Dec 12, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) walks towards the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Rams are 8-6 and are very much alive for both the NFC West division title and a wild card berth. The New York Jets are playing out the string having been eliminated from the playoffs after their loss to the Miami Dolphins in week 15. The Rams have had extra time to rest and prepare for this contest. Los Angeles last played on Thursday, December 12th, on the road in San Francisco. The Rams won a rock fight on the road that night crippling the 49ers playoff hopes and staying on the heels of the Seattle Seahawks for the division lead. The New York Jets beat the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, winning for the first time in five weeks. The Jets are 4-10 and have lost nine of their last eleven games.
Ram’s quarterback Matthew Stafford is sixth overall in passing yards with 3,463. Stafford spreads his throws around as the Rams do not have a receiver in the top twenty in receiving yards despite their quarterback hovering near the top of the league in yards. The Rams struggle to run the ball effectively. Los Angeles is in the bottom ten in the league in rushing yards.
The Jets also have issues running the rock. Only the Las Vegas Raiders run for fewer yards per game than the Jets. The ineffective ground game has put added pressure on the Jet’s passing game and their offensive line, which has struggled to give quarterback Aaron Rodgers time to throw. The Jets are scoring just 20.2 points per game, which is 22nd in the league.
Los Angeles comes into the game having won three straight games. The Rams are 3-0 as road favorites this season. The Jets are 2-1 against the spread with a rest disadvantage, but just 2-7 against the line in non-conference games. The Jets are 0-1 as home underdogs. These two teams have not played since 2020 when the Jets won in Los Angeles 23-20. The Rams are 10-5 against the Jets all time.
This is really a game of two teams headed in different directions. The Rams started the season 1-4 playing a brutal early season schedule. Los Angeles is 7-2 since then. and they have won four of their last five games. The Jets were in a free fall before Sunday’s win. The team has a four-game and a five-game losing streak. having lost five straight and ten of their last eleven games. The Rams should continue their current trend and win this matchup to stay in the NFC playoff race. The only question is whether or not the Rams will cover the spread.
What to Watch
The Jets are not healthy in the secondary. This is a bad week for that with the Rams passing game coming to town. The Jets will struggle against Ram’s receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. The Rams should find rushing the ball a bit easier as the Jets defense has been terrible against the rush. The Jets offense should have success as well as the Rams are in the bottom ten of the league on defense. The Rams allow just over 24 points per contest. If the weather is not a factor, this one should exceed the total. Before you get involved financially, check out this write up of the best sportsbook apps AskGamblers.
Final Thoughts
The Rams have more motivation and more weapons. Neither team will struggle to move the ball, but Los Angeles is much better equipped for a track meet than the New York. Over the last four Jet games, New York and their opponents have combined to score an average of 59 points. This game should continue the high-scoring trend if the weather cooperates.
Los Angeles Rams 38 – New York 28