Los Angeles Rams Face Off Against New York Jets

The Los Angeles Rams (8-6) are set to take on the New York Jets (4-10) this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, with the game broadcast on CBS. BetMGM has placed the Rams as favorites by 3.5 points. The Rams have a record against the spread of 7-7, while the Jets stand at 5-9. Historically, the Rams have a series lead of 10-5, but the Jets managed to secure a 23-20 victory in their last encounter on December 20, 2020, in Inglewood, California.

In their previous games, the Rams triumphed over the 49ers, edging them 12-6, whereas the Jets earned a victory against the Jaguars with a score of 32-25. Analyzing the teams’ statistics, the Rams rank 13th overall on offense, 22nd in rushing, 9th in passing, and tie for 17th in scoring. On defense, they’re lower-ranked at 25th overall, 28th against the run, 19th against the pass, and tie for 23rd in scoring. In contrast, the Jets’ offense sits at 24th overall, 31st in rushing yards, 18th in passing, and 22nd in scoring, while their defense is much stronger, ranking 7th overall, 16th against the run, 5th against the pass, and 18th in points allowed.

One of the key players for the Rams to watch is tight end Tyler Higbee, who is returning to the field after a knee injury sidelined him during the NFC wild-card stance against Detroit. At 31 years old, Higbee has consistently contributed to the Rams’ offensive play with an average of 59 catches, 586 yards, and four touchdowns across the last five seasons. His return is expected to enhance the WR duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, making the Rams’ passing game more dynamic.

For the Jets, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a player to keep an eye on. At 41 years old, Rodgers has shown notable improvement in the last two weeks, completing 43 of 69 passes for 628 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s also rekindled his valuable connection with Davante Adams, who had an impressive nine receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns in the previous game.

A noteworthy matchup this weekend will be between the Rams’ WRs Kupp and Nacua and the Jets’ cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed. Matthew Stafford’s go-to targets, Kupp and Nacua, have had a commendable season, but Kupp was held to zero catches last week against San Francisco. The Jets’ secondary is expected to receive a boost with Reed’s potential return from a groin injury, joining Gardner, who accomplished his first interception in two years on the previous Sunday after recovering from a hamstring issue.

In terms of injuries, the Rams have their top cornerback Cobie Durant back in practice, and he is expected to play this week after missing the last game due to a chest injury. However, the Jets’ defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is a game-time decision due to a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice. Additionally, CB Michael Carter II has been ruled out with a back issue, and S Jalen Mills has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a collarbone fracture during last week’s game.

Looking at previous matchups, the Jets have won three of the last four games against the Rams. Notably, New York achieved its first win of the 2020 season after starting 0-13 by defeating the Rams 23-20. The Rams had dominated prior to that with a seven-game winning streak against the Jets since a forgettable 47-3 defeat in 2008.

The Rams are riding a wave of momentum, winning three consecutive games and four out of their last five, positioning themselves to maintain their lead in the NFC West. They are currently tied with Seattle, who will face Minnesota on Sunday. A notable highlight is that Stafford hasn’t committed a turnover in his last five games, marking his longest streak without turnovers in 16 years. Running back Kyren Williams has also been a standout, with significant workloads in two consecutive games. Meanwhile, the Jets pulled off a win against Jacksonville, hoping to string together consecutive victories for only the second time this season.

In terms of fantasy relevance, Kupp remains a crucial starter despite his previous shutout, given his potential in red-zone plays. As for individual player stats, regardless of the season’s ups and downs, Kupp’s ability to score could be pivotal for many fantasy teams still in contention.

As both teams gear up for this exciting matchup, much is at stake. The Rams will aim to consolidate their playoff position, while the Jets look to build on their recent success. Fans can expect a thrilling game marked by key player performances and strategic playmaking.