BY JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- The Patriots are in deep trouble here in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

Which is to say, not only that they find themselves trailing the Rams by three points, but also that they're obviously in deep trouble whenever opponents throw the ball deep.

Having already burned the New England secondary for a 69-yard TD pass in the first minute of the second quarter, and a 27-yard completion on their next possession, the Rams continued to have success throwing long late in the third quarter, when QB Marc Bulger again went to Avery, this time for 44 yards to the Pats' 20.

That bomb set up a 25-yard field goal by Josh Brown that put St. Louis on top, 16-13, with 12:25 left to play.