When the NFL schedule was launched in Might, many anticipated the matchup between the Rams and Jets would have playoff significance for each groups.
Whereas Los Angeles leads the NFC West with three video games to go, Gang Inexperienced is taking part in for pleasure and hopes to spoil Sunday’s chilly sport at MetLife Stadium.
The Rams (8-6) will journey to less-than-ideal circumstances this week. Temperatures are anticipated to be within the 20s, and wind gusts can be round 27 miles per hour.
“Maybe we can get a cold machine out here, go get some cold plunge or something like that,” Rams coach Sean McVay stated. “It’s a little bit different where you can do some wet ball drills and just work the ball handling and different things like that.
“I think when the guys get out there, obviously, the ball handling is a little bit different just based on the temperature, but they do a great job of being able to stay warm in between series, and then when you’re out there, usually it takes care of itself. They have to play in it too and we’ll handle it the best we can.”
All eyes can be squarely on Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford as the 2 will meet for the 18th time. Rodgers’ groups are 13-4 in opposition to Stafford.
This would be the first time the 2 gamers have met since Week 12 of the 2021 season, when the Packers defeated the Rams, 36-28, at Lambeau Subject.
“I’m just excited to go up there and play,” Stafford stated earlier this week concerning the matchup. “Obviously, meaningful football in the month of December is an awesome thing to be a part of.
“We’ve earned that and we’ve got to continue to earn that opportunity to play games that matter. This just happens to be the next one on the list. I have a ton of respect for Aaron and have competed against him a bunch of times in my career.
“He’s a hell of a player and does a great job. He’s still doing a really good job for them. He played fantastic in the last couple of weeks. He looks to be healthy, moving around and doing his thing.”
The Rams have gotten scorching on the proper time after profitable their final three video games. Stafford has handed for 663 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions throughout that span. In 14 video games, he has 3,463 yards with 19 touchdowns in opposition to seven interceptions.
In the meantime, Rodgers and the Jets’ offense (4-10) have been inconsistent this season. They rank twenty fifth in yards and twenty second in factors per sport (20.2), which is a giant motive the Jets fell right into a funk and misplaced 4 consecutive video games.
However the Jets ended that shedding streak after their win in opposition to Jacksonville in Week 15.
Regardless of their offensive rankings, the Jets offense has performed higher just lately. Of their final two video games in opposition to the Dolphins and Jaguars, the Jets averaged 29 factors per sport.
Rodgers has additionally performed nicely just lately, throwing for 628 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. This comes after Rodgers struggled with knee, ankle, and hamstring accidents this season.
“Matt’s one of my all-time favorite competitors to go against,” Rodgers stated throughout his weekly look on The Pat McAfee Present. “Just a lot of fun battles over the years, a lot of respect for him, plays the game in a way I totally respect. He’s as tough as they come. He’s savvy, he’s smart, he’s gritty, he’s competitive. I’ve always been a big Matt Stafford fan, so excited to see him.”
Gang Inexperienced’s protection, which has taken a step again since proprietor Woody Johnson fired coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8, can have its fingers full in opposition to a Rams offense ranked thirteenth in yards (337.9) and seventeenth in factors per sport (22.1). The Jets have allowed 21.1 factors per sport of their final 9 video games, and the workforce is 2-7 throughout that point.
Los Angeles has two Professional Bowl receivers: veteran Cooper Kupp and second-year star Puka Nacua. The duo has mixed for 124 receptions, 1,462 yards, and 9 touchdowns.
Kupp and Nacua, together with Stafford, have been a few of the keys to the Rams offense. The Rams will obtain a lift this week after activating tight finish Tyler Higbee, who will make his 2024 debut in opposition to the Jets. Higbee was on the bodily unable to carry out checklist after tearing his again ACL and MCL final postseason.
The Jets can be with out cornerback Michael Carter II, who has been coping with a again damage for the majority of the season. Defensive deal with Quinnen Williams (hamstring) can be a game-time resolution after not working towards this week.
“Very productive offense and it starts with the quarterback and you guys see it between the quarterback and the head coach that relationship is awesome,” Jets Defensive Backs/Safeties Coach Marquand Manuel stated concerning the Rams.
“When I say that, it’s one of those relationships that you see in between Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, it’s special guys like Andy Reid got it with (Patrick) Mahomes, you see that relationship and you understand that it’s very cohesive, so now you add in Kupp you add in Nacua, so the combination of all of it.
“We got our hands full this week.”
