Opinion: By bullying their old foes on national stage, Rams confirm how far the Patriots have fallen
Let’s not get too blown away by the way the Los Angeles Rams smacked up the New England Patriots Thursday night at SoFi Stadium.
Yes, the 24-3 victory in Inglewood, California, provided a degree of redemption for Sean McVay, Jared Goff and the Rams, who got outcoached and outplayed by Bill Belichick and the Patriots in a 13-3 Super Bowl LIII defeat the last time these squads faced.
And Thursday’s performance reflected the growth that McVay, his quarterback and revamped roster as a whole have achieved in the two seasons since. They’re physical on both sides of the ball. They’re well-rounded. They impose their will on opponents. Rookie running back Cam Akers and the Rams’ line gashed New England for 171 rushing yards, and the defense mauled the Patriots’ offense.
This LA squad just might be even better than that Super Bowl team from 2018.
More: Four NFL teams that currently hold playoff spots could be in danger of December collapse
But Thursday’s outcome said much more about how far Belichick’s Patriots have declined following an offseason that saw Tom Brady bolt for Tampa Bay and eight players – including safety Patrick Chung and linebacker Dont'a Hightower – opt out because of COVID-19 concerns.
With the loss, the Patriots dropped to 6-7. This is not only the first time in 18 years they have lost seven games or more in a season but also the first time since that 2002 campaign New England will not post double-digit victories.
Another impressive streak also is about to snap. With a victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday, Buffalo can clinch the AFC East title, ending New England’s 11-year reign.
The schedule says three games remain, but the Pats are done.
At times this season we believed Belichick with all of his infinite football knowledge and masterful coaching skills would be able to still position this team for success. At times this squad showed flashes that made us believe that maybe it could exceed expectations.
But in reality, all the warts were exposed this season, and Thursday night simply affirmed how inadequately constructed this Patriots team is.
We can all admit now that the Cam Newton experiment did not play out as hoped. When he signed with New England late this summer, it looked like a marriage made in heaven. Newton had a chip on his shoulder after his dismissal from the Carolina Panthers. Belichick had a chip on his shoulder over questions about whether he’d be able to win without Brady. Newton and Belichick needed each other.
Early this season it looked as if Newton would allow Belichick and Josh McDaniels to rebrand the offense behind his dual-threat capabilities. But for much of the fall, Newton (the 2015 league MVP) has looked like a shell of himself, delivering only two 300-yard games and only one other outing of 200-plus passing yards. He has mustered only five passing touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions. He has recorded 11 rushing touchdowns, but the Patriots have needed much more.
The Patriots have become a power-running team with Newton at the helm. But this offense is anything but potent, and McDaniels’ play calling in the red zone has become unimaginative and ineffective.
But you can’t even put this all on Newton. Yes, his accuracy has been an issue at times. But New England has no game-changing talent at wide receiver. And it lacks a pass-catching threat at tight end (a position that served as a security blanket for Newton during his time in Carolina).
McDaniel can scheme receivers open from 20-yard line to 20-yard line. But once the field shrinks, the Patriots are sunk because of the lack of size and explosiveness at the position. There’s no one who can win 1-on-1 matchups. For years, this team has failed to identify, draft and develop talent at wide receiver. Brady elevated and masked deficiencies at that position. But now, with the future Hall of Famer gone, New England’s ineptitude has been magnified.
Despite benching him in the fourth quarter, Belichick said after the game Newton remains the starter. Still, it seems highly unlikely Newton will return for another season in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Belichick bristled at the idea of making a change to Jarrett Stidham (the 2019 fourth-round pick out of Auburn, whom coaches are said to be high on). But it would make sense to give him a chance to show if he is a viable option for the future.
To date, Stidham hasn't exactly impressed during the spot duty he has received in six games over two seasons. He has completed 50% of his passes for two touchdowns, 199 yards and four interceptions. But what do the Pats have to lose?
This feels almost like a funeral. But it could be premature to declare that the Patriots' dynasty has completely crumbled.
This remains a well-coached team. It’s just sorely lacking in difference-making talent. The return of familiar faces on defense and smart acquisitions in the draft and free agency could reinvigorate the franchise. It’ll be interesting to see what quarterback options present themselves in free agency or trade (could former Patriot Jimmy Garoppolo become available?).
A quick rebound isn’t out of the question.
But for now it’s time to stick a fork in this Patriots team. They’re a long way away from that Super Bowl LIII celebration. We’ve known this. The Rams simply confirmed how far the mighty have fallen.
Follow Paste BN Sports’ Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones and listen to the Football Jones podcast on iTunes.
If you enjoy talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. Join our Facebook Group, The Ruling Off the Field, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with fellow football fans and our NFL insiders. Do the right thing, sign up now!