THE The Rams beat the New York Jets19-9, Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
What we learned from a victory that extended the Rams’ winning streak to four games and improved their record to 9-6:
Matthew Stafford wins duel with Aaron Rodgers
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a touchdown pass to Tyler Higbee in the fourth quarter and improved his record against Aaron Rodgers at 5-13.
Stafford completed 14 of 19 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown, with one interception.
In the second quarter, safety Tony Adams completed a pass. The turnover ended in five, Stafford’s career-best streak of games without an interception.
“I thought Matthew was effective in the passing game,” coach Sean McVay said.
Stafford, a 16th-year pro, threw 20 touchdowns, with eight interceptions.
Rodgers completed 28 of 42 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown. He lost a fumble that led to Stafford’s touchdown pass to Higbee.
The offensive line continues to play solid
For the third consecutive match, rams the offensive line did not give up a sack.
Left tackle Alaric Jackson, left guard Steve Avila, center Beaux Limmer, right guard Kevin Dotson and right tackle Rob Havenstein kept Stafford upright and paved the way for Kyren Williams to rush for 122 yards on 23 carries.
Williams rushed for more than 100 yards for the second straight game.
“Every time he steps on the turf, he’s a guy that loves to compete,” Stafford said. “We have a lot of guys on offense that like to do it like that. He’s fun to be around, but when he starts riding and cooking like he did today, man, it’s a lot of fun.
Rams defense is tough on fourth downs
Rams linebacker Omar Speights and cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams made huge plays that thwarted the Jets’ fourth-down attempts.
In the second quarter, Speights stopped running back Breece Hall for no gain, setting up Williams’ touchdown.
In the third quarter, Witherspoon broke up a pass intended for Davante Adams in the end zone, giving the Rams the ball for a drive that ended in a field goal.
In the fourth quarter, Darious Williams broke up a pass that set up another basket.
Cooper Kupp takes over
Receiver Cooper Kupp bounced back from a no-catch performance against the San Francisco 49ers with three catches for 24 yards against the Jets.
Puka Nacua caught eight passes for 56 yards. Tutu Atwell had a 12-yard catch and Higbee’s lone catch resulted in the go-ahead touchdown.
Receiver Demarcus Robinson had no catches for a second straight game.
Joshua Karty returns from missed PAT
Rams kicker Joshua Karty’s day didn’t start well.
After the Rams scored a touchdown to tie the score, 6-6, Karty missed the extra point attempt.
But Karty came back and made field goals of 38 and 45 yards in the fourth quarter.
“It was awesome to see Josh Karty react the way he did,” McVay said.
Karty made 23 of 28 field goal attempts and 29 of 33 extra points.
This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.
