10 takeaways from Rams 19-9 win over Jets in Week 16

The Los Angeles Rams won their fourth consecutive game on Sunday as they defeated the New York Jets, 19-9. Nothing has come easily for this Rams team in 2024, and Sunday was no different. The Rams needed a fourth quarter comeback and big plays from the defense to earn their ninth win of the season. Here are my 10 takeaways from the win against the Jets.

1. Rams forced to overcome another slow start

The Rams have scored three first quarter touchdowns this season. For comparison, they had seven first quarter touchdowns back in 2022 through 16 weeks. It’s great that the Rams have shown that they can overcome the slow starts. At the same time, there will come a point when starting from a deficit could come back to bite them. It’s not a recipe for success. They currently rank 31st in first quarter points per game with 1.8.

It wasn’t just the slow start from the offense, but the defense gave up a 99-yard touchdown drive to start the game as well. The Rams need to find ways to take control of games earlier. While it’s unrealistic to expect them to play like they did against the Buffalo Bills three weeks ago, they need to be able to find a way to play from ahead.

2. Gameplan on offense felt very vanilla

Despite the Jets being down Quinnen Williams and suffering injuries during the game, the gameplan on offense felt very vanilla. The colder weather could certainly be a reason for that, but Matthew Stafford targeted receivers behind the line of scrimmage on 10 of his 19 pass attempts. Stafford had an average depth of target of just 3.6 yards down the field. The Rams simply were not pushing the ball.

The Rams’ offense relied heavily on running the ball and wide receiver screens. Whether this approach was intentional or weather-driven, it was a different McVay offense than we’ve grown accustomed to seeing.

3. Bend but don’t break defense nearly costs Rams a win

The lack of aggressiveness was also a theme on the defensive side of the ball. The Rams defense looked much more like the one that was trying to find its identity from early in the season. Chris Shula blitzed Aaron Rodgers twice. That was despite the fact that Rodgers ranked 32nd out of 34 quarterbacks in EPA per dropback against the blitz.

They gave up a 99-yard touchdown drive on the opening possession, and allowed the Jets to control the clock. There was a point where the Rams offense hadn’t touched the ball in over a quarter of gameplay. Four of the first five possessions from the Jets went more than 10 plays and took up 24:29 of actual game time. While the Jets only scored nine points in those four possessions, the draining of the clock shortened the game and made possessions a premium. The Rams defense didn’t break and that is a positive. Still, the defense needs to remain aggressive down the stretch like they have been in recent weeks.

4. Omar Speights has given Rams what they need at linebacker

Early on in the season, the Rams had problems at the linebacker position. Ever since Omar Speights took over for Troy Reeder, the level of linebacker play has improved and the undrafted free agent has made several key plays. Speights is yet another diamond in the rough that the Rams and general manager Les Snead have managed to find.

Against the Jets, Speights shot through the gap on fourth down and stopped running back Breece Hall in the backfield short of the first down. The offense managed to take advantage and score a touchdown. Later in the first half, the Jets were driving and looking to score a touchdown. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers found Davante Adams in the end zone. However, Speights got his arm between Adams and the ball and broke up the pass, saving a touchdown. Those are two key plays that made a difference in this game.

5. Kyren Williams takes over third straight game

Much like the back-half of last season, running back Kyren Williams is taking over games and has become a focal point of the Rams offense. Williams had 29 carries in back-to-back weeks before Sunday. What was more impressive was that Williams had more carries than Stafford had passing attempts last week. That was the case again on Sunday, but Williams had more carries and yards than Stafford had passing the ball.

Against the Jets, Stafford was 14-for-19 for 110 yards and averaged 5.79 yards per attempt. Williams ran the ball 23 times for 122 yards and averaged 5.3 yards per carry. The offense now runs primarily through Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams. It was the fewest passing yards in a win for Stafford in his career. The Rams are playing a physical brand of football when that type of football wins games in December.

6. Defense made plays when needed

While the Rams defense wasn’t perfect, that unit made plays when it needed to on Sunday. They had the fourth down stop that led to the first touchdown. Speights had the pass breakup in the end zone at the end of the half to keep the game within three points. Ahkello Witherspoon had a pass breakup along the sideline covering Adams to force another turnover on downs. Late in the game, it was Kam Curl on a blitz that knocked the ball loose for a fumble that was recovered by Jared Verse.

This has been the theme for the Rams defense this season. While not always perfect, they often come through with crucial plays when it matters most. At times when the offense has struggled, it’s been the defense to keep the Rams in games. For the first time since 2015, the defense allowed fewer than 10 points in back-to-back games. This is a group that continues to improve as the year progresses.

7. Jordan Whittington is a special teams ace

When the Rams last beat the Jets at MetLife stadium, special teams played a big role. In that game, Johnny Hekker flipped the field position with a huge punt to set up the game-winning field goal. Fast forward to 2024 and special teams played a big role in the Rams win at MetLife. A big reason for that was Jordan Whittington.

Whittington has embraced his role on special teams and been an ace on that unit. Against the Jets, Whittington made a play on the ball to down the punt at the one-yard line. Later in the game, it was Whittington who pounced on a muffed punt that won the game. While Whittington played well, Joshua Karty made two field goals in tough conditions. Karty missed an extra point, but had makes from 38 and 45 yards. Meanwhile, the Jets kicker missed an extra point as well as his lone field goal attempt.

8. How can you not be happy for Tyler Higbee?

Almost a full year ago, Tyler Higbee tore his ACL in the wild card round of the playoffs. The Rams tight end has been out ever since, working to get back on the field. Sunday’s game against the Jets was Higbee’s first game back. In the fourth quarter with the game tied, 9-9, it was Higbee who scored the touchdown to put the Rams in the lead. It was obvious how badly Higbee wanted it when he got the opportunity. He dove from the five yard line to score his first touchdown in over a year.

There were likely moments where Higbee didn’t think returning to the field, let alone scoring a touchdown was possible. It’s the kind of story you couldn’t script any better. It’s hard not to get emotional and feel happy for Higbee in that moment. He may not be the player that he was before the injury, but it’s clear that he means a lot to the Rams offense.

9. Rams continue to show they can win ugly

Out of the nine wins for the Rams this season, it’s hard to find a straight forward win. Outside of the Bills game, the offense hasn’t put together a full game, and yet, this is a team that just keeps winning. Stafford completed another fourth quarter comeback this season which ties him for the fourth-most all-time with Matt Ryan. It was the fourth time in 2024 that Stafford has come from behind in the fourth quarter. For reference, Stafford had three fourth quarter comebacks during the 2021 season.

With the win at MetLife, the Rams also won their fifth consecutive road game. It’s the first time that they’ve done that since 2001 when they went to the Super Bowl. This Rams team is hard to define—they win in unconventional ways, and nothing comes easy. Whether it ends on Super Bowl Sunday or in the playoffs, it’s been an enjoyable ride.

10. McVay clinches another winning season against the odds

The win on Sunday puts the Rams at 9-6 and clinches a seventh winning season in eight years for McVay. The Rams started the year 1-4 and not many would have expected them to be one win away from the NFC West crown and in control of the third seed in the NFC with two weeks to play. This is a Rams team that rebounded from 3-6 last year and yet this year feels even more impressive.

While the Rams are in control, the season is far from over. The Rams close the season with back-to-back division games, needing at least one win to secure the NFC West title. At this point, nothing is guaranteed. The Rams still need to finish the job and that starts with a short week against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17.

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