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sports Saturday 12 december 2020
With playoffs unlikely, fading Patriots have questions at QB

By KYLE HIGHTOWER Cornerback Myles Bryant
AP Sports Writer continues to impress. The
For the first time in more undrafted rookie notched
than a decade, the New his first career interception
England Patriots will head in the first quarter, wrestling
into their final three games the ball away from Robert
of the season with an un- Woods for the pick. Bryant
settled playoff fate. rolled to his feet and re-
The Patriots entered the turned the ball 32 yards for
week in 10th place in the an apparent touchdown,
AFC and trudging through but he was ruled down by
one of their worst years of contact after a review, ne-
Bill Belichick’s tenure. Now gating the score.
6-7 following a 24-3 loss to STOCK DOWN
the Los Angeles Rams on The run defense. LA’s Cam
Thursday night, New Eng- Akers rushed for 35 yards
land’s long-shot hopes of on the second play of the
extending an NFL-record game. It set the tone for a
run of 11 consecutive play- night on which Los Angeles
off appearances have fad- picked through a New Eng-
ed even more. land defense that allowed
And the questions about 186 rushing yards. It marked
New England’s future at New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, center, is sacked by Los Angeles Rams the fourth time the Patriots
quarterback that surround- linebacker Kenny Young during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, have given up 150 or more
ed the team this offsea- in Inglewood, Calif. Associated Press yards on the ground this
son following Tom Brady’s season.
departure have returned, permanent change could keep fighting. We’ll see tered the game leading INJURIES
with perhaps even greater be on the horizon. But when how it works out,” he said. the NFL with a 26.9-yard Safety Adrian Phillips in-
urgency. The Patriots’ loss asked postgame whether “But there’s no easy answer punt return average, re- jured his hand before half-
to the Rams was marked he plans to continue with other than we have three turned a punt 21 yards in time, but returned in the
by the same problems that Newton as the starter, games left. The goal is still the fourth quarter. Nick Folk second half. Damien Harris,
have plagued New Eng- Belichick was unequivocal. the same. Try to win the re- also extended his made who leads the team in rush-
land for most of 2020. “Cam’s our quarterback,” maining three games.” field goals streak to 21. ing, also left the field in the
Cam Newton’s struggles he said. Belichick was que- It was a sentiment that WHAT NEEDS HELP fourth quarter.
in the passing game re- ried again on Friday and was repeated by his team- When New England did KEY NUMBER
emerged, leaving the of- again dismissed the idea of mates. move the ball on offense, it 17 — The streak of consec-
fense one-dimensional starting Stidham. “We ain’t a bunch of quit- couldn’t finish drives, which utive 10-win seasons by the
and predictable opposite “I’ve answered that ques- ters,” defensive tackle Law- has been a familiar refrain. Patriots that was snapped
a dogged Los Angeles de- tion for the last time,” rence Guy said. “It doesn’t The Patriots were 0 for 4 in with Thursday’s loss.
fense that disrupted the Belichick said. matter what the record is. the red zone Thursday and NEXT STEPS
Patriots’ run game and As for where the Patriots It doesn’t matter what the failed to reach the end At a minimum, New Eng-
plowed through an offen- go from here, safety and outcome is. ... We’re going zone for the second time land will be two games out
sive line that surrendered a team captain Devin Mc- to go out there and play this season. Through 13 of the AFC’s final wild-card
season-high six sacks. Courty said their approach some football.” games, they are ranked spot following this week-
It led to Newton being will remain unchanged un- WHAT’S WORKING 27th in the NFL in the red end’s games. The Patriots
benched in the fourth til they’re eliminated from Special teams play contin- zone, scoring a touchdown finish the season against
quarter in favor of backup playoff contention. ues to be one of the few on 52.3% of their opportuni- the Dolphins (8-4), the AFC
Jarrett Stidham, raising the “Just keep playing. It is bright spots for the Patriots. ties. East-leading Bills (9-3) and
question of whether a more what it is right now. We’ll Gunner Olszewski, who en- STOCK UP the winless Jets (0-12).q

Joshua, Pulev weigh in, then talk trash wearing face masks

LONDON (AP) — Heavy- one point. care of business against
weight champion Anthony The Bulgarian challeng- the hardened Pulev, who
Joshua and challenger Ku- er will fight at his lightest didn’t wait for Saturday
brat Pulev jawed at each weight — 239 1/2 pounds to get things started. He
other through black face (108 3/4 kilograms) — in yelled at Joshua even be-
masks Friday on the eve 11 years. The 31-year-old fore the champion was
of their title fight at Wemb- Joshua will be lean as well able to weigh in.
ley Arena. Joshua pointed after weighing in at 240 3/4 Promoter Eddie Hearn re-
a finger in Pulev’s face as pounds (109 kilograms). layed some of the face-to-
they exchanged words That’s slightly heavier than face exchange:
while beefy security guards his last fight but still the sec- “Pulev said, ‘You’re noth-
kept the peace during their ond-lightest he’s fought at ing. I’m better than you,’”
weigh-in for Saturday’s in six years. Hearn said. “AJ said, ‘Who
bout. Pulev appears to be the have you beaten?’ Pulev
During the exchange, Pu- only hurdle Joshua needs said, ‘I’ll end you.’” In this file photo dated Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, Bulgarian boxer
lev twice readjusted his to clear before a shot at Joshua later told Sky Sports: Kubrat Pulev, avoids a punch from Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine,
mask after it slipped be- being the undisputed world “I would have clapped him during their IBF heavy-weight world championships title bout in
low his nose, and Joshua’s heavyweight champion. on his jaw ... but I have to Hamburg, Germany.
mask also drooped low at First, Joshua must take wait ‘til tomorrow.”q Associated Press