THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams defense isnt often embarrassed, and it is rarely humbled.Its veterans have been one of the NFLs best units for the past few years, and theyve been among the best again this season. Even after the past 64:02, theyre still ranked ninth in the league in total defense.And thats remarkable, considering everything thats gone wrong over the past 64:02.The Rams (4-7) flew to New England on Friday after a week of rededication and recovery from their most humiliating defensive performance in years. Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints dropped 49 points and 555 yards last weekend in Los Angeles sixth loss in seven games.Its going to tell a lot about us this week, said cornerback Trumaine Johnson, the Rams highest-paid player. After that game last week, hopefully we go out there and compete. Man, I really dont like going back and talking about it. But everything wasnt working, as a whole defense.Combined with the Miami Dolphins two long touchdown drives in the final minutes to win a game otherwise dominated by Los Angeles defense two weeks ago, the Rams have given up nine touchdowns and 707 yards on their opponents last 15 drives.Johnson realizes thats an inauspicious way to go into another long road trip and a cold-weather game against Tom Brady. The Rams cant change much about their personnel or schemes in such a short time, but Los Angeles is hoping the embarrassment will spark a return to form.Sometimes you get a wake-up call, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said. Weve been pretty dominant for four or five weeks, and all of a sudden, that wakes you up. I havent had any problem holding their attention in the meetings this week.The numbers are grim: New Orleans 555 yards were the third-most allowed in the 80-year-old franchises history. It was easily the Rams worst defensive game under Williams, the third-year coordinator, or head coach Jeff Fisher, who needs a huge finish to avoid his fifth straight losing season. The Saints 49 points were the most allowed by the Rams since 2002, and one fewer than Los Angeles had given up in its previous four games combined.The reasons for the problems are varied. Middle linebacker Alec Ogletree acknowledges his defense wasnt lined up properly on several key plays, while Williams alluded to young players making positional mistakes that cost the Rams dearly.But if the Rams mental toughness was dented by the failures, they havent indicated it during the week of practices for the Patriots.We definitely were mad about it, and disappointed, defensive lineman Aaron Donald said. But we know what weve got to do. Weve got to eliminate the mistakes, and weve got to play better. Thats not the way we play. We know that.Johnson and the Rams secondary realize theyve got the most work to do. Including Miamis final two drives, the Rams have yielded nearly 20 percent of all the yards passing theyve allowed in the entire season over the past 4 1/2 quarters.Even without Rob Gronkowski as a target, the Rams understand the challenge they face in their first meeting with the Patriots since Fishers first season in charge in 2012. Brady passed for 304 yards and four touchdowns that year while New England shredded St. Louis 45-7 in London.Weve got Tom Brady this week, Johnson said. We couldnt feel sorry for ourselves. Its another great quarterback were facing. We expect it to be a challenge.Game notesThe defense might not have DE Robert Quinn, who is in the NFLs concussion protocol. He missed practice all week, but is listed as questionable for Sunday. .... Tavon Austin, the Rams receiver and kick returner, is doubtful after missing the weeks practices with a chest injury. ... C Tim Barnes (foot), OT Andrew Donnal (hip) and OG Rodger Saffold (hand) practiced on a limited basis Friday.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLStitched Tigers Jerseys . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Custom Detroit Tigers Jerseys . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. https://www.cheaptigers.com/ . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. Fake Tigers Jerseys . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Detroit Tigers Shirts . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges.HAMPTON, Va. -- Jaylian Williamson threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns, including a 57-yarder to Twarn Mixson in the fourth quarter of Hamptons 28-26 win over South Carolina State on Saturday.Williamson completed 16 of 27 passes and connected with Rashawn Proctor on a 4-yard TD pass in the third quarter and found Mixson with 7:04 remaining for a 28-20 lead.But South Carolina State recovered a fumble on a punt return with 3:36 remaining and went on a six-play, 29-yard drive to get within 28-26 on Dondre Browns 1-yard TD run. But the Bulldogs 2-point conversion was no good as quarterback Adrian Kollock Jr.dddddddddddd was tackled at the 2.Williamson hit Jack Willenbrock on a 12-yard TD pass in the first quarter, but the Pirates (4-4, 4-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic) trailed 20-14 at halftime.Caleb York threw a 23-yard TD pass to Kanome Mcintosh and a 13-yarder to Bishop York, but S.C. State (3-4, 3-1) was hurt by a missed point-after attempt in the second quarter and a missed a 26-yard field goal try in the third. ' ' '