Game story
In Week 15 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-12-20, the New York Jets took care of business against the Los Angeles Rams, pulling away with a 23–20 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams) paced the passing game, with -8.36 total EPA, and +1.3% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, T. Higbee (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.48 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-16.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles Rams changed the game: (4:00) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass incomplete deep right to 81-G.Everett (20-M.Maye).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Jets | 7 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Higbee · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +4.48 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
- 2 S. Darnold · New York Jets · Passing · +4.11 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
- 3 T. Johnson · New York Jets · Receiving · +3.84 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
- 4 R. Woods · Los Angeles Rams · Rushing · +2.27 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.27 EPA/play
- 5 J. Crowder · New York Jets · Receiving · +2.09 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
- 6 C. Herndon · New York Jets · Receiving · +1.86 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
- 7 B. Perriman · New York Jets · Receiving · +1.48 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
- 8 F. Gore · New York Jets · Receiving · +1.33 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Higbee — LA · Receiving
T. Higbee posted the highest total EPA (+4.48) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Rams's efficiency. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +0.90 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.54 EPA) came from Los Angeles Rams: (9:59) 16-J.Goff pass short right intended for 17-R.Woods INTERCEPTED by 37-B.Hall at LA 42. 37-B.Hall to LA 22 for 20 yards (11-J.Reynolds).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New York Jets — T. Johnson (S. Darnold pass)
- New York Jets — F. Gore
- Los Angeles Rams — R. Woods (J. Goff pass)
- Los Angeles Rams — T. Higbee (J. Goff pass)
Field goals
- New York Jets — S. Ficken
- New York Jets — S. Ficken
- Los Angeles Rams — M. Gay
- New York Jets — S. Ficken
- Los Angeles Rams — M. Gay
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: New York Jets won the period 7–0. New York Jets found the end zone from the LA 18 (Q1 51:33) — (6:33) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 25-T.Johnson for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q1 51:25) — 9-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann..
The second quarter: New York Jets won the period 6–3. New York Jets connected on a field goal from the LA 21 (Q2 42:49) — (12:49) 9-S.Ficken 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann.; New York Jets connected on a field goal from the LA 7 (Q2 37:41) — (7:41) 9-S.Ficken 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the NYJ 27 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 1-M.Gay 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
The third quarter: New York Jets won the period 10–7. New York Jets found the end zone from the LA 1 (Q3 23:34) — (8:34) 21-F.Gore left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q3 23:30) — 9-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NYJ 15 (Q3 21:14) — (6:14) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 17-R.Woods for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN [93-T.Basham].; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q3 21:09) — 1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; New York Jets connected on a field goal from the LA 3 (Q3 16:42) — (1:42) 9-S.Ficken 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 10–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the NYJ 3 (Q4 13:52) — (13:52) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 89-T.Higbee for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q4 13:47) — 1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the NYJ 23 (Q4 6:40) — (6:40) 1-M.Gay 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 4:00) — (4:00) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass incomplete deep right to 81-G.Everett (20-M.Maye).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 7:36) — (7:36) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass incomplete short middle to 17-R.Woods [91-J.Franklin-Myers]. New York Jets challenged the runner was not down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 16
- New York Jets (Q4 5:47) — (5:47) 7-B.Mann punts 50 yards to LA 23, Center-42-T.Hennessy. 14-N.Webster to NYJ 43 for 34 yards (7-B.Mann).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q2 39:59) — (9:59) 16-J.Goff pass short right intended for 17-R.Woods INTERCEPTED by 37-B.Hall at LA 42. 37-B.Hall to LA 22 for 20 yards (11-J.Reynolds).
- New York Jets (Q1 54:52) — (9:52) (Shotgun) 21-F.Gore up the middle to LA 38 for 5 yards (32-J.Fuller).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q2 39:59) — (9:59) 16-J.Goff pass short right intended for 17-R.Woods INTERCEPTED by 37-B.Hall at LA 42. 37-B.Hall to LA 22 for 20 yards (11-J.Reynolds).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q2 44:20) — (14:20) 6-J.Hekker punt is BLOCKED by 49-J.Hassell, Center-44-J.McQuaide, RECOVERED by NYJ-38-L.Jackson at LA 27.
- New York Jets (Q1 51:33) — (6:33) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 25-T.Johnson for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q4 4:00) — (4:00) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass incomplete deep right to 81-G.Everett (20-M.Maye).
Quarterback report card
J.Goff led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Rams, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Goff (Los Angeles Rams) · 40 dropbacks · 55.0% completion · +1.3% CPOE · -0.21 EPA/play · -8.36 total EPA
- S.Darnold (New York Jets) · 36 dropbacks · 61.1% completion · +8.8% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +4.11 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | New York Jets | Los Angeles Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.079 | -0.192 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.5% | 34.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.114 | -0.209 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.170 | -0.237 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.192 | +0.079 |
| Defensive success rate | 65.8% | 59.5% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, New York Jets generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.08 vs -0.19), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Los Angeles Rams: 11 drives, -15.20 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- New York Jets: 11 drives, -6.26 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- New York Jets leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- T. Higbee (Los Angeles Rams) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- S. Darnold (NYJ) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- New York Jets TD (+6) — Q1 51:33 · LA 18 · Score 6-0
(6:33) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 25-T.Johnson for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Jets XP (+1) — Q1 51:25 · LA 15 · Score 7-0
9-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann. - New York Jets FG (+3) — Q2 42:49 · LA 21 · Score 10-0
(12:49) 9-S.Ficken 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann. - New York Jets FG (+3) — Q2 37:41 · LA 7 · Score 13-0
(7:41) 9-S.Ficken 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · NYJ 27 · Score 13-3
(:03) 1-M.Gay 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - New York Jets TD (+6) — Q3 23:34 · LA 1 · Score 19-3
(8:34) 21-F.Gore left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Jets XP (+1) — Q3 23:30 · LA 15 · Score 20-3
9-S.Ficken extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 21:14 · NYJ 15 · Score 20-9
(6:14) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 17-R.Woods for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN [93-T.Basham]. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 21:09 · NYJ 15 · Score 20-10
1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - New York Jets FG (+3) — Q3 16:42 · LA 3 · Score 23-10
(1:42) 9-S.Ficken 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-7-B.Mann. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 13:52 · NYJ 3 · Score 23-16
(13:52) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 89-T.Higbee for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q4 13:47 · NYJ 15 · Score 23-17
1-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q4 6:40 · NYJ 23 · Score 23-20
(6:40) 1-M.Gay 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.McQuaide, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
Frequently asked questions
Who won New York Jets vs Los Angeles Rams?
The New York Jets beat the Los Angeles Rams 23-20 in Week 15, 2020 on 2020-12-20.
What was the final score of New York Jets vs Los Angeles Rams?
The final score was New York Jets 23, Los Angeles Rams 20 (NYJ 23-20 LA) in Week 15, 2020 on 2020-12-20.
What was the score by quarter in New York Jets vs Los Angeles Rams?
Q1: New York Jets 7, Los Angeles Rams 0; Q2: New York Jets 6, Los Angeles Rams 3; Q3: New York Jets 10, Los Angeles Rams 7; Q4: New York Jets 0, Los Angeles Rams 10; Final: New York Jets 23, Los Angeles Rams 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in New York Jets vs Los Angeles Rams?
New York Jets touchdown — T. Johnson (S. Darnold pass) (Q1 51:33) New York Jets touchdown — F. Gore (Q3 23:34) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — R. Woods (J. Goff pass) (Q3 21:14) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — T. Higbee (J. Goff pass) (Q4 13:52) New York Jets field goal — S. Ficken (Q2 42:49, 3 pts) New York Jets field goal — S. Ficken (Q2 37:41, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — M. Gay (Q2 30:03, 3 pts) New York Jets field goal — S. Ficken (Q3 16:42, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — M. Gay (Q4 6:40, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in New York Jets vs Los Angeles Rams?
J. Goff (Los Angeles Rams), 55.0% completion, +1.3% CPOE, -0.21 EPA per dropback, -8.36 total passing EPA. S. Darnold (New York Jets), 61.1% completion, +8.8% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +4.11 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in New York Jets vs Los Angeles Rams?
T. Higbee (Los Angeles Rams) led the game in total EPA with +4.48 on receiving plays. across 5 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.54 EPA): (9:59) 16-J.Goff pass short right intended for 17-R.Woods INTERCEPTED by 37-B.Hall at LA 42. 37-B.Hall to LA 22 for 20 yards (11-J.Reynolds).. The biggest win-probability swing was -16.2%.
Was New York Jets vs Los Angeles Rams a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. New York Jets won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
New York Jets
Entered 0-13 Now 1-13 W
Los Angeles Rams
Entered 9-4 Now 9-5 L
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