FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Patriots Tom Brady became the NFL’s career leader in victories by a quarterback, earning his 201st by throwing for 269 yards and a touchdown to lead the New England Patriots past the struggling Los Angeles Rams 26-10 on Sunday.
Brady, who was 33 of 46, had tied Peyton Manning last week in a win over the New York Jets.
His lone touchdown pass came on a 14-yard pass to Chris Hogan in the first quarter. LeGarrette Blount scored the game’s first touchdown , rumbling for a 43-yard, ankle-breaking score in the first quarter while spinning around safety Maurice Alexander in the process. He finished with 88 yards on 18 carries.
The Patriots (10-2) have won seven of their last eight as they prepare for a tough stretch against three teams with winning records over their final four regular-season games.
On the same day that Los Angeles coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead were given contract extensions, the recently relocated Rams (4-8) proved they still have a long way to go after losing for the seventh time in eight outings.
The Rams entered the game ranked 31st in total offense, averaging just 295 yards per game. Those struggles continued Sunday. They managed just 25 yards in the first half, the fewest by a team in a game this season.
Los Angeles was outgained 402-162 for the game.
In his third career start, rookie Jared Goff was picked off twice, completing 14 of 32 passes for 161 yards.
The Patriots brought back their 2001 team to celebrate their first Super Bowl championship.
Owner Robert Kraft and the players who beat the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI took the field at halftime of Sunday’s game against the now-Los Angeles Rams. Drew Bledsoe told the crowd: “We are all so proud to be a part of the team that started this tradition of championships in New England.”
His wide receiver, Troy Brown, dropped a naughty word in front of the crowd of 65,000.
The Patriots beat the heavily favored Rams 20-17 on a field goal by Adam Vinatieri as time expired to win their first NFL title. Tom Brady, who took over from Bledsoe when he was injured that season, has led New England to three more Super Bowl championships since then.
RAMS FUTILITY: How bad was the Rams’ offense in the first half? The Patriots had more fourth-down conversions (two), than the Rams had total first downs (one). New England had 12 total first downs. Los Angeles also ran just 18 offensive plays, compared to 42 for the Patriots.
FORCING TURNOVERS: After not forcing a turnover for 44 straight possessions, with interceptions by cornerback Malcolm Butler in the first quarter and linebacker Kyle Van Noy in the third marked four takeaways for the Patriots’ defense over the past two games.
BIG FOOT: Rams P Johnny Hekker had a 76-yard punt in the fourth quarter. It was his third punt this season of 75 or more yards. He had boots of 75 and 78 yards last month against the Panthers and Jets.
INJURIES: Rams CB E.J. Gaines sustained quad injury in the second quarter. Patriots WR Danny Amendola left late in the third quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. CB Eric Rowe also did not return after leaving with a hamstring injury.
UP NEXT
Rams: Host the Falcons on Sunday.
Patriots: Host the Raves on Monday night.