The 0-13 New York Jets take on the 9-4 Los Angeles Rams out west in a David vs. Goliath-type contest at SoFi Stadium.
The 0-13 New York Jets have three more cracks at it this season, and it starts with the 9-4 Rams this Sunday in Los Angeles.
After not playing a single game in Los Angeles since 1993, this one will mark the team’s second such game this season. They previously fell in defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Where, When, All-Time
- New York Jets (0-13)
- Los Angeles Rams (9-4)
- NFL, Week 15, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
- SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
There isn’t much to break down heading into this one. New York is coming off one of its worst losses of the season, a 40-3 shellacking at the hands of Russell Wilson‘s Seattle Seahawks. Now, it’s the Rams’ turn.
Seattle’s get-well game went swimmingly. The Rams hope the same happens in Week 15, as the two NFC West powerhouses look to keep pace with the other.
Back to Cali.#NYJvsLAR | #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/7mS2qif4px
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 19, 2020
The Rams lead the all-time series by a decisive margin, 10-4. Los Angeles won the last meeting, a 9-6 defensive struggle at MetLife Stadium in 2016.
Perhaps the most memorable matchup in the series history features Mark Gastineau. After a sack, Gastineau put forth his incredibly ugly sack dance. Jackie Slater and company didn’t appreciate it too much and the teams went for a brawl.
The Jets will wear their green tops and white pants, as the Rams will wear white.
Week 15 fit.@J_FranklinMyers | #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/1ESIjmYrgp
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 18, 2020
Odds (Sportsbook)
- Money line: Rams -2000 | Jets +1000
- Spread: Rams -17 (-110) | Jets +17 (-110)
- Over/Under: 43.5 (O: -110, U: -110)
A 17-point spread feels appropriate. Considering the game is in Los Angeles, take the Rams. Sam Darnold‘s Week 14 performance can’t inspire any confidence whatsoever.
Injury Report
Alert the presses. Only one man is on the Jets’ official injury report this week. Jamison Crowder will enter the game questionable with a bum calf. That’s it.
Sam Darnold, Pat Elflein, John Franklin-Myers, Frank Gore, Marcus Maye, Connor McGovern and Breshad Perriman all practiced fully Friday. Rookie Denzel Mims will return to the lineup after missing the Seahawks game due to personal reasons.
For the Rams, Brian Allen, Justin Hollins and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo are all questionable. All three are expected to play unless a last-moment COVID-19-related situation arises. Bobby Evans and Nick Scott were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
Keys to the Game
Use Mount Mekhi
The Jets offense will surely look to keep the play away from stud Aaron Donald as much as possible. This means running it wide to the left is a sound move early.
Get those outside zones to the left going and hope it can lead to manageable downs.
Stop the run
Sean McVay loves to run the ball. Jared Goff loves to work off of play-cation. In fact, if the opposing defense takes away the rushing attack, Goff becomes incredibly average. Frank Bush needs to load the box, stop the run and hope that can be enough to limit the Rams to only a couple of touchdowns.
Prediction
- New York Jets 10, Los Angeles Rams 38
I’ll give the Jets a touchdown against the league’s highest-ranked defense, which might be an optimistic outlook. On the other side of the ball, it could get ugly.
