Preview, prediction, what to look at for

An inside have a look at the Jets-Rams Week 16 matchup at MetLife Stadium:

Marquee matchup

Rams RB Kyren Williams vs. Jets entrance seven 

The Jets run protection, which has been leaky at occasions this season, will get a giant check.

Williams has rushed for 1,121 yards and 12 touchdowns this season on 280 carries.

He’s second within the NFL in speeding yards, behind solely Saquon Barkley. 

The Jets are sixteenth within the NFL in opposition to the run and have performed higher in current weeks than they did early within the season, although they gave up 136 speeding yards to the Jaguars final week.

The Jets additionally could also be with out star defensive sort out Quinnen Williams, who’s questionable with a hamstring damage.

Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich mentioned Williams presents a problem due to his talent and due to Rams coach Sean McVay’s scheme. 

“There’s one piece of simply, pure personnel, and the participant, and he’s explosive, and he’s quick, he’s acquired nice imaginative and prescient, he’s a tough sort out, all of these issues, in order that’s the primary a part of it,” Ulbrich mentioned. “The second a part of it’s the coach, and the scheme through which we have now to defend, and that’s extraordinarily troublesome. He does a terrific job of mirroring every little thing up. The run, the play cross, the keepers, the surface zone, all of it.

“The whole lot appears so sane, and the perfect offenses within the League, they’re in-built that method, you recognize, and a number of that’s the battle, as a result of a number of occasions, you get a play cross, you suppose it’s a run, it’s a play cross, and it’s a giant a part of their success so far as the run recreation is anxious, so we’re going to have our fingers full.” 

Costello’s name

The Jets offense has appeared a lot better previously two weeks, however I believe the chilly climate slows them down a bit Sunday.

The Rams can run the ball, and that has been an issue for the Jets since Week 1.

The Rams are combating for a playoff berth. The Jets are dreaming of the seaside. 

Rams 30, Jets 23 

4 Downs 

Arctic blast: Child, it’s chilly exterior.

The Jets and Rams will probably be enjoying in one of many colder video games in current historical past at MetLife Stadium when temperatures are anticipated to max out round 25 levels.

Throw in some wind chill, and this one will probably be a chilly one.

The Rams are coming from sunny Southern California, the place it’s round 70 levels, so that you’d suppose this may really feel like fairly a shock to their our bodies. 

Rams coach Sean McVay joked about prepping for the freezing temps. 

“You’ve gotten any concepts? Possibly we are able to get a chilly machine out right here, go get some chilly plunge or one thing like that,” McVay mentioned. “I believe when the fellows get on the market, clearly the ball dealing with is slightly bit totally different simply primarily based on the temperature, however they do a terrific job of having the ability to keep heat in between collection after which whenever you’re on the market, normally, it takes care of itself. 

“They must play in it, too, and we’ll deal with it the perfect we are able to.” 

Adams’ encore: Davante Adams exploded within the second half final week in opposition to the Jaguars with 9 catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns. What he can do that week? 

The Rams protection is healthier than the Jaguars, who’ve the worst cross protection within the league, however Adams and Aaron Rodgers have been clicking.

Adams has 9 catches in every of the previous two weeks and has gone over 100 yards, the primary time he did that since he was traded to the Jets in October.

The Rams may deal with stopping Adams, which ought to open issues up for Garrett Wilson. 

Dynamic duo: Although the Jets will throw Adams and Wilson on the Rams, Los Angeles has an amazing pair of receivers of its personal in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.

They’ll check the Jets secondary, which is as wholesome as its been in weeks with each Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed beginning at cornerback. 

Kupp has 63 catches for 657 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Nacua has 61 catches for 805 yards and three touchdowns. McVay will discover methods to get these two open through the recreation. 

Simmering sauce: After some early season struggles, Gardner has come on currently and performed good soccer.

He has been robust in opposition to the Seahawks and Jaguars in his previous two video games.

He missed the Dolphins recreation with a hamstring damage. 

“These previous two video games have been the perfect two video games of the season for my part for him,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich mentioned. “I’ve simply seen a rejuvenated spirit and focus, and it’s the Sauce that all of us love, so far as the way in which he’s been getting ready and it’s resulted in two actually again to again video games, so simply acquired to maintain it going.”