for a 69-yard touchdown.
The coaching staff also made the decision not to use star cornerback Christian Gonzalez as a shadow player for Kupp or Puka Nacua. In the end, both receivers recorded over 100 receiving yards each.
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
For a player making only his sixth NFL start, Drake Maye looked so calm and poised. He made some tight window throws while under pressure against an aggressive Rams defensive front. There isn't much help around Maye, but he continues to encourage his teammates and give them a chance to compete every week. What more could you ask for from a 22-year-old quarterback in the NFL?
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Cooper Kupp turned Jonathan Jones into burnt toast with a botched blitz early in the third quarter. The Patriots sent home on defense, leaving Jones in one-on-one coverage with Kupp. It ended up being a big mistake as Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford hit Kupp for a long touchdown to break the game wide open.
Winslow Townson/Getty Images
This was a tough return game for Kyle Dugger, but he was also sidelined the last two weeks recovering from an ankle injury. He missed several tackles during the game and the performance did not match his talent. The Patriots desperately need him to settle in and become a key playmaker on defense again.
