Rams defense creates turnover by the most unlikely player on the defense

This was never going to be an easy game for the LA Rams (9-6) in Week 16. The Rams had everything to play for, while their opponents, the New York Jets (4-11), entered the game knowing that they had already been eliminated. But the Jets had home field advantage, had the benefit of playing at 1:00 pm ET, which equates to 10:00 am PT, and even Mother Nature added her influence, driving game time temperatures well below the freezing mark.

But after the Rams victory, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. The Rams needed a game like this. Cold weather is almost certainly in their future if this team has any success in postseason competition.

Different time zones, freezing temperatures, and playing on the road are enough to rock any young team. But the Rams are learning how to reach down deep and make things happen. And much of that unextinguishable resolve orginates from Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula. While Shula's defense is young and inconsistent, he has a knack for making the right halftime adjustments and fielding a much stingier defense in the second half.

One such adjustment was sending safety Kamren Curl on a blitz to throw off the timing of veteran QB Aaron Rodgers. Not only did Curl get the sack, but he forced a fumble on the strip sack that was recovered by powerhouse outside linebacker Jared Verse.

The play set up the Rams offense with first down and 10 yards to go from the Jets 21-yard line. After two runs by RB Kyren Williams to put the ball on the 11-yard line, veteran QB Matthew Stafford threw to a wide open TE Tyler Higbee who rumbled in and dove into the end zone for his first reception in 2024.

It was the game winning score, the touchdown that broke a 9-9 tie and put the Rams ahead for good. The Rams would finish off their scoring by kicking a field goal to increase their lead to 19-9. That would end up as the final score.

And to think, the turning point of the game was an unexpected sack of Jets QB Aaron Rodgers by defensive back Kamren Curl. That was not on my bingo card.

Thanks for reading.

Week 16 FInal Score

Los Angeles Rams (9-6) 19
New York Jets (4-11) 9

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