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Game Recap

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Jets-Rams Game Recap | Offense Starts Fast, Can't Convert on Critical Fourth Downs in Loss to Rams

Los Angeles Capitalizes on Pair of Fourth-Down Stops; Aaron Rodgers Throws TD Pass No. 499

Game Recap - NY Lotto-wk16-2024

The Jets (4-11) started fast and held the Rams (9-6) to 242 total yards, but Los Angeles took care of multiple short fields in its 19-9 win at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The Jets converted just 2-of-5 on fourth down and an Aaron Rodgers strip-sack led to the game-winning score and Los Angeles scored 16 of its 19 points off drives that started in plus-territory.

Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams picked up where they left off last week at Jacksonville as the Jets scored first on an 11-yard strike from Rodgers to Adams, who leaped in the back of the end zone to secure the pinpoint pass over Rams safety Kam Curl. The touchdown, which capped a 14-play, 99-yard drive in the first quarter, was No. 499 of Rodgers' career and the 82nd to Adams, tying Dan Marino and Mark Clayton for the third-most touchdowns for a QB-WR duo in league history.

Coincidentally, it was the Green & White's first 99-yard drive on its first series since 2016 … against the Rams.

The Jets' fast start in the coldest home game since the 2009 season continued as S Tony Adams intercepted Rams QB Matt Stafford, his first in the last six games, on the ensuing possession. That set up Rodgers & Co. on their 24-yard line, but the offense gave LA the ball back on the New York 33-yard line 4 plays later. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich elected go for it on fourth-and-1, but Breece Hall was stopped for no gain and a turnover on downs.

"For one, their offense was being very efficient at that point and our offense was being very efficient as well," Ulbrich said of the decision to go for it. "We were maintaining drives, moving the ball, we were converting third and fourth [downs] there for awhile, so I just wanted to stay aggressive."

See all of the best game photos from the Week 16 game on a cold day at MetLife Stadium.

Rams RB Kyren Williams, who finished the game with 122 yards on 23 carries (5.3 avg.), scored 3 plays later on a 2-yard rushing touchdown, but K Josh Karty missed the extra point to keep the game tied, 6-6.

The Jets then held the ball for the final 6:22 of the second quarter and the opening 9:45 of the third quarter, but the offense again stalled on fourth down, this time in the red zone. On the LA 14-yard line up by 9-6 (Anders Carlson hit a 21-yard FG at the end of the first half), Rodgers could not connect with Davante Adams on the 14th play of the drive. The Rams responded with a 13-play, 66-yard drive that resulted in a game-tying 38-yard field goal.

"That's Brick [Coach Ulbrich], Aaron and the whole team's mindset, to do whatever we can to put up points," Adams said. "You live by it, you die by it sometimes, unfortunately. It's unfortunate, but I felt it was the right thing to do."

On the ensuing drive, Rodgers turned the ball over for the first time since Week 13. Curl punched the ball out from Rodgers' hands and rookie edge rusher Jared Verse recovered on the Jets' 21-yard line. Stafford's touchdown pass to TE Tyler Higbee put the visitors up, 16-9, and the Rams later added a field goal with 5:22 remaining to seal the game.

"I probably should've dealt the ball," Rodgers said of the turnover. "Looked like we were pretty gloved in all spots, but I should've just gotten quick out of the pocket and dumped it somewhere. Bad play."

Jetcetera
Jets CB Sauce Gardner exited the game after aggravating a hamstring injury. … S Tony Adams sustained an ankle injury and rookie LT Olu Fashanu sustained a foot injury in the fourth quarter. IHC Jeff Ulbrich said Fashanu would undergo tests but it was too early to speculate what the injury is and its severity. … Aaron Rodgers threw for 256 yards and completed 66.7% of his passes (28 of 42). … Davante Adams led the Green & White with 7 receptions and 68 yards. … Solomon Thomas started for All-Pro DT Quinnen Williams, who tested his hamstring pregame but was inactive. … LB Jamien Sherwood led the team with 8 tackles. … Will McDonald, Haason Reddick and Adams each had a pass defense.

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