Tag: Jets vs. Rams

Jets given interesting cross-country matchup in hypothetical 18-game expansion

Who should the Jets play if (and probably when) the NFL goes to an 18-game season?

The NFL currently plays a 17-game schedule, entering the third season of the expanded schedule after almost 35 years of playing 16 games. Yet it feels inevitable that at some point, the league will expand the season again and go to 18 games. If that is the case, how would the NFL create the schedule rotation and add the 18th game?

John Sigler of Saints Wire recently looked into that possibility and gave some options on how to create the schedule, including adding a second bye week — the NFL used two bye weeks in 1993 with the new television deals that year — and moving the Super Bowl to the day before Presidents’ Day.

He also came up with an idea to have a fixed non-conference matchup each year for teams to be their 18th game. The matchups were mostly created based on geography and history between the teams. We say mostly because the matchup given to the Jets is the furthest thing from geographically close.

Naturally, you would think the Jets would be given the Giants for this kind of matchup. Instead, the Giants were matched up with the New England Patriots, though it’s hard to argue with the history there, considering the Patriots beat the Giants to complete a 16-0 regular season in 2007 before the Giants ended the Patriots’ hope for complete perfection by beating them in Super Bowl XLII (the David Tyree catch) and then again in Super Bowl XLVI (the Mario Manningham catch).

So who did the Jets draw? The Los Angeles Rams. Here’s what Sigler wrote:

Remember how we mentioned all but one of these matchups made sense geographically? We just ran out of other options, and Jets-Giants was too obvious (as is Rams-Chargers). Asking fans to make a cross-country flight would be difficult, but it’s been done before, and the NFL’s spin doctors would put out a master class while talking up this game as an East Coast vs. West Coast affair tying the whole nation together, or something ridiculous. With that said, it would make much more sense to formalize the Subway Series here and introduce a Battle for L.A. to put both cities’ opposing fanbases at ease, though it would require shuffling some other matchups around.

Not only would it be East Coast and West Coast, but also a matchup of the two biggest markets in the country in New York and Los Angeles. Sigler does admit it makes more sense to just make Jets-Giants and Rams-Chargers the permanent fixtures. In any event, it’s interesting to think about who teams could face in what feels like an eventual 18th game down the line.

Sean McVay embarrassed by Rams’ loss to Jets: ‘Sick to your stomach’

Sean McVay summed the Rams’ Week 15 loss to the Jets up as embarrassing

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.

Sam Darnold, Bryce Hall among Jets’ Studs & Duds in Week 15 upset win over Rams

Jets Wire takes a look at the Jets studs and duds from the team’s 23-20 win against the Rams on Sunday.

Well, it finally happened.

The Jets won their first game of the season Sunday, holding off the Rams to win 23-20 on the road. New York came into the game as 17-point underdogs and nearly blew a 17-point lead. Still, the Jets left the West Coast victorious, even with the Rams having 10 days to prepare for a team they certainly overlooked.

Gang Green finally got a full team effort from all three units on Sunday. Even if Jets fans weren’t happy with the result — it means the team no longer has the inside track on Trevor Lawrence — the Jets avoided making NFL history in the process.

With that said, let’s take a look at New York’s best and worst performers from Sunday’s win.

Jets injury report: Quinnen Williams suffers concussion in win over Rams

Jets injury report following New York’s 23-20 win over the Rams.

The Jets picked up their first win of 2020 against the Rams on Sunday afternoon, but lost their best defensive player to injury in the process.

Quinnen Williams suffered a concussion midway through the third quarter of New York’s 23-20 win over Los Angeles. Williams was taken to the blue medical tent before heading back to the locker room for further evaluation. Upon examination in the locker room, Williams was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Adam Gase confirmed the concussion diagnosis postgame, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

Williams was dominating prior to his departure, totaling four tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and quarterback hit. Along with Nathan Shepherd, Williams played a major role in limiting the Rams to only 114 rushing yards and a red-hot Cam Akers to 63 yards on 15 carries.

The Jets also lost Jeff Smith to a shoulder injury in the third quarter. Smith was listed as questionable to return following the injury, but did not play another snap after departing.

Instant Analysis: Jets stun Rams for first win of 2020

The seemingly impossible has happened.

The seemingly impossible has happened.

The Jets have won a football game in 2020.

It took almost the entire season, but New York finally has its first victory, a 23-20 triumph over a Rams team weeks away from playing in the playoffs. Gang Green’s defense stymied Los Angeles’ offense throughout the afternoon, while a second-quarter interception and blocked punt led to crucial points.

The Rams threatened late, but a Marcus Maye pass breakup on a Jared Goff attempt downfield on fourth down turned Los Angeles over on downs. A Sam Darnold completion to Frank Gore on third-and-five just before the two-minute warning put the win on ice.

Game Balls

QB Sam Darnold: Darnold turned in his best performance of 2020 against the Rams, going 22-31 for 207 yards and a touchdown. Darnold’s numbers are not exactly prolific, but he was efficient throughout the afternoon and played a clean enough game to lead the Jets to a win.

Nathan Shepherd and Quinnen Williams: Shepherd and Williams dominated the Rams’ offensive line, combining for seven tackles, three TFLs and two quarterback hits. Los Angeles rushed for only 114 yards on the afternoon and Shepherd and Williams are a big reason why.

Quick Thoughts

-Well, the Jets have done what almost everyone thought they could not — win a game. Credit the players and the coaching staff for hanging in there and doing enough to get the job done against the Rams. Overcoming a 37-point loss to the Seahawks seemed nearly impossible, but New York pulled a rabbit out of its hat.

-Whatever Frank Bush told his defense before the game, it worked for a while. Nice bounce-back performance for Bush and his unit after the Seahawks hung 40 points on them last weekend.

-Maye saved the day. What a play by New York’s best defender to bat away Goff’s fourth-down prayer.

-It did not cost the Jets in the end, but Adam Gase did not do too great of a job managing the clock throughout the game. He allowed the Rams the chance to notch three points before halftime and burned two timeouts in the third quarter. That simply cannot happen.

-Where has the confidence Darnold played with against the Rams been? He looked lost against the porous Seattle secondary last weekend, yet poised against Los Angeles’ No. 1 pass defense. The Jets did not ask Darnold to air it out too much, but he did his part and then some.

-New York’s defensive line was operating at a different level than the Rams’ offensive line. The Jets had their way with Los Angeles in the trenches — especially when it came to stopping the run.

-Eight consecutive opening-drive scores for the Jets. For the first time this season, that opening-score drive contributed to a New York win.

-Bryce Hall has been working his tail off throughout his rookie season, but the results did not come until Sunday. Credit him for sticking to it and coming up with a key interception in the second quarter.

-Ty Johnson provided the lightning, Frank Gore brought the thunder. Finally, a healthy balance between the two. Johnson did his thing in the passing game, while Gore got the job done on the ground.

-It’s safe to say Bless Austin needs to tone it down a bit. Physical play is fine, but three penalties in a game are not what the Jets need out of any of their cornerbacks.

-1-13. With the Jaguars now in possession of the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the tank for Trevor Lawrence is in jeopardy.

Frank Gore sets record for career games by a running back

Frank Gore has now played the most career games (240) by a running back in league history, surpassing former NFL fullback Lorenzo Neal.

After taking the field in Week 15, Frank Gore has now played in 240 career games, the most by a running back in NFL history.

New York’s veteran running back passed Lorenzo Neal (239), who was more known for his work as a fullback. From 1993-2009, Neal played for eight different teams, including a single-season stop with the Jets in 1997.

Gore joined the Jets for what could be his 16th and final season. Coming into Sunday’s game, Gore had 546 rushing yards on 150 carries, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry, which ties a career-low.

The eventual Hall of Famer is just 107 yards away of reaching 16,000 rushing yards for his career. Gore has three games, including Week 15’s matchup against the Rams, to do so.

Jets vs. Rams inactives: Jamison Crowder suiting up for New York

Jets vs. Rams Week 15 inactives.

Despite being listed as questionable with a calf injury, Jamison Crowder is good to go for the Jets’ Week 15 matchup with the Rams.

Crowder was a limited participant in practice Friday, but his status for Sunday was never truly in doubt. With Crowder active, Sam Darnold will have his top three receivers available with Denzel Mims’ return. Unfortunately for Darnold, the Jets are without their two starting guards, which could mean a field day for Aaron Donald.

Sam Ficken also returns for New York this weekend. Gang Green’s inactives against Los Angeles are James Morgan, Cam Clark. Vyncint Smith, Ross Travis, Lawrence Cager and Elijah Campbell.

As for the Rams, they will be without outside linebacker Terrell Lewis, running backs Xavier Jones and Raymond Calais, and wide receiver Trishton Jackson. Outside linebacker Ogbo Okoronkwo, linebacker Justin Hollins and offensive lineman Brian Allen are officially active for today’s game after dealing with COVID-19 issues during the week.

Jets injury report: Jamison Crowder expected to play, Rams dealing with positive COVID-19 test

The Jets will be relatively healthy as they head into their Week 15 matchup against the Rams, who are dealing with a positive COVID test.

The Rams are currently dealing with a positive COVID-19 test, which could affect the team’s player availability come Sunday.

Los Angeles placed safety Nick Scott and tackle Bobby Evans on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. Both players were held out of practice Thursday as a precaution, in addition to Justin Hollins, Brian Allen and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.

The trio of Rams defensive players are staying away from the team, but they have not been ruled out. Rams head coach Sean McVay expects them to play Sunday, per The Associated Press’ Greg Beacham.

As for the Jets, they will be relatively healthy as they head into the Week 15 cross-country matchup.

Jamison Crowder was the only player listed as a limited participant during Friday’s practice. Despite that, Crowder is expected to play on Sunday, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Sunday would mark only the fifth time that New York’s top three wide receivers — Crowder, Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims — all play together.

While New York has received a clean bill of health, injury-wise, the Jets will be without Foley Fatukasi come Sunday. The Jets placed Fatukasi on the COVID-19 reserve list on Thursday, but it wasn’t’ because he violated any protocols, Adam Gase said Friday, per Cimini. Gase explained that Fatukasi had close contact with someone outside the organization and did “nothing wrong.”

In addition to Fatukasi, defensive assistant Blake Williams (non-illness related) will not make the trip to Los Angeles. Williams is the son of Gregg Williams, who was recently fired from his post as Jets defensive coordinator.

In other injury news, Jordan Jenkins is set to undergo shoulder surgery this coming Tuesday to repair a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Jenkins suffered the injury in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts and continued to play through. Opting to get surgery now, Jenkins should be healthy by the time free agency rolls around in March.