Rams takeaways: Improve offensive line differential in win over Jets

Rams takeaways: Improve offensive line differential in win over Jets

Coach Sean McVay talks to Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after the Rams' win.

Coach Sean McVay, whose Rams have won four times in a row, speaks with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after the game in New Jersey. (Seth Wenig/Associated Press)

The Rams defeated the New York Jets 19-9 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

What we learned from a win that extended the Rams’ winning streak to four games and improved their record to 9-6:

Matthew Stafford wins the duel with Aaron Rodgers

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) reacts to his touchdown pass against the Jets.Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) reacts to his touchdown pass against the Jets.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) reacts to his touchdown pass against the Jets. (Adam Hunger/Associated Press)

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a touchdown pass to Tyler Higbee in the fourth quarter, improving his record against Aaron Rodgers to 5-13.

Stafford completed 14 of 19 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown, with one interception.

In the second quarter, safety Tony Adams intercepted a pass. The turnover ended Stafford’s career-best five games without an interception.

“I thought Matthew was efficient in the passing game,” coach Sean McVay said.

Stafford, a 16th-year pro, has thrown for 20 touchdowns and 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 its solid play

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes while New York Jets safety Chuck Clark applies pressure.Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes while New York Jets safety Chuck Clark applies pressure.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) was well protected against the Jets. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Associated Press)

For the third game in a row, the Rams’ offensive line didn’t allow a sack.

Left tackle Alaric Jackson, left guard Steve Avila, center Beaux Limmer, right guard Kevin Dotson and right tackle Rob Havenstein held Stafford upright and cleared the way for Kyren Williams, who rushed for 122 yards on 23 carries.

Williams rushed for 100 yards for the second straight game.

“Every time he steps on the field, he’s a guy who loves to compete,” Stafford said. “We have some guys on offense who like to do it. He’s fun to be around, but when he gets going and cooking like he did today, man, it’s a lot of fun.”

Rams defense tough on fourth downs

Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (4) breaks up a pass intended for Jets wide receiver Davante Adams.Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (4) breaks up a pass intended for Jets wide receiver Davante Adams.

Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (4) breaks up a pass intended for Jets wide receiver Davante Adams. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Associated Press)

Rams linebacker Omar Speights and cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams made big 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 run.

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 allowed for another field goal.

Cooper Kupp starts again

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (10), who had three catches, talks to Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner after an LA win.Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (10), who had three catches, talks to Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner after an LA win.

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (10), who had three catches, talks to Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner after an LA win. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Receiver Cooper Kupp bounced back from a catchless 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 one catch for 12 yards and Higbee’s only catch led to the go-ahead touchdown.

Receiver Demarcus Robinson didn’t have a catch for the second straight game.

Joshua Karty comes back from a missed PAT

Rams guard Steve Avila (73) congratulates Joshua Karty (16) on his field goal against the Jets.Rams guard Steve Avila (73) congratulates Joshua Karty (16) on his field goal against the Jets.

Rams guard Steve Avila (73) congratulates Joshua Karty (16) on his field goal against the Jets. After missing an early extra point, Karty made both field goal attempts in the fourth quarter. (Seth Wenig/Associated Press)

Rams kicker Joshua Karty’s day didn’t start well.

After the Rams scored a touchdown to make it 6-6, Karty missed an extra point attempt.

But Karty came back and hit field goals of 38 and 45 yards in the fourth quarter.

“It was great to see Josh Karty react like that,” McVay said.

Karty made 23 of 28 field goal attempts and 29 of 33 extra points.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

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