Los Angeles Rams (8-6) are set to clash with the New York Jets (4-10) this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, airing on CBS. According to BetMGM’s NFL odds, the Rams are favored by 3.5 points. In terms of performance against the spread, the Rams hold a record of 7-7 while the Jets are at 5-9. Historically, the Rams have an edge in the series, leading with a 10-5 record. The last encounter ended with the Jets emerging victorious 23-20 on December 20, 2020, in Inglewood, California.
In the previous week, the Rams triumphed over the 49ers with a score of 12-6, while the Jets secured a 32-25 win against the Jaguars. Analyzing the teams’ statistics, the Rams’ offense ranks 13th overall, 22nd in rushing, 9th in passing, and 17th in scoring. Meanwhile, their defense sits at 25th overall, 28th against the run, 19th against the pass, and 23rd in scoring. The Jets’ offensive statistics reflect a 24th overall performance, 31st in rushing, 18th in passing, and 22nd in scoring. Conversely, their defense is strong, ranking 7th overall, 16th against the run, 5th against the pass, and 18th in scoring.
This week’s player to watch for the Rams is tight end Tyler Higbee, who will be making his season debut following a knee injury sustained during the playoff loss to Detroit. At 31, Higbee has been a vital contributor to the Rams’ offense, particularly in the run game, averaging 59 receptions, 586 yards, and four touchdowns over the last five years. His return could enhance the performance of wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, making them even more formidable against opposing defenses.
For the Jets, all eyes are on quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he displays notable performance in the final weeks of the season. The 41-year-old has been inspiring confidence with his recent play—completing 43 of 69 attempts for 628 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions across his last two games. His rapport with Davante Adams has been reignited, with Adams catching nine passes for 198 yards and two scores last week.
A key matchup to focus on will be between the Rams’ wide receivers Kupp and Nacua and the Jets’ cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed. Kupp and Nacua are enjoying an impressive season, regarded as one of the top receiving duos in the league. However, Kupp struggled recently, recording no receptions against the 49ers last week. The Jets expect Reed to return from a groin injury just in time for this match-up, which could bolster their secondary alongside Gardner, who recently notched his first interception in two years.
Injury updates show that Rams’ cornerback Cobie Durant could make his return, having practiced on a limited basis after suffering a chest injury. For the Jets, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is struggling with a hamstring issue and missed practice at the start of the week, while safety Jalen Mills has been placed on injured reserve due to a collarbone injury he sustained while intercepting a pass last Sunday.
Historically, the Jets have performed well in recent encounters, winning three out of the last four duels. Their last victory over the Rams came in the 2020 season when the Jets ended an 0-13 run with their win against the Rams. The Rams had previously dominated the series, winning seven straight matches before the Jets earned that recent victory.
In terms of additional stats, the Rams have secured three consecutive wins and four out of their last five games and hope to solidify their position atop the NFC West, anticipating the Seahawks’ matchup against Minnesota this weekend. Matthew Stafford has been efficient, not turning over the ball for five games, his longest streak in 16 seasons as a professional quarterback. The Rams have also shown resilience, performing well even when passing for fewer than 200 yards in games they’ve managed to win this season.
On the Jets’ front, they are keen on establishing momentum after breaking a four-game losing streak against Jacksonville and hope to secure back-to-back victories for only the second time this season. Rodgers has surpassed 3,225 passing yards this year, marking the 14th occasion in his career of achieving the 3,000-yard milestone. Notably, Adams reached a career milestone with 101 touchdown receptions, landing him among the elite players to achieve over 100 receiving touchdowns.
Fantasy football enthusiasts should consider starting Kupp despite his recent dip in performance, as he remains a vital asset, particularly in red-zone situations against a resilient Jets secondary.