The defense is supposed to be the strength of the Rams. They sure didn't look like it on the Patriots' first offensive series Sunday.
On fourth-and-1 at the Rams' 43-yard line, the Patriots kept their offense on the field to pick up the first down. They handed the ball to LeGarrette Blount, who delivered a touchdown instead of a fresh set of downs.
But that's not why I'm writing this story. I'm writing this one because of what Rams safety Maurice Alexander did during Blount's touchdown run. Instead of tackling Blount in space, Alexander made a business decision: He ran in the opposite direction of Blount before feebly attempting to tackle him.
He. Is. A. BEAST.@lg_blount goes 43 yards to the HOUSE. #LAvsNEhttps://t.co/0qy4Nf5eq8
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2016
It looked like they were racing:
The reason Alexander's tackle attempt didn't result in a tackle? He was facing the wrong way.
After the game, which the Patriots won, Blount had some thoughts:
Blount on scouting the Rams and his TD: "We know they bail when it's one-on-one tackling."
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) December 4, 2016
In other news, Bill Belichick might've expertly trolled Jeff Fisher by using all three of his running backs on that opening drive. In the lead-up to the game, the Rams coach spoke highly of the Patriots' running backs by referring to players named "Danny" and "Brandon."
Danny Woodhead plays for the Chargers and Brandon Bolden has carried the ball for New England once all season. Dion (Lewis) and James (White) were the names Fisher was looking for.
Oh, one more thing: The Rams reportedly gave Fisher a contract extension.
