The Rams defeated the New England Patriots 28-22 on Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
What we learned from a win that improved the Rams’ record to 5-5:
Matthew Stafford continues to climb the record book
Quarterback Matthew Stafford passed for four touchdowns and took sole possession of 10th on the NFL career list with 370. Stafford was tied with Eli Manning at 366.
Stafford, who completed 18 of 27 passes for 295 yards, connected with Cooper Kupp on touchdown pass plays of five and 69 yards, with Puka Nacua for a 12-yard touchdown and with tight end Colby Parkinson for a 19-yard touchdown .
Earlier this season, Stafford moved past Manning to 10th in career yards passing. He has also moved up to ninth in completions.
“It’s humbling,” said Stafford, the top pick in the 2009 draft. “It’s obviously every week when something happens.
“It’s really cool to be part of that. I love this game, love the history of it, have so much appreciation for the guys that came before me, and actually the guys that are coming after me.
Stafford has thrown for 13 touchdowns this season, including seven interceptions.
Receiver Puka Nacua keeps coming back
After diving to catch a touchdown pass in the second quarter, Puka Nacua was assisted off the field by trainers and examined in the sideline medical tent.
“They were careful with him because he was throwing up,” coach Sean McVay said. “He fell on the ball. He’s so crazy.”
Read more: Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua were involved in a very different way during the Rams victory
Nacua caught seven passes for 123 yards.
Nacua, who sat out the first five games due to a knee injury, also had over 100 yards receiving against the Minnesota Vikings.
Rookie center Beaux Limmer strengthens line
After Monday’s debacle against the Miami Dolphins, McVay put rookie center Beaux Limmer back in the lineup in place of Jonah Jackson.
Limmer had replaced Jackson for more than eight games after Jackson suffered a shoulder injury in the season opener against the Detroit Lions. Against the Dolphins, however, Jackson returned along with left guard Steve Avila and swing tackle Joe Noteboom.
On Sunday, second-year pro Warren McClendon Jr. started. with the right tackle in place of the injured Noteboom.
The line didn’t give up a sack, and running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum averaged 5.7 and 4.2 yards per carry, respectively.
“You win up front,” said Alaric Jackson, “you win the game.”
Rookies Braden Fiske and Kam Kinchens make plays
Defensive lineman Braden Fiske had two sacks, including one that forced Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to fumble. Tackle Kobie Turner recovered the fumble and on the ensuing play, Stafford passed to Nacua for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead.
Fiske, a second-round pick out of Florida State, said he didn’t realize it was a strip sack because he thought Maye’s arm was moving forward. Officials reviewed the piece and confirmed that Maye had tampered.
“I couldn’t draw it any better,” Fiske said. “Get the strip sack in the 20, the offense goes down and scores. Man, that’s about as good as it gets.
Read more: Rams defeated Patriots on ‘a strange day’ ahead of a challenging series of games
Kinchens, a safety from Miami who was drafted in the third round, intercepted a pass with just under two minutes remaining to seal the victory.
On November 3, Kinchens intercepted two passes against the Seattle Seahawks, including one that he returned 103 yards for a touchdown.
Linebacker Michael Hoecht is doing something special
Outside linebacker Michael Hoecht played college football at Brown, in Providence, RI, about a 30-minute drive from the stadium.
Hoecht made a big play early in the fourth quarter after the Patriots pulled within 28-19 on a touchdown pass to offensive lineman Vederian Lowe.
Hoecht blocked Joey Slye’s extra point attempt and maintained a nine-point (and two-possession) lead.
Hoecht made six tackles and broke up a pass.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
