New England Patriots (6-6) at Los Angeles Rams (8-4)
The New England Patriots visit the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night at 8:20 p.m. ET. Here’s our complete guide to Patriots Rams Bet Tips.
All odds and lines from PointsBet, current as of Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. ET.
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Patriots Rams Bet Tips
Patriots Rams Odds and Betting Lines
- Against The Spread: Rams -6 (-110)/Patriots +6 (-110)
- Moneyline: Rams (-270)/ Patriots (+215)
- Total: 44.5 — Over 44.5 (-110)/Under 44.5 (-110)
- Implied Team Totals: Rams 25.25, Patriots 19.25
The Patriots are 4-1 in their past five games, completely turning their season around and getting back into the playoff picture — two of those wins were over the Ravens and Cardinals. They will attempt to win their third straight game with a victory over the Rams on Thursday night.
The Rams are 4-2 in their past six games, but 3-1 in their past four. Neck and neck with the Seahawks for first place in the NFC West, the Rams could ill-afford a loss to the Patriots in a game that they should win.
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Patriots-Rams Key Injuries
Patriots
Patriots TE Ryan Izzo is considered day-to-day with a neck injury. While he is not a significant loss, Izzo is New England’s top receiving tight end with a meager 13/199/0 stat line on 20 targets. If Izzo misses Week 14, Jordan Thomas is likely the next man up. Thomas was claimed off waivers back in early November following a stint with the Cardinals and has received one target in two games active for the Patriots.
Rams
Rams RB Darrell Henderson is day-to-day with a knee injury. While he was once the Rams’ lead back, he has faded in favor of Cam Akers, who’s also dealing with a shoulder injury.
Henderson has totaled 135 yards and two touchdowns on 33 touches in each of his four games combined, and Akers has recently taken over as the Rams’ top back. (More on that in a bit.) Whoever’s active for the Rams will be vital for the backfield’s upside.
Patriots-Rams Players to Watch
The Patriots know their formula to win football games with their current crew. In last week’s throttling of the Chargers, Cam Newton only managed 69 passing yards and a touchdown on 12-of-19 attempts. In fact, Newton has now recorded back-to-back games with fewer than 84 passing yards and fewer than 19 attempts. The Patriots have won both of those games.
New England is winning by running the football and controlling the tempo of the game. They know they cant get into shootouts and walk away victorious most of the time. In last week’s win, Newton, Damien Harris, and Sony Michel combined for 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries. All three players had at least 10 totes.
As long as the Patriots can effectively run the football, they will remain in games. That is the key to defeating the Rams on Sunday. However, the Rams are no easy out. Their defense is outstanding, allowing the second-fewest total yards (291.3) and fifth-fewest points (20.1). They are also a top-three unit in the fewest rushing yards and passing yards per game.
Rams rookie RB Cam Akers is now the third different Los Angeles running back to take control of the backfield. Earlier in the season, we have seen both Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown flash. Now, it is Akers’ turn.
In last week’s win over the Cardinals, Akers managed career highs in total yards (94) and touches (22), adding a touchdown to his totals. Akers has scored a touchdown in three consecutive games while managing 84 total yards in each of his past two outings. While Henderson and Brown will still get the leftovers, it appears that Akers is now the guy.
Akers will look to extend his scoring streak to four games while logging his first game with 100 total yards on Thursday night against the Patriots. New England’s defense is allowing the 15th-most rushing yards per game (118.8) this season.
Patriots Rams Weather Report
The weather at SoFi Stadium will not impact the outcome of the game as it is a dome.
Patriots Rams Bet Tips
BEST BET: Under 44.5 (-110)
There won’t be a lot of points scored in this game. The Rams have a top-five defensive unit across the board while the Patriots’ offense is abysmal at times. While they did drop 45 on the Chargers last week, Los Angeles’ defense is amongst one of the worst in the league. Normally, New England is averaging 20.8 points per game, good for six-fewest in the league. The 20.8 PPG Patriots are what we are used to seeing.
The Patriots’ defense does not give up a ton either. They are seventh in points allowed per game (21.3). You can also stifle the Rams’ offense as they are only scoring the 17th most PPG (25.1). And considering how the Patriots run their offense — run dominant — the pace of the game is slowed down, which bodes well for the Under.
The Under is 7-3 in the Patriots’ past 10 games. The Under has hit in each of their past four.
The Under is 7-3 in the Rams’ past 10 games, but 1-2 in their past three.
The Under is 3-1 in the past four meetings between the Patriots and Rams.
CONSIDER: Rams -6 (-110)
Outside of a win over the Ravens during the Patriots’ recent run of success, their opposing defenses were not amongst the league’s best. Their poor offensive play could especially show against the Rams. This will be a close game, but the Rams should cover.
The Rams have a much-superior offense and defense compared to the Patriots. They also have the preferred quarterback this time around contrary to their Super Bowl meeting a few years ago. Jared Goff is better than Cam Newton and Tom Brady is now in Tampa Bay.
The Patriots are 4-2 against the spread in their past six games and 3-1 in their past four.
The Rams are 4-2 against the spread in their past six games and 3-1 in their past four.
CONSIDER: Patriots (+215)
The Patriots and Rams are both hot. However, aside from coaching, I give the Rams the edge everywhere else. Player personnel-wise, it is not close either.
Just like Jared Goff and company sought revenge against Tom Brady over Super Bowl 53 earlier in the season. They are out for it again with the Patriots and Bill Belichick.
Anthony Cervino is 41-35-1 on his NFL Best Bets in 2020.
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