Even Rams Star Surprised About This Decision By Patriots’ Defense

FOXBORO, Mass. — Even the Rams were surprised.

The Los Angeles Rams took advantage of questionable game-planning by the New England Patriots staff en route to a 28-22 win at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

New England opted to put top cornerback Christian Gonzalez on the boundary rather than shadow Rams wideout Puka Nacua or Cooper Kupp. New England’s reliance on zone defenses also routinely led to chunk plays for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and company.

Given Gonzalez’s success against some of the league’s top wideouts, it was a perplexing decision that surprised just about everyone.

“We definitely were coming in expecting to see man, that’s what they had shown,” Nacua said from the visiting locker room at Gillette Stadium. “I wouldn’t say there was too many man (opportunities) that they gave us, but we were ready. Coach dialed up the right play.”

Nacua finished with seven receptions on nine targets for 123 yards and a touchdown. His 38-yard reception on LA’s first drive highlighted his catches against zone coverage. Kupp added six receptions on seven targets for 106 yards and two touchdowns, including a 69-yard score when he beat cornerback Jonathan Jones.

Rams head coach Sean McVay downplayed the scheme advantage he had against Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. But it was clear McVay did his best to stay away from Gonzalez, having Demarcus Robinson take Gonzalez’s attention on the boundary.

“If you have the opportunity to be able to stay away from certain things you have to be able to do that,” McVay said after the win. “He’s (Gonzalez) a great player. I think it just kind of worked out that way and there were some instances where he was at the point of attack. But all things being equal, if you had your choice, you’d say let’s stay away from him.”

Mayo said he thought the decision to play Gonzalez on the boundary was the best decision for the team, and didn’t have any second-guesses after the loss. Gonzalez said he simply was doing what was asked from him.

The Rams aren’t complaining.