EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — After a prolonged wait due to injury, Tyler Higbee finally made his impactful return to the field for the Los Angeles Rams. Early in the fourth quarter, with the game tied against the New York Jets, Higbee secured a short pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford. He then powered his way down the sideline, leaping over the goal line to score an 11-yard touchdown, ultimately leading the Rams to a 19-9 victory.
Higbee expressed his surprise at having to jump for the touchdown, noting the effort involved while dodging defenders. “I didn’t know I was going to have to jump,” he shared. His season debut followed a significant recovery period after surgeries for a torn ACL and MCL sustained last January during the playoffs. “In the air, it felt a little bit like ‘Space Jam’ Michael Jordan,” he added, still feeling the thrill of the moment.
The win marked the Rams’ fourth consecutive victory, solidifying their position at the top of the NFC West standings after a slow start against a determined Jets team, with the temperature dipping to a frigid 23 degrees at the start of the game. Rams head coach Sean McVay characterized the contest as “a strange game” due to several lengthy possessions by both teams.
Defensive moments turned the tide in favor of Los Angeles, despite their earlier struggles against Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and New York’s offense. After Joshua Karty successfully kicked a 38-yard field goal to tie the game at 9, Rams linebacker Kam Curl executed a critical blitz, sacking Rodgers and forcing a fumble which Jared Verse recovered at the Jets’ 21-yard line. “As I was falling, it landed right on top of me,” Verse remarked, emphasizing the fortune of being in the right position at the pivotal moment.
Just three plays later, Higbee caught his go-ahead touchdown, with Stafford praising his teammate’s effort on the play. Higbee was joyfully celebrated by his teammates following the score, admitting he felt lightheaded from the exuberance of the moment.
Even after the strip-sack incident, Rodgers showed resilience, briefly leaving the field before returning to action, noting the need for better decisions in future plays. Karty further extended the Rams’ lead with a 45-yard field goal, pushing the score to 19-9, which the Jets could not overcome. A late opportunity for New York to rally fell short when placekicker Anders Carlson failed to convert a 48-yard attempt. The game concluded as Jordan Whittington recovered a muffed punt return, sealing the victory for Los Angeles.
Stafford ended the game completing 14 of 19 passes for 110 yards, while running back Kyren Williams had a productive outing, rushing for 122 yards and a touchdown. In contrast, Rodgers recorded 256 passing yards and a touchdown to Davante Adams, but the previously vibrant Jets’ rhythm had disappeared as the game progressed, finishing only two of five on fourth downs.
New York’s offense initially thrived, scoring on a swift 99-yard drive that featured an impressive touchdown connection between Rodgers and Adams late in the first quarter. However, the momentum shifted after the Rams took advantage of a turnover on downs to score their first touchdown and tie the game just before halftime.
Injury news for the Jets included the absence of defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, who couldn’t play due to a hamstring issue, and Sauce Gardner, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury during the second half. Additional injuries were reported, including Tony Adams and rookie Olu Fashanu.
Moving forward, the Rams are set to host the Arizona Cardinals in their next game, while the Jets will travel to Buffalo to face the Bills.