Building consistency is a significant factor for a team amid a rebuild. And coming off a big win against the Bears in Chicago in Week 10, the Patriots can certainly develop some of that if they can generate the same kind of effort against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in Foxboro.
The Rams haven't exactly been a model of consistency in posting a 4-5 record through nine games, particularly with all the talent they have led by quarterback Matthew Stafford.
This is a very winnable game for New England against an opponent flying from the West Coast for a 1 p.m. kickoff. This is not the Rams' defense of the past, so this is a unit quarterback Drake Maye can have another decent game against, as Los Angeles has surrendered 24 points per game and is coming off a tough home loss to Miami.
New England's pass rush and Maye's performance will be the biggest factors in this game, so what will unlock a second straight win for the Pats?
3 keys to the Patriots beating the Rams in Week 11
1. Put pressure on Matthew Stafford
The Patriots' defense should be able to tee off on the Rams' veteran signal-caller, as the Rams' offensive line is banged up. Stafford was sacked four times in the loss to Miami, while the Patriots got to Caleb Williams a whopping nine times in their win over the Bears.
Stafford is not a scrambler but tends to get rid of the ball quickly, so the Patriots must be disciplined in their pass rush. Look for the defense to play with some inspiration after Christian Barmore returned to practice this week.
2. Get Chef Maye in the kitchen
Aaron Donald is not walking through that door for the Rams, and the Patriots' beleaguered offensive line has shown signs of growth over these last few games. Los Angeles is giving up 220 passing yards per game, so this is a defense Maye could have a field day against.
Look for New England to establish the run early with Rhamondre Stevenson and allow Maye to get the play-action game going. If Maye takes care of the football and gets off to a great start, it could be a great day for the rookie.
3. Get out of the blocks fast
Every runner knows the first man off the starting line doesn't always win the race, but when facing a West Coast opponent, getting off to a fast start is a big X-factor. The Rams fly across the country for a 1:00 game, so they may be a little sleepy early.
The Patriots need to take advantage of that and stay ahead of the 8-ball. If New England can race out to a lead early, the Patriots will need to keep their feet on the gas.