LA Rams inactives list for Week 16 game against the New York Jets

It's the LA Rams (8-6) squaring off to face the New York Jets (4-10) at Met Life Stadium in Rutherford, New Jersey. Forget sunny beaches and gentle breezes, this game is about withstanding the cold while maintaining the feeling in your fingers and toes. And cold temperatures are right on par with an open-air stadium in the North East as winter arrives.

The LA Rams are not used to playing in sub-freezing temperatures with a stiff wind gusting around them, but they are familiar with must-win games and emerging with the win despite few expectations. This is a team that fell to 1-4, but has played to a record of 7-2 after the Week 6 BYE. Now, just three games remain on the schedule.

This may be the healthiest that the Rams roster has been all season. Of course, suiting up and stepping onto the football field is just step one to an entire array of must do's to win a game in the NFL, but it's a great start. The Rams will pit a young energetic defense against one of the best quarterbacks to play the game, Aaron Rodgers.

And the offense must find a way to negate the blanket coverage of Jets DB Sauce Gardner to complete passes in icy temperatures. The Rams work is cut out for them today.

Inactives list for Rams in Week 16 (Official)

• OL Dylan McMahon
• DT Tyler Johnson
• CB Emmanuel Forbes
• RB Cody Schrader
• OL Warren McClendon Jr.
• QB Stetson Bennett

Inactives list for the Jets in Week 16 (Official)

• CB Michael Carter
• S Jaylin Simpson
• CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
• OL Xavier Newman
• OL Jake Hanson
• DL Quinnen Williams

Inactive lists have been updated with the official inactives report

Now, what does this all mean?

Offensive Impact

• With Tyler Higbee remaining back, the Rams will want to get him involved in the offense. But don't look for him to muscle through the entire game. Keep an eye on Colby Parkinson, who has been subtly increasing in importance in the Rams offense of late.
• The same Rams offense that scored 44 points in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills was held to 12 points, i.e. no touchdowns, the following week. Look for the offense to craft a clock-consuming touchdown drive early in this one.
• Rams RB Kyren Williams has already rushed for 1000+ yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024, with three games to go. The Rams know that getting Williams going opens up the entire playbook, and upgrades the play-action passing. Williams will have a good game.

Defensive Impact

• The same Rams defense that gave up 44 points to the Buffalo Bills in Week 14 held the San Francisco 49ers offense to six points in Week 15. While six points is too optimistic, the defense will play a major role in Week 16.
• Despite getting plenty of QB pressure, this defense struggled to get QB sacks. I think the pass rush shows up in this game. Look for at least three quarterback sacks from the pass rush.
• Can the team create turnovers? When the Rams do, great things happen. New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers is nearly interception-proof. But I can see the opportunistic Rams secondary picking off a pass in this one.

Special Teams Impact

• Punts and placekicking will not have the same oomph in the bitter cold. Look for Rams KR returner Jordan Whittington to have a huge kickoff return in this game.
• Punter Ethan Evans may not punt endzone to endzone in this icebox game, but he will punt two deep into the Jets territory.
• Rookie kicker Joshua Karty won't be asked to boom any 50+ yard field goals, but he will do his part to help the Rams win.

LA Rams vs New York Jets, game time details:

Date: Sunday, December 22, 2024
Time: 10:00 am PT
Location: Met Life Stadium, Rutherford, New Jersey
Channel: CBS / Paramount

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