Rams still don't have the offensive pieces around Jared GoffAlden Gonzalez
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots began the game with the ball, so Jared Goff made it a point to watch Tom Brady.
"Just to see him," Goff said, "and watch him play."
It all ended in a 26-10 Patriots win that was a lot more lopsided than the score would indicate. It gave Brady an NFL-record 201st career win and left Goff, the Los Angeles Rams' rookie quarterback and 2016 No. 1 overall pick, searching for his first.
It also reminded us of something: Having a franchise quarterback doesn't mean much if he does not have the proper pieces around him.
Jared Goff completed only 14 of 32 passes Sunday, but the Rams rookie didn't get much help from his receivers or his offensive line. AP Photo/Steven Senne
Goff's line -- 14-of-32 for 161 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions -- looked a lot better because of a very late 66-yard completion to Kenny Britt, which came on fourth-and-11 with less than two minutes remaining.
But Goff didn't get much help.
Britt, who caught a 1-yard touchdown pass shortly after his 66-yard reception, dropped three catchable balls from Goff, two of them right after absorbing hits. Brian Quick dropped a couple of balls too, one on a throw a little high and another behind him. Rookie Pharoh Cooper dropped a ball to his chest after taking a hit from Malcolm Butler. And Lance Kendricks made the biggest gaffe of all as the first quarter was winding down.
The Rams tight end was wide open while coming across the field, but Goff's throw went through his hands, shot up in the air and was caught by Butler, giving the Patriots the ball at the Rams' 30-yard line and eventually leading to their second score.
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