Can LA Rams extend winning streak to three games?

The LA Rams schedule has not been easy this year, but the team must defeat the NY Jets to win three consecutive games for the first time this season

The LA Rams have done very well for themselves this season. But very well does not mean that this team does not have room to improve. For example, the Rams have not won more than two consecutive games so far this season. In fact, the Rams have been locked into a cycle of win, win, and then lose. Wash, rinse and repeat. We pointed out the two steps forward and one step backwards pattern several weeks ago.

And the pattern continues to this day.

Right now, the Rams have three remaining games on the regular season schedule. And the Rams are currently no better than a third-seed in the NFC this season. That means that the Rams are guaranteed one home game against a sixth-seed, and that’s it.  The Rams are 5-1 at home, and just 4-3 on the road, so playing at SoFi Stadium is a distinct advantage for the Rams in the playoffs.

No win is easy

To do that, the team must win. And to do that, the 9-4 Rams must claim a victory against the 0-13 New York Jets this Sunday. Simple enough, right? Well, if any football game is easy, this is as easy as it gets. But there is no such thing as a guaranteed win in the NFL. So can the Rams win this one or not?

Well, the odds-makers certainly believe in the Rams this week. The Rams opened as 16.5 point favorites, and that’s ballooned to a near-consensus17.5 point advantage.  Then there is the small matter of the Rams playing at home in SoFi Stadium, where they’ve won five of six games. Home field advantage seems to be a true factor for the Rams. Thirdly, the Rams will be donning a bone jersey, which has never been worn in a loss yet this season.

Rams match up well to Jets

The LA Rams have one of the most complete and smothering defenses in the NFL this season. The New York Jets have the worst offense in the NFL. On paper, this could very well be the Rams first shutout of the season. Yes, the Jets offense is simply that bad. But the Rams are not invulnerable to surprises. The San Francisco 49ers are not a very good team, but they managed to defeat the Rams twice. They did so by putting a lot of pressure on quarterback Jared Goff to make plays.

Since then, the Rams have faced defenses trying a similar approach, and have overcome the challenge. In fact, the Rams latest win over the New England Patriots was the ideal answer to that smothering type of defense – run the ball at them. While Goff did not put up Pro-Bowl numbers, rookie running back Cam Akers ran for 171 yards.

Jets are vulnerable to the pass

Still, the Jets have been a bit successful at defending the run. But they can be shredded through the air. It would be an ideal scenario for the Rams quarterback Jared Goff to put up season high numbers this late in the season.  A 400 yard three touchdown performance would be a huge way to win this one. Yes, the Jets are not exactly the toughest defense in the NFL. But a huge game for Goff would remind him and the NFL that he can be just as dangerous in the pocket as any NFL quarterback. That is a message that needs to be delivered.

I hate to envision this game against the Jets as a tune-up game, but it has many of those characteristics. The Rams are coming out of a 10 day mine-bye, and the Jets are the least challenging team in the entire NFL right now. Should the game follow the script, the Rams could come out to an early lopsided lead, and use the second half to get some game experience for backup quarterback John Wolford.

A win or tie locks up a playoff spot for the Rams. But this is the home stretch. The Rams cannot play down to the competition. Instead, the Rams must have a fierceness that they have seldom shown this season. A win is the goal. But winning in a unmistakable fashion would be ideal.