It looks like the Rams v Jets game will get national exposure in Week 16

When I ponder the LA Rams (8-6) traveling to face the New York Jets (4-10), I simply see no compelling reason for anyone but the Jets, Rams, and perhaps some other NFC West Division rivals' fanbases to harbor any interest in the outcome of the game. And yes, I am that guy who authored the historic significance that the last regular season meeting between elite Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford may mean to the NFL at large.

If the latest CBS national coverage map for the Week 16 games is correct, almost all of the nation will get to view the LA Rams at New York Jets game in Week 16. And they will get to see one heckuva game:

The Los Angeles Rams have been featured in five primetime games in 2024, a robust number of games to captivate a nationally televised audience. Except for the Week 12 game of hosting the Philadelphia Eagles, the Rams have put up a good fight in all those games. And the Rams have emerged with a record of 2-3 when filling a primetime slot.

Week 16 is nearly nationally televised, with a small carveout for the Cleveland vs Cincinnati and Tennessee vs Indianapolis markets. The Rams must travel across the country, suit up, and compete at what is effectively 10:00 am PT, While no precipitation is in the forecast, don't expect for a minute that the weather will not play a factor in this game. As of right now, the weather forecast is expected to be bitterly cold with wind gusts up to 20 miles per hour.

That's cold even if you are prepared for it. The LA Rams, hailing from southern California, are not used to that level of cold. As temperatures drop, the normally pliable football becomes rock hard, complicating passing offenses. That is why rushing offenses have typically outperformed the aerial assault offense in the NFL Playoffs in the past. But as more and more football stadiums have become domed football fields, that cold weather impact has become less of a factor.

That is not the case for MetLife Stadium in Rutherford, New Jersey. It is an open air stadium, and winter winds will swirl in Week 16, making both passing offenses and the kicking game unreliable throughout the game. The Rams have discovered a bit of a rushing offense renaissance recently, as well as superb kicking from rookie kicker Joshua Karty.

Both will be put to the test in Week 16 by Mother Nature. And most of the nation will have the chance to see it in real time.

As always, thanks for reading.

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