It was 23 degrees at MetLife Stadium. Cold. The kind of cold that makes a football feel like a brick and turns a simple 5-yard out route into a test of human willpower. If you caught the LA Rams vs Jets game on December 22, 2024, you saw something that the box score doesn't fully capture. On paper, it looks like a standard 19-9 win for Los Angeles. But for Matthew Stafford, it was actually the coldest game of his entire career—which is wild when you remember he spent over a decade in Detroit.
Everyone expected the Rams to just roll over a struggling New York team. Honestly, it didn't start that way. The Jets came out swinging with a massive 14-play, 99-yard drive. Aaron Rodgers looked like his old self for a minute, finding Davante Adams for an 11-yard touchdown that put New York up early. That score was actually a milestone: Rodgers’ 499th career TD pass and his 82nd to Adams. It tied them with the legendary Dan Marino and Mark Clayton for the third-most touchdowns by any QB-WR duo in NFL history.
But then, the "Rams grit" kicked in.
The Turning Point Nobody Saw Coming
You’ve got to look at the fourth down decisions. Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to play like there was nothing to lose—because, well, there wasn't. They were already out of the playoff hunt. They went for it on fourth down five different times. They only converted twice.
Basically, that's where the game was won and lost.
The most brutal moment for New York fans came in the second quarter. The Jets were on their own 33-yard line. Fourth-and-one. Instead of punting and playing field position, they gave it to Breece Hall. Rams rookie linebacker Omar Speights absolutely blew up the play in the backfield. That stop directly led to a Kyren Williams touchdown a few plays later. It was a 10-point swing that the Jets never really recovered from.
Kyren Williams and the Ground War
While the air was too cold for a massive passing clinic, Kyren Williams didn't care. He was a monster. He finished with a season-high 122 rushing yards on 23 carries. What’s even more impressive is his "yards after contact" stat. He averaged 4.1 yards after being hit. When the Rams needed to kill the clock or move the chains in the fourth quarter, they just kept feeding him.
The Rams' offensive line deserves a massive shoutout here too. In a game where the defensive front for New York is usually a nightmare, Los Angeles didn't allow a single sack. Zero. They also didn't give up a single tackle for loss. That almost never happens in the modern NFL.
The Emotional Return of Tyler Higbee
If you want a "feel good" moment from the LA Rams vs Jets matchup, look at Tyler Higbee. This was his first game back after tearing his ACL and MCL in the previous postseason. He didn't just play; he caught the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was an 11-yard strike from Stafford that basically broke the Jets' spirit.
Sean McVay’s reaction on the sideline told you everything you needed to know. It wasn't just about the points; it was about a veteran leader coming back from a career-threatening injury to help his team clinch a critical win during a playoff push.
Defensive Dominance in the Second Half
The Rams defense was sort of a slow burn in this one. They allowed the Jets to hang around in the first half, but the second half was a total lockdown.
💡 You might also like: Who Won the Washington Redskins Game? The Reality of a Name That Doesn't Exist Anymore
- Forced three turnovers on downs.
- Kam Curl forced a massive fumble on Aaron Rodgers.
- Jared Verse (the rookie sensation) recovered that fumble to set up the game-winning drive.
- Held the Jets to just 75 total rushing yards.
Statistically, the Rams' defense outperformed expectations by a mile. According to "Next Gen Stats," the Jets were expected to rush for 31 more yards than they actually gained. That means the Rams' defensive front was winning their individual matchups nearly every snap.
Why This Specific Game Matters for 2026
You might be wondering why we're still talking about a late-season game from 2024. It's because it set the blueprint for the current 2025-2026 Rams squad. That win helped LA clinch the NFC West and gave them the momentum that eventually carried them into the playoffs this January.
As we sit here in January 2026, with the Rams coming off a wild 34-31 win against the Panthers and preparing for the NFC Championship game on January 25, you can trace their current defensive identity back to that cold afternoon at MetLife. They learned how to win ugly. They learned how to stop the run when it mattered most.
✨ Don't miss: Who Is Qualifying for the World Cup: The Underdogs and Giants Already In
The Jets, meanwhile, are still in a bit of a transition phase. That loss was a microcosm of their recent seasons: flashes of brilliance from Rodgers and Adams, but a total inability to execute in high-pressure "money" downs.
Key Stats Breakdown
- Final Score: Rams 19, Jets 9
- Temperature: 23°F (Stafford's career low)
- Total Yards: Jets 321, Rams 242 (Yes, the Jets actually had more yards!)
- Turnovers: Jets 2, Rams 1
- Kyren Williams: 122 yards, 1 TD
- Aaron Rodgers: 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 Fumble Lost
It's a reminder that yardage doesn't win games—efficiency does. The Jets moved the ball, but they couldn't finish. The Rams were efficient, protected the ball, and capitalized on every single mistake New York made.
Next Steps for Fans
If you're following the Rams' current playoff run, you should keep a close eye on the injury report for the upcoming NFC Championship game. The physical style of play they used to beat the Jets is exactly what they’ll need to employ to reach the Super Bowl. For Jets fans, the focus has shifted entirely to the 2026 NFL Draft and whether the front office can finally build a cohesive offensive line to protect whatever quarterback is under center next season.
Check the current Vegas odds for the Rams' next game, as their "underdog" status in cold-weather games has historically been a profitable spot for bettors, much like it was during that December trip to New Jersey.