It was bone-chilling. On December 22, 2024, the thermostat at MetLife Stadium read 23 degrees. For Matthew Stafford, a guy who spent over a decade in the frozen tundra of Detroit, it was actually the coldest game of his career. People expected a fireworks show between two legendary quarterbacks, but the LA Rams vs New York Jets matchup turned into a gritty, defensive slog that proved stats don't always tell the story.
The Jets actually looked like they were going to run away with it early on.
Aaron Rodgers led a massive 14-play, 99-yard drive that looked effortless. He capped it off with an 11-yard strike to Davante Adams. That touchdown was special—it was Rodgers’ 499th career TD pass and the 82nd time he and Adams had connected for a score. That tied them with Dan Marino and Mark Clayton for the third-most by any duo in NFL history. But then, things got weird. Anders Carlson missed the extra point.
That missed kick was an omen.
The Turning Point No One Saw Coming
The Rams were struggling. Stafford threw an early interception to Tony Adams, breaking a five-game streak without a turnover. Honestly, it looked like Los Angeles was stuck in the mud. But the Jets' interim coach Jeff Ulbrich made a choice that changed everything. Instead of taking points or playing it safe, he went for it on 4th-and-1 from his own 33-yard line.
Breece Hall got stuffed.
Rookie linebacker Omar Speights came flying through the line like a guided missile. That single stop gave the Rams a short field, and Kyren Williams eventually punched it in for a 2-yard touchdown. Even then, the game stayed ugly; Joshua Karty hit the upright on the extra point. At halftime, the Jets held a slim 9-6 lead, and it felt like neither team really wanted to win.
Why the Second Half Belonged to the Rams Defense
If you look at the final box score, you'll see Aaron Rodgers threw for 256 yards while Stafford only had 110. You'd think the Jets won, right? Nope.
The Rams' defense was the real MVP.
They forced three turnovers on downs. In the fourth quarter, with the score tied at 9-9, Kam Curl came on a blitz and absolutely leveled Rodgers. The ball popped loose. Jared Verse, the powerhouse rookie, pounced on it. That fumble recovery set up the play of the game.
Tyler Higbee had been out for nearly a year with a massive knee injury. This was his first game back. Stafford found him on a short pass, and Higbee didn't just catch it—he dived over the pylon like his life depended on it. That 11-yard touchdown put the Rams up 16-9.
The energy in the stadium completely shifted.
Key Stats from LA Rams vs New York Jets
- Kyren Williams: 23 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD. He was the engine that kept the Rams moving.
- Aaron Rodgers: 28/42 for 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble lost.
- Total Yards: Jets outgained the Rams 321 to 242, but lost the turnover battle.
- The Frost Factor: 23 degrees at kickoff, making it a "heavy" game for both offenses.
The Jets tried to mount a comeback, but it was too little, too late. Xavier Gipson muffed a punt later in the fourth, which Jordan Whittington recovered. That was the dagger. The Rams walked away with a 19-9 victory, moving to 9-6 and keeping their playoff hopes alive, while the Jets dropped to 4-11.
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What This Means for the Future
Watching this game, you realize how much coaching matters. Sean McVay knew his passing game wasn't clicking in the cold, so he leaned on Kyren Williams. The Rams gave Williams more carries (23) than Stafford had pass attempts (19). That's rare in today's NFL, but it was exactly what they needed to survive East Rutherford.
For the Jets, it was a familiar story of "what if." They had the yards. They had the time of possession (over 32 minutes). But they couldn't finish in the red zone and failed on critical fourth downs.
If you're looking back at the LA Rams vs New York Jets history, the Rams now lead the all-time series 11-5. They've found a way to win even when the stars aren't shining.
Practical Takeaways for Fans
If you are analyzing these teams for future matchups, keep an eye on:
- The Rams' Rushing Volume: When the weather gets bad, McVay isn't afraid to abandon the "fancy" passing game for old-school ground-and-pound.
- Red Zone Efficiency: The Jets' inability to convert yards into points is a chronic issue that hasn't changed despite the Rodgers-Adams reunion.
- Defensive Pressure: Young guys like Jared Verse and Kam Curl are becoming the identity of this Rams defense in the post-Aaron Donald era.
To see the full breakdown of individual player grades from this Week 16 clash, you can check the official PFF stats or the Rams' team portal for the film room sessions.