The New York Jets and the Los Angeles Rams faced off in a Week 16 matchup as they round out their respective 2024 seasons.
The Jets (4-11) started out strong, but ultimately collapsed in the fourth quarter and lost to the Rams (9-6) in a 19-9 final. During the game, there was plenty of up-and-down play across the board for Gang Green.
With that, here is Jets Wire’s report card for Week 16:
Pass Offense: C
Aaron Rodgers got off to a solid start leading a 14-play, 99-yard opening scoring drive with a touchdown to Davante Adams. Rodgers was efficient spreading the ball around to seven different receivers, but turned the ball over early in the fourth quarter after being sacked which allowed the Rams to score the game-winning touchdown three plays later.
Rodgers finished the game 28 for 42 for 256 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Adams was targeted 13 times by Rodgers and finished with seven catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. Garrett Wilson had six catches for 54 yards and was not happy with his overall involvement in the offense, which he made sure to mention during his post-game press conference.
Run Offense: C-
The Rams came into this game ranked towards the bottom of the league against the run and yet the Jets couldn’t get any rhythm going with the ground game. Breece Hall finished with 52 yards on 14 carries and averaged only 3.7 yards per run, continuing a very disappointing season for the third year back.
Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis were barely used as the two rookie running backs combined for only five carries for 17 yards.
Pass Defense: C
Matthew Stafford was ineffective for most of the afternoon but took advantage of the Rodgers turnover connecting with Tyler Higbee on the game winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Stafford finished 14 for 19, 110 yards and the one touchdown.
The Jets defense suffered two key losses during the game as both Sauce Gardner and Tony Adams went down with injuries and did not return. Brandin Echols, Isaiah Oliver and Ashtyn Davis filled in well as they alongside DJ Reed held the Rams top receiving threats, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, to a combined 11 receptions for 80 yards and no touchdowns.
Unfortunately, the pass rush was once again non-existent as not only did they not sack Stafford, he wasn’t even touched for the entire game.
Run Defense: D+
Kyren Williams carried the offense for the Rams and showed why he is one of the top backs in the NFL. Williams ran the ball 23 times for 122 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 5.3 yards a carry and frustrated the Jets defense all afternoon, who were without their best lineman Quinnen Williams. It’s safe to say that without Williams, the Rams offense would have been non-existent.
Special Teams: D+
Anders Carlson could be on borrowed time after another disappointing performance in Week 16. He missed the extra point on the Jets opening touchdown drive and he missed a field goal late in the fourth quarter that would have cut the Jets deficit to seven. The kicking game has been a tough watch all season and this week was no exception.
Coaching: D
The Jets once again got off to a fast start with a terrific 99 yard opening scoring drive. But, they Jets only scored three points the rest of the way as they went to a conservative approach instead of being more aggressive, which ultimately backfired.
Old habits reared their ugly head when it mattered most as poor coaching, missed tackles and terrible penalties doomed them in a very winnable game. Jeff Ulbrich inexplicably made a field goal attempt by Anders Carlson more difficult than it should have been as he took a delay of game penalty instead of using a timeout. The magic number is now 2 games before the Jets clean house and a new regime takes over.