Bob Balfe
NFL
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 456
Patriots +4 over Rams
Patriots/Rams Over 43
The Rams were embarrassed last week at home against the struggling Dolphins and now have to play an early Eastern Time start coming from the West Coast. Last week, the Rams returned key offensive linemen to the lineup. It didn’t help them; to make matters worse, they were injured again. Tackles Joe Noteboom and Rob Havenstein will miss today’s game. The Rams have outstanding skill players in Tutu Atwell, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Tyler Higbee, so I expect them to move the ball. New England has confidence after beating up the Bears last week. Drake Maye will get better each week, and there are even talks of using Tennessee Vols grad Joe Mixon more as he is surging in practice. The Patriots can win this game in the trenches by running the ball with Rhamondre Stevenson. New England has excellent tight-end play that can help them move the chains. The Patriots might be at the bottom of the division, but so were the Dolphins when they beat the Rams last week. Los Angeles is an unconfident team playing on a short week turnaround. Look for the Patriots to keep it close. Take New England and the Over. No Parlays.