 The Patriots faced the Rams in Foxborough for the first time since the 2001 regular season, and for only the second time overall since the teams' matchup in Super Bowl XXXVI.On the opening possession, a 35-yard reception by Rams wide receiver Donnie Avery from quarterback Marc Bulger put the Rams in the Patriots' red zone, but the Rams eventually settled for a 20-yard Josh Brown field goal to take a 3–0 lead.The Patriots followed the Rams' 12-play drive with a 13-play drive of their own, ending in a 2-yard Green-Ellis touchdown run that put the Patriots ahead 7–3.