Where: Wembley Stadium, London (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Patriots by 7
Forecast: Cloudy, high near 50, with a 30 percent chance of showers
Records: Rams (Overall: 3-4, NFC West: 2-0); Patriots (Overall: 4-3, AFC East 2-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 26, 2008: Patriots 23, Rams 16; Nov. 7, 2004: Patriots 40, Rams 22. Series record: Tied 5-5.
What matters: The Rams, who have forced one turnover in the past three games, must create a takeaway or two against a New England offense that ranks first in scoring (31.0) and total yards (436.1). Offensively, St. Louis needs to be more efficient in the red zone. The Rams have scored touchdowns on 41.2 percent of their red-zone trips, which is tied for 28th. The Pats rank ninth at 58.1 percent.
It’s technically a home game for the Rams, but Wembley Stadium in London might not even feel like a neutral site. Tom Brady and the Pats are a much bigger draw internationally.
Who matters: QB Sam Bradford, playing behind a makeshift line, has been up-and-down this season. He ranks 21st in passer rating (81.5) and has thrown seven TDs against six INTs. After throwing for 315 yards against the Dolphins, he was inaccurate vs. Green Bay. Bradford must pick apart the porous Pats secondary for the Rams to win. New England allows 290 passing yards per game (29th in NFL) and pressures opposing QBs on just 24.7 percent of their drop-backs.
Key matchups: The Pats are banged up at safety, which could mean another big play for WR Chris Givens. The explosive rookie leads the NFL with four catches of 50-plus yards. … Pats WR Wes Welker (54 catches, 688 yards, 2 TDs) is the league’s best slot receiver. He’ll go up against Cortland Finnegan (3 INTs), the second-best slot corner, according to Pro Football Focus.
Injuries of note: Leading WR Danny Amendola, who separated his SC joint Oct. 4, returned to limited practices this week and is listed as questionable. He's not expected to play until after the bye week.
LB Mario Haggan (thigh), DT Matt Conrath (knee) and LT Wayne Hunter (back) are questionable. If Hunter can’t play, Joe Barksdale would start. The second-year pro out of LSU played well last week in an emergency start despite drawing one false-start flag.
DE Eugene Sims (knee) is out.
Inside stuff: Bradford has is just 10 of 29 on deep balls (passes targeted at least 20 yards downfield), with three TDs and three INTs. But three of the incompletions were drops. … Steven Jackson ranks 12th among running backs with 267 yards after contact. … Opposing QBs have posted a lowly 57.0 passer rating when throwing at CB Bradley Fletcher. That’s 14th-best among corners.
Connections: Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels held the same position with the Rams last season. … Pats WR Brandon Lloyd played most of last season in St. Louis after being traded from Denver, catching 51 passes for 683 yards and five scores. … Rams OL coach Paul Boudreau held the same position with the Patriots from 1997-98.
Stats you should know: K Greg Zuerlein has hit five FGs of 50-plus yards. … The Rams rank 16th in rushing (106.1), averaging 4.2 yards per carry. They rank 24th in passing (209.0). … St. Louis ranks ninth in points allowed (20.1).
Looking ahead: The Rams will enter their bye week 4-4 or 3-5, then rest up for a difficult trip to NFC West leader San Francisco. Amendola could return for that Nov. 11 game, providing a much-needed boost to the struggling offense.
Prediction: Patriots 27, Rams 23
Get more Rams updates and analysis from Larry Hartstein @CBSRams.
