Sunday, December 20, 2020, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, 4:05 p.m. ET
Jets at Rams Betting Preview: Jets (+17.5/-114), Rams (+17.5/-106)
New York Jets
A second consecutive game on the West Coast could be even more challenging than the first for the 0-13 Jets, who were pummeled 40-3 by the Seahawks last weekend. The Seahawks entered with the worst passing defense in the NFL but quarterback Sam Darnold had just 132 yards in the air and no touchdowns.
Darnold returns home, where he was a star at Southern California, but with the Jets closing in on the top overall draft pick, his days as a starter in New York appear numbered.
After Sunday’s meeting with the Rams, the Jets return home to face the Browns before ending the season at New England, giving them three chances to avoid the NFL’s latest 0-16 season since the Browns in 2017.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have hit the win-and-you’re-in portion of the schedule. A victory over the Jets gets the Rams (9-4) back into the playoffs after they failed to advance last year following a Super Bowl run after the 2018 regular season.
The Rams’ defensive credentials continue to sparkle. They held the Patriots to three points in a victory last week and enter Week 15 leading the NFL in total yards allowed per game (285.8) and passing yards per game (191.7). The group also is third in both points allowed (18.9) and total sacks (42).
Running back Cam Akers enters off a 171-yard rushing performance against the Patriots, the highest from a Rams rookie since Jerome Bettis ran for 212 in a 1993 game.
Jets at Rams Betting Pick for Week 15
Rams quarterback Jared Goff is much improved after a three-turnover stinker during a Week 12 loss to the 49ers but could still use some fine-tuning in advance of a Week 16 showdown against the Seahawks. L.A. would rather show as little creativity as necessary in advance of next week’s trip to Seattle.
Even when they are playing well, the Rams lack the ability to run away and hide from opponents. The Jets will have to take advantage when the Los Angeles offense goes into its regular mid-game lulls.
Jets at Rams Betting Pick:
Rams 28, Jets 13
Jets at Rams Best Bet for Week 15
The Rams figure to have an easy time with the Jets but they have shown they lack a killer instinct. Look for the Rams to get off to their usual hot start, lean on their defense and punting game midway through before taking control early enough to get some players a late-game rest in advance of their division showdown against the Seahawks next Sunday.
Jets at Rams Best Bet: JETS +17.5 (-114)
