The Rams did not look like a potential Super Bowl contender against the Jets. In fact, they looked more like the team that was in the midst of a 13-game losing streak and fighting for the top pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
New York jumped out to a 13-0 lead over Los Angeles on Sunday and went up 20-3 midway through the third quarter as the Rams struggled to get going in all three facets of the game. Bryce Hall picked off Jared Goff in the second quarter and returned it deep into Los Angeles territory to set up a Jets score. Brant Boyer’s special teams unit blocked a punt in that same quarter to set New York up for more points, as the Rams could not slow down an offense that scored only three points against the Seahawks in Week 14.
Los Angeles mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late. Marcus Maye batted a fourth-down shot downfield by Goff and Sam Darnold connected with Frank Gore on third-and-five just before the two-minute warning to give New York its first win of 2020 — and thus giving the Rams with the unwanted distinction of being the first team to lose to the lowly Jets.
“This loss will demoralize us only as much as we allow it to,” Sean McVay said, per Rams Wire. “It’s gonna be embarrassing. Sick to your stomach about it. But we do have two games left and we’ve got to find a way to rebound and respond this week as we get ready for the Seahawks. This was very humbling and it’s going to be humbling, but we’re going to move forward.”
Embarrassing is one way to sum up losing to an 0-13 team — especially for the Rams, a team competing for an NFC West crown and working out the kinks before the postseason. Los Angeles boasted the No. 1 defense in football entering Week 15, yet allowed a Jets offense that has not been able to do anything right this season to score 23 points. New York meanwhile, features one of the worst defenses in football, yet the Rams could not find the end zone until the second half.
The Rams now have two weeks to get back on track before the playoffs, but make no mistake about it. They will be living down the shame of granting the Jets their first win of 2020 long after this season ends.