Week 16 NFL Scores: AFC, NFC Playoff Bracket Picture, Standings ...

The Los Angeles Rams conceded 321 yards of offense, including 246 through the air, but held the New York Jets to just nine points to leave MetLife Stadium with a key victory.

The Rams maintained the lead in the NFC West with a win that saw the defense come up big at a key moment when Kamren Curl strip-sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers and rookie Jared Verse recovered. Moments later, Matthew Stafford found tight end Tyler Higbee for an 11-yard touchdown.

The Rams got to Rodgers once but pressured him throughout the game, beating him up and making their presence felt. In the second half, Los Angeles did not yield a single point, stopping the Jets on fourth down twice, forcing a fumble, and watching kicker Anders Carlson miss a field goal.

It was a key victory for the Rams, their third in a row, in an ugly game that could help decide the division.

Arizona, behind them by a game entering the week, lost in overtime to Carolina and saw their playoff hopes dashed as they were eliminated from contention. The Seattle Seahawks, the team's closest competition to the divisional title, lost an unenviable match-up against the 12-win Minnesota Vikings.

The Rams will have to get more out of their offense, which was inconsistent and anything but good Sunday, but the defense bending and not breaking, and providing the key turnover that ultimately decided the game, has done plenty to keep the team alive.

How they perform against the Cardinals and Seahawks in the final two games of the season will decide whether Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay, and the rest of the Rams squad have a chance at chasing the Lombardi Trophy.

They need one win, and a Seattle loss, to secure their place in the postseason.