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Players to Watch: Patriots at Rams
Patriots.com's Mike Dussault shares his players to watch ahead of the Patriots matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.


Cam Newton, QB: Newton will look to get the Patriots back on the winning-season track after helping the Patriots pull away in their dominant win over the Chargers. Newton played safe with the ball and made plays, mostly with his legs, to produce touchdowns. He'll need to be even better on a short week against an excellent defense.

Damien Harris, RB: Harris continued his breakout season against the Chargers, tallying 80 yards and providing sparks, early and late. After two weeks averaging under four yards-per-carry, Harris was back over five for the sixth time this season.

Josh Uche, LB: Uche played his most extensive snaps of the season against the Chargers and is continuing to make more pass rush noise. Part of a blossoming group of youngsters, Uche could be a force for opposing quarterbacks to deal with and could be a stretch-run finisher.

Stephon Gilmore, CB: Gilmore was excellent against the Chargers, manhandling Keenan Allen early and being in lock-step coverage all day long. Gilmore's role will likely change against the Rams but, as he did in the Super Bowl, should still play a big part in the defensive effort.

Lawrence Guy, DT: The Patriots were lucky to only need Lawrence Guy for 22 snaps against the Chargers. The extra rest should serve the vital defensive lineman well because he'll be needed in an expanded capacity against the Rams. A key part of the Super Bowl game plan, if Guy dominates the interior of their offensive line again the Rams will struggle to string together drives.

Jared Goff, QB: The Rams quarterback is having a bounce-back season, throwing 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions but remains inconsistent in 2020, throwing six interceptions in his last five games. He'll look to solve a Patriots defense that held him to just three points in Super Bowl 53.

Aaron Donald, DL: Donald remains the most disruptive defensive linemen in the NFL and is tied for the league lead with 11 sacks. The Patriots offensive line will need to be on their game, as Donald will test all of them throughout the contest.

Robert Woods, WR: Woods has 71 catches and leads the team with five touchdowns, as he is part of a deadly duo that has carved up NFL defenses for 1,600 yards this season. Woods also has 20 rushing attempts as the Rams get creative to get the ball in his hands.

Cooper Kupp, WR: Kupp leads the team with 74 catches and 834 yards and is Goff's go-to in critical moments. Kupp is particularly feisty after the catch, where he often picks up extra yardage for teams that don't get him to the ground. The Rams missed him in the Super Bowl.

Johnny Hekker, P: The Patriots have one of the best punters in the game but there's no denying that Hekker is special, leading the league with 25 punts inside the 25-yard line. Certainly, Patriots will be hoping to see plenty of Hekker's talents on display, but hoping he doesn't pin their offense too deep.