Preview, predict what to look for

On By Littum

An inside look at the Jets-Rams Week 16 matchup at MetLife Stadium:

Marquee matchup

Rams RB Kyren Williams vs. Jets ahead by seven

The Jets run defense, which has been leaky at times this season, will get a big test.

Williams has rushed for 1,121 yards and 12 touchdowns this season on 280 carries.

Kyren Williams has rushed for 1,121 yards and 12 touchdowns this season on 280 carries. AP

He is second in the NFL in rushing yards, trailing only Saquon Barkley.

The Jets are 16th in the NFL against the run and have played better in recent weeks than they did early in the season, although they gave up 136 rushing yards to the Jaguars last week.

The Jets could also be without star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who is questionable with a hamstring injury.

Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Williams is a challenge because of his skill and because of Rams coach Sean McVay’s scheme.

“There’s a simple, clean personnel and the player and he’s explosive and he’s quick, he’s got great vision, he’s a tough tackler, all those things, so that’s the first part of it,” Ulbrich said. “The other part of it is the coach and the system that we have to defend in, and it’s extremely difficult. He does a good job of mirroring everything. The running, the passing, the goalkeepers, the outer zone, everything.

“Everything looks so sensible, and the best attacks in the league, they’re built that way, you know, and a lot of it is the match, because a lot of times you get a play pass, you think it’s a run , that’s a play pass and that’s a big part of their success as far as the run game, so we’re going to have our hands full.”

Quinnen Williams watches Jets practice on December 19, 2024. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

Costello’s call

The Jets offense has looked much better the last two weeks, but I think the cold weather will slow them down a bit on Sunday.

The Rams can run the ball and that has been a problem for the Jets since Week 1.

The Rams are fighting for a spot in the playoffs. Jets dreams of the beach.

Rams 30, Jets 23

4 downs

Arctic Blast: Honey, it’s cold outside.

The Jets and Rams will play in one of the coldest games in recent history at MetLife Stadium, when temperatures are expected to max out. be around 25 degrees.

Throw in some windchill and this one becomes a cold one.

Sean McVay watches during the Rams-49ers game on Dec. 12, 2024. Getty Images

The Rams come from sunny Southern California where it’s about 70 degrees, so you’d think it would feel like quite a shock to their bodies.

Rams coach Sean McVay joked about preparing for the freezing substitutes.

“Do you have any ideas? Maybe we can get a cold machine out here, take a cold jump or something,” McVay said. “I think when the guys get out there, obviously the ball handling is a little bit different just based on the temperature , but they do a great job of being able to stay warm between series and then when you’re out there, usually , it takes care of itself.

“They have to play in it too and we will handle it as best we can.”

Adams’ encore: Davante Adams exploded in the second half last week against the Jaguars with nine catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns. What can he do this week?

The Rams defense is better than the Jaguars, who have the worst pass defense in the league, but Adams and Aaron Rodgers have clicked.

Adams has nine catches in each of the last two weeks and has passed for 100 yards for the first time since being traded to the Jets in October.

The Rams might focus on stopping Adams, which should open up Garrett Wilson.

Davante Adams at the Jets coach on December 20, 2024. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

Dynamic Duo: Although the Jets will dump Adams and Wilson on the Rams, Los Angeles has a great pair of receivers of its own in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.

They will test the Jets secondary, which is as healthy as it has been in weeks, with both Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed starting at cornerback.

Kupp has 63 catches for 657 yards and six touchdowns.

Nacua has 61 catches for 805 yards and three touchdowns. McVay will find ways to get these two open during the game.

Simmering Sauce: After some early season struggles, Gardner has come on lately and played some good football.

He has been tough against the Seahawks and Jaguars in his last two games.

He missed the Dolphins game with a hamstring injury.

“The last two games, in my opinion, have been the best two games of the season for him,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “I’ve just seen a rejuvenated spirit and focus and that’s the sauce that we all love as far as the way he’s been preparing and it’s resulted in two real back-to-back games so it just has to continue.”