New York Jets stun the Los Angeles Rams, 23-20, for first victory (Highlights)

The New York Jets walked into SoFi Stadium and stunned the Los Angeles Rams, 23-20, to earn their first victory this season. 

• New York Jets 23 (1-13)
• Los Angeles Rams 20 (9-5)
• NFL, Week 15, Final, Box Score
• SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

The New York Jets have done it; they have won a game. They went into SoFi Stadium and shocked the tough Los Angeles Rams, 23-20.

Thanks to the victory, coupled with a Jacksonville Jaguars loss, the Jags now sit atop the tank race for Trevor Lawrence.

Facing a fourth-and-4 from the Jets’ 37-yard line, the Rams tested Marcus Maye, but he was up to the task.

Textbook from @alldayMAYE.

📺 #NYJvsLAR on FOX pic.twitter.com/4qt7uglJFs

— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 20, 2020

From there, New York gained two first downs to run out the clock.

Yet again, the Jets offense was tremendous on their first drive. Sam Darnold found Ty Johnson for an 18-yard score to open the scoring.

Big-time speed from @T_Johns6 💨

📺 #NYJvsLAR on FOX pic.twitter.com/51y8cyIwHj

— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 20, 2020

Darnold finished with 207 yards and a touchdown on 22 of 31 passing. He looked sharp all day. Johnson went for 16 yards on just three carries. Frank Gore, who was key late, led the team with 59 yards on 23 carries.

If not for a Braxton Berrios drop in the end zone, the Jets would have carried a 17-3 lead into halftime. Instead, two Sam Ficken field goals put them on top 13-3. (A late Rams field goal put them on the board late in the second quarter.)

Part of the reason for that lead came courtesy of an excellent conventional pass rush and a key special teams play.

Newcomer J.T. Hassell blocked a punt that led to Ficken’s first field goal.

J.T. Hassell making plays in his first game as a Jet 🛫

📺 #NYJvsLAR on FOX pic.twitter.com/6TMWZU9W5G

— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 20, 2020

Quinnen Williams and Nathan Shepherd each tallied a sack.

.@QuinnenWilliams got the power and the quickness.

📺 #NYJvsLAR on FOX pic.twitter.com/BICqRLjKTt

— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 20, 2020

Another big play came via interception, as rookie Bryce Hall collected his first NFL theft.

What a play, @BryceHall11 😲

📺 #NYJvsLAR on FOX pic.twitter.com/nqGSKsi6vn

— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 20, 2020

Frank Bush‘s defense was flying around all afternoon. Frankie Luvu hit Jared Goff early in the game on a well-schemed blitz that saw him bust through free. They were simply ready to play from the jump.

Williams enjoyed a monster game, despite a late third-quarter injury that sent him to the locker room for the rest of the game. He finished with a sack and four tackles.

The Rams climbed back into the game in the third quarter just a bit, but it didn’t come until after Frank Gore stuffed one across the goal line.

.@frankgore 🤝 @BigTicket73

📺 #NYJvsLAR on FOX pic.twitter.com/y75IZJlpsX

— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 20, 2020

Mekhi Becton, a man who helped pave the way for Gore, let out a roar after the score put the Jets up 20-3.

Mekhi Becton imitating Jets fans on this day, only the screaming pictured here is for a much different reason. #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/dX1rLq7RTM

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) December 20, 2020

On the very next possession, Goff found Robert Woods for a 15-yard touchdown after Los Angeles zoomed down the field (five plays, 75 yards).

.@JaredGoff16 ➡️ @robertwoods for six! pic.twitter.com/LnkB0uMLDD

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 20, 2020

Something clicked for Goff in the second half. Even prior to Quinnen Williams’s exit, the Rams found space downfield. Once Sean McVay figured out how to block the Jets’ four-man rush, the Rams found passing space.

After Ficken’s third field goal, Goff found Tyler Higbee for a 3-yard score.

.@Ty_Higs19 with the touchdown‼️ pic.twitter.com/sPYSSXbttx

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 20, 2020

A fourth-quarter Cam Akers touchdown that would have put the Rams up a point (pending the extra point) was called back thanks to a holding penalty. Instead, Los Angeles settled for a field goal that made the score 23-20.

Goff finished 209 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 22 of 34 passing. The Rams offense was hurt by the lack of a rushing attack. Akers could muster just 63 yards, something Goff needs to be really successful.

The 1-13 Jets will return home to take on the Cleveland Browns next Sunday at MetLife Stadium.