Not many wins or losses can carry the weight as embarrassing just by the sheer result of victory or defeat but that is the reality when facing a winless team.
Meanwhile, after losing their first 13 games of the season, the New York Jets stunned the NFC West leading Los Angeles Rams in a 23-20 victory to grab their first win in 358 days on Sunday afternoon at SoFi stadium.
“This loss will demoralize us only as much as we allow it to,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “It’s gonna be embarrassing, sick to your stomach about it… But very humbling.”
“We didn’t do enough to get it done and it’s very disappointing,” McVay added. “You’re not going to get any excuses from me and I have to do a better job at having our team ready to go.”
New York (1-13) took an early lead in the first quarter and Los Angeles was never able to capture a lead throughout the game.
Rams play caller Jared Goff passed for 209 yards, two touchdowns and an interception but never fully was able to get the offense in a rhythm.
The Rams ultimately had more yards than the Jets (303-289) but it was New York who held nearly a 10 minute time of possession margin and took advantage on special teams by blocking a Los Angeles punt.
“I thought we had a good week of preparation, but offensively, just unbelievably poor to start the game, penalties shot ourselves in the foot, dug ourselves in too deep of a hole,” McVay said.
Jets third-year quarterback Sam Darnold strung together one of his most efficient games of the season and completed 22 of 31 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown.
New York kicker Sam Ficken made three field goals for the Jets, while Frank Gore rushed for 59 yards and a score and Ty Johnson added a receiving touchdown from Darnold in the first quarter.
“It’s the greatest feeling in sports to be able to ice the game out and know we had it,” Darnold said.
The Rams trailed 13-3 at halftime and saw its largest deficit bloom to 17 in third, after Gore found the end zone on a 1-yard rushing touchdown to take a 20-3.
Los Angeles rallied late in the third after Goff connected with Rams wide receiver Robert Woods for a 15 yard touchdown to trim the Jets lead to 20-10.
Goff then found Los Angeles tight end Tyler Higbee on a three-yard score in the fourth, followed by a Matt Gay field goal to cut their deficit to 23-20 with 6:35 remaining.
The Rams had one last opportunity to take the lead but failed on a fourth down play that was attended for tight end Gerald Everett, but Jets safety Marcus Maye batted the ball down which led to the Jets running the clock out for their first win of the year.
“I’m just happy for our guys,” Jets coach Adan Gase said. “They’ve done such a great job of how they’ve worked. They’ve been through a lot of adversity. It’s been too long for us to even remember what a win feels like, almost. It’s great to see those guys that excited.”
With the loss, the Rams must now beat the Seahawks (10-4) next Sunday to recapture the no.1 spot in the NFC West.
“Obviously a disappointing loss and it’s going to sting for a day,” Goff said. “We have a game coming up next week that we were going to have to win anyways and I think we know that and obviously, we’re disappointed with how today went and embarrassed.”
Kick-off from Lumen field in Seattle is scheduled for 1:25 P.M.
