St. Louis ? A bonus for Trev Faulk’s first career start: He might get a chance to tackle his cousin for the first time.

The St. Louis Rams’ middle linebacker grew up emulating Kevin Faulk, the New England Patriots’ running back who is five years older. Both went to the same school, LSU.

“He was always kind of the guy whose footsteps I was following, and the guy who I was always coming after,” Trev Faulk said.

The two collaborated on a football camp this summer. They were reunited again in grief when Kevin Faulk’s mother, Trev Faulk’s aunt, died in September.

There are another few get-togethers planned for this weekend for the Faulks, neither of whom is related to Rams standout Marshall Faulk. One of the cousins’ gatherings will be social, the other competitive.

“We might have dinner Saturday night, a big family event or something like that,” Trev Faulk said. “I’ll definitely be talking to him.”

The backdrop of this reunion is the first meeting between the teams since the 2002 Super Bowl when the Patriots defeated the heavily favored Rams, 20-17.

“We both have a bunch of family coming down for the game,” Trev Faulk said. “They were planning to come to this game before, and now it’ll be even more special. It’s definitely going to be exciting.”

So, for him, would be some collisions with his cousin on the field.

“I’ve got to make the play; I just have to make the play,” Trev Faulk said.