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Rams at Patriots: Game preview, odds, prediction

By John Buhler

Nov 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (19) celebrates with running back LeGarrette Blount (29) after scoring the game winning touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (19) celebrates with running back LeGarrette Blount (29) after scoring the game winning touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New England Patriots will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon in Week 13. Here is a game preview, the betting odds, and a pick prediction.

The New England Patriots (9-2) will host the Los Angeles Rams (4-7) for a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Sunday, Dec. 4 in Week 13. FOX will have the telecast.

Los Angeles is reeling and is about out of the NFC Playoffs picture entering Week 13. The Rams got smoked on the road at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome by the New Orleans Saints in Week 13. The only reasons that the Rams are still alive in the NFC West race is that the Seattle Seahawks lost on the road in Week 12 and Los Angeles has a head-to-head win over Seattle.

New England is Super Bowl or bust in 2016. The Patriots don’t have a championship caliber defense, but this is New England we are talking about. They would have the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs if the season ended today at 9-2. Anything less than a sixth straight AFC Championship Game would be a massive letdown in Foxborough.

Odds

Point Spread: New England -13.5
Moneylines: New England -900, Los Angeles +600
Over/Under: 44.5

According to OddsShark.com, the Patriots will be laying a massive 13.5 points at home to the visiting Rams. The associated moneylines are New England -900 and Los Angeles +600. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 44.5 points.

Here are the trends to know with regards to the Rams: 1.) Los Angeles is 1-5-1 against the spread and 1-6 straight up in its last seven games. 2.) The Rams have gone under in four of their last five games. 3.) They are 4-7-1 against the spread in their last 12 road games. 4.) Los Angeles is 8-17 straight up in its last 25 games.

Here are the trends to know about the Patriots: 1.) New England is 8-3 against the spread in its last 11 games. 2.) The Patriots are 6-1 straight up in their last seven games. 3.) They have gone under in six of their last nine games. 4.) New England is 5-2 against the spread in its last seven home games. 5.) The Patriots are 21-4 straight up in their last 25 games.

This one is not going to be particularly close, but the massive point spread in New England’s favor would have told you that. The point total will probably be under for two reasons: 1.) The December weather in New England 2.) This is the Rams offense we are talking about.

The weather forecast calls for rain. Maybe that helps the Rams or maybe it hurts them? It will limit much of anything rookie quarterback Jared Goff can do on Sunday, however, a low-scoring affair in the mud is really the Rams’ only shot at shocking New England.

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Look for New England to pound the rock with LeGarrette Blount and make this one grossly in New England’s favor. Still take the under though…

Pick: Patriots 24, Rams 10

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