Arizona Cardinals – After Kurt Warner lost Super Bowl XXXVI with the Rams in 2002 to the Patriots, he wouldn’t win another game as Rams starting QB (0-7). He did, however, end his career in Super Bowl XLIII with the Cardinals, in a loss to Steelers.
Atlanta Falcons – Last team to lose to Patriots in Super Bowl (51) and official host of Super Bowl 53.
Baltimore Ravens – Ravens backup QB Robert Griffin was the #2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, courtesy of a blockbuster trade with the Rams. The only guy still there from that trade is DL Michael Brockers. Others acquired were Janoris Jenkins, Isaiah Pead, Alex Ogletree, and Greg Robinson.
Buffalo Bills – Patriots Pro Bowl Cornerback Stephen Gilmore was a first round pick to the Bills in 2012 (10th overall); Robert Woods signed with Rams in 2017 after 4 years with Bills – in 4 years he caught 203 passes, 2,451 yards, and 12 TDs, and in just 2 years with LA, had 142 catches, 2000 yards, and 11 TDs.
Carolina Panthers – Rams RB CJ Anderson started the year with the Panthers, playing 9 games. He had just 24 carries, for 203 yards and did not score. He signed with the Rams in December and started 2 games (with Todd Gurley out injured), carrying the ball 43 times, for 299 yards, and 2 TDs. Additionally, he ran for 2 TDs and 167 yards in 2 playoff games.
Chicago Bears – Bears acquired WR Anthony Miller via a draft trade with Patriots that landed them the 51st overall pick.
Cincinnati Bengals – Rams QB coach Zac Taylor is going to be named Bengals head coach after the Super Bowl. Additionally, Rams LT Andrew Whitworth spent the first 11 years of his career in Cincinnati, before joining the Rams in 2017 and winning his first career playoff game this season
Cleveland Browns – Traded WR Josh Gordon to the Patriots in September (Gordon is currently inactive due to a suspension). Gordon started 11 games, catching 3 TDs before his suspension
Dallas Cowboys – Cowboys acquired long time Rams WR Tavon Austin during the draft. Austin had 21 total receiving/rushing TDs in his 5 years with the Rams. He had 2 total with the Cowboys.
Denver Broncos – Won the last non-Patriots participating Super Bowl. Their Defensive Coordinator in Super Bowl 50 was current Rams DC Wade Phillips and their top CB was current Ram Aqib Talib.
Detroit Lions – Lions are coached by Matt Patricia, who was previously Patriots Defensive Coordinator, from 2012-2017, helping them win 3 Super Bowls.
Green Bay Packers – After firing Mike McCarthy, Packers hired Matt LaFleur as their new head coach. LaFleur was the Rams OC in 2017, coaching under Sean McVay.
Houston Texans – From 2007-2011, Bill O’Brien was a Patriots assistant coach, specifically OC in 2011. Current Patriots backup QB Brian Hoyer lost his only ever playoff start with the Texans in 2015
Indianapolis Colts – Pats Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels snubbed them after last year’s Super Bowl loss and Colts “settled” for potential Coach of the Year, Frank Reich.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Jaguars traded Dante Fowler to the Rams earlier this season. In 6 starts for the Rams he had 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 21 total tackles.
Kansas City Chiefs – Traded CB Marcus Peters to Rams after last season for a 4th round pick and draft safety Armani Watts, who spent most of the year on injured reserved.
Los Angeles Chargers – Lost to Rams 35-23 in week 3 and lost 41-28 in the Divisional round of the playoffs to the Patriots
Miami Dolphins – Patriots LB coach Brian Flores is going to be named head coach of the Dolphins after this game
Minnesota Vikings – Cordarelle Patterson was a first round pick (29th overall) for the Vikings in the 2013 NFL draft. Patterson caught 3 TD passes in 2018 and ran for another.
New Orleans Saints – Drafted Brandin Cooks 20th overall in the 2013 NFL draft. Traded him to Patriots for a first round pick in 2017. Saints used that first round pick on an OT. In 2018, Patriots traded Cooks to Rams for a first round pick. Patriots used first round pick on an OT.
New York Giants – Defeated the Patriots in Super Bowls XLII (2007) and XLVI (2011)
New York Jets – Last off-season, Jets signed CB Trumaine Johnson, who spent the first 6 years of his career with the Rams. He was suitably replaced by Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters.
Oakland Raiders – The Raiders traded their 2010 second round pick (which they initially acquired from Bucs) to the Patriots, who selected TE Rob Gronkowski 44th overall.
Philadelphia Eagles – Handed the Patriots their last playoff loss in last year’s Super Bowl. Last year’s Super Bowl hero Nick Foles went 4-7 as Rams starting QB in 2016.
Pittsburgh Steelers – RB Stevan Ridley appeared in 10 games for the Steelers this year, backing up James Connor. Ridley was a Patriots third round pick in 2011 and was part of their Super Bowl XLIX winning team over the Seahawks.
San Francisco 49ers – Traded LT Trent Brown to Patriots on draft night – Brown would start all 18 games at LT this year for the Patriots
Seattle Seahawks – Lost Super Bowl XLIX to Patriots
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bucs traded 2012 7th overall pick Mark Barron to the Rams in the middle of the 2014 season. Barron started 12 games in 2018, recording 60 total tackles.
Tennessee Titans – Traded out of the #1 overall pick to the Rams, allowing them, to select Jared Goff; In the franchise’s only Super Bowl appearance, they lost to the Rams in 1999 (the Rams only win); Current Head coach Mike Vrabel became the first defensive player to catch a touchdown on offense in Super Bowl XXXVIII for the Patriots
Washington Redskins – Rams coach Sean McVay was an assistant coach with the Redskins from 2010-2016, specifically as Offensive Coordinator from 2014-2016, before being hired by the Rams.
Michael Schneid is a Contributor for the Unwrapped Sports Network website. Follow him @msschneid on Twitter.