http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-jets-matchup-20161112-story.html
Rams pass offense vs. Jets pass defense: Despite fans’ chanting for
Jared Goff,
Case Keenum remains the Rams’ starting quarterback. Keenum has completed nearly 62% of his passes, nine for touchdowns, with 11 interceptions. Receivers
Kenny Britt and
Tavon Austin are tied with a team-best 37 receptions, but tight end
Lance Kendricks was Keenum’s favorite target last week against Carolina, catching seven passes. The Jets are giving up 289.6 yards passing a game, which ranks 22nd in the
NFL. Former USC All-American
Leonard Williams has six sacks. Cornerback Marcus Williams and safety
Marcus Gilchrist each have two interceptions.
EDGE: Jets
Rams run offense vs. Jets run defense: The Rams’ lack of an effective running game remains a huge issue.
Todd Gurley is averaging only 56.4 yards per game. He had a season-long 18-yard gain against Carolina out of the Wildcat formation. The offensive line continues to struggle against schemes stacked to stop Gurley. The Jets are giving up 81 yards rushing per game, which ranks fourth in the NFL. Middle linebacker
David Harris has a team-best 37 tackles.
Sheldon Richardson,
Muhammad Wilkerson and
Steve McLendon join Williams on the defensive line or as edge rushers.
EDGE: Jets
Jets pass offense vs. Rams pass defense: After a career season in 2015 and then a long holdout,
Ryan Fitzpatrick has completed 56.4% of his passes, eight for touchdowns, with an NFL-worst 13 interceptions. Fitzpatrick suffered a knee sprain last week against Miami. If he is sidelined,
Bryce Petty will start. Receiver
Brandon Marshall has 39 catches, two for scores. Quincy Enunwa has three touchdown catches. The Rams sacked Cam Newton five times last week. They are giving up 232.3 yards passing a game, which ranks ninth in the NFL. They have not intercepted a pass in the last four games.
EDGE: Rams
Jets run offense vs. Rams run defense: Veteran Matt Forte has rushed for 634 yards and seven touchdowns for an offense that has averaged 113.4 yards rushing per game.
Bilal Powell has run for 235 yards and a touchdown. Linebackers
Alec Ogletreeand
Mark Barron and slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner are the top tacklers for a Rams defense that has given up 77.3 yards rushing per game, which ranks 11th in the NFL. The defensive line benefited from an open date two weeks ago that enabled tackle
Michael Brockers to return to full strength. The Rams limited Carolina running back
Jonathan Stewart to 42 yards in 15 carries last week.
EDGE: Rams
Special teams: Rams punter
Johnny Hekker got a fortuitous bounce last week against Carolina, resulting in a 75-yard kick. He is averaging 45.8 yards per kick and has consistently pinned opponents inside the 15-yard line.
Greg Zuerlein missed two field-goal attempts from 55 yards against Carolina, his first misses in 13 attempts. Benny Cunningham has averaged 24 yards per kickoff return, Tavon Austin 9.2 yards per punt return. Jets kicker
Nick Folk, a 10-year pro, has made 16 of 18 field-goal attempts. Lac Edwards has put 13 of 40 punts inside the 20. Jalin Marshall averages 24.3 yards per kickoff return, and 6.6 yards per punt return.
EDGE: Rams
Gary Klein’s pick: This looked like an easy win for the Rams when they were playing well early in the season. Now it’s a tossup. The Rams are making another long trip after a loss. It has not been a formula for success. They followed a home defeat to the
Buffalo Bills with losses at Detroit and against the
New York Giants in London. At least Jeff Fisher won’t hear Rams fans yelling for Goff at
MetLife Stadium. The Jets are 3-6 and coming off a loss to Miami. Fitzpatrick practiced this week but if he is sidelined, the Rams’ defensive front could make it tough on Petty.
Jets 20, Rams 17