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Patriots brace for resurgent Rams

Oct 21, 2008 - 6:32 PM ST. LOUIS (2-4) at NEW ENGLAND (4-2), 1:00 pm EDT

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- The New England Patriots took six weeks to show their may be life after Tom Brady.

The Patriots, coming off a resounding win on Monday Night Football, host the resurgent St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

Matt Cassel, who was thrust into the lineup when Brady suffered a season-ending injury in Week One, threw for 185 yards and three touchdowns to lead New England to a 41-7 rout of the Denver Broncos in the team's finest outing of the season.

"Offensively, it was our best game and he is a big part of that," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of Cassel.

New England also amassed 257 yards on the ground, including 138 and a touchdown by Sammy Morris before leaving the game with a knee injury.

"If we can run the ball like that, we'll be in good hands," Cassel said. "That really opens up the passing game because then you have to respect the run."

Wide receiver Randy Moss, who entered the game with just one touchdown reception, doubled that total with a pair of scoring catches as the Patriots registered their highest point total since November 18, 2007.

All was not perfect, however, for New England, which lost safety Rodney Harrison for the season with a torn quadriceps injury.

Morris' injury could also prove troublesome, as Laurence Maroney was placed on season-ending injured reserve Monday and LaMont Jordan has missed two straight games with a calf injury. Rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis tacked on 65 yards and a TD against Denver.

The Rams, who were in danger of flat-lining after absorbing four straight beatings to open the season, have shown renewed life under interim head coach Jim Haslett.

St. Louis has posted back-to-back victories over NFC East foes, following a road victory at Washington with last week's 34-14 dismantling of the Dallas Cowboys.

Running back Steven Jackson shredded the Cowboys for 160 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Rams reel off 34 unanswered points.

St. Louis also has showed a renewed spirit on defense, allowing 31 points combined the past two weeks after being torched for an average of 36-plus points through the first four games.