EAST RUTHERFORD — Neither team looked like they’re headed to the playoffs, but one eventually took a big step to get there anyway. The other couldn’t be further from it. Tied for the NFC West division lead in the standings entering the game, the Los Angeles Rams (9-6) offense thawed out just long enough on a frigid Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium to squeak past a woeful New York Jets (4-11) team, pulling away late with 13 unanswered fourth quarter points to win a mostly dismal contest by a 19-9 final score. It was the kind of resiliency not often seen on the home sideline of late. It’s also become a hallmark of a team that came back from a 3-6 start last year to make the playoffs, and seems to be on a similar run this season. “I think it’s a credit to the players,” said Rams head coach Sean McVay. “The coaching staff, we always talk about resilience. Even though last year’s team was different, there’s some guys (still here) that have been through that…we’ve got conscientious players, and our coaches have stayed steady. That’s what I’ve been proud of. But we’ve still got two games left.” So do the Jets, of course. There’s just little to play for in either of them other than to see how high up the draft board they’ll be in April. Gang Green came out of the gates hot; Davante Adams capped off a 14-play, 99-yard drive that ate up over eight minutes of clock with an 11-yard touchdown reception off a perfectly thrown ball by Aaron Rodgers, but Anders Carlson missed the ensuing extra point, leaving the Jets with a 6-0 lead with 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The Rams would eventually respond, albeit with significant help from the Jets, who inexplicably went for it on fourth down deep in their own territory, a decision that backfired and gave Los Angeles the ball on New York’s 33-yard-line. It didn’t take long after that; Matthew Stafford and the offense needed just three plays to get to the end zone, with the short drive culminating in a two-yard Kyren Williams scoring run. However, Joshua Karty also missed with his extra point in the cold, blustery conditions, leaving it a 6-6 game with 6:22 remaining in the first half. Carlson connected on a 21-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to put the Jets back on top, 9-6, a lead that would last until the fourth quarter, when things finally began to fully unravel. Karty tied the game at 9-9 with a successful 38-yard attempt with 12:44 remaining in regulation, and the momentum seemingly stayed with the Rams through the remainder of the game. Kam Curl’s strip sack of Aaron Rodgers just over a minute later was recovered by Jared Verse at the Jets 21-yard-line, and again, Los Angeles needed just three plays to turn their strong field position into six points.  This time, it was Stafford finding Tyler Higbee open near the right sideline for an 11-yard touchdown pass that put the Rams up, 16-9, with 11:13 left to play. Stafford finished with a modest 14-for-19 day with just 110 yards through the air, that one touchdown pass and one interception. But, it was more than enough for a team that’s made a recent habit of grinding out tough road wins. “This is what it’s all about, finding ways to win football games,” Stafford said. “Things to clean up, absolutely, don’t want to turn the ball over…overall, really good team win.” Karty further extended LA’s advantage with a 45-yard field goal that sailed through the uprights with just 5:17 remaining, accounting for the eventual final margin of victory. A long attempt by Carlson that would have made it a one-score game late instead sailed well right, sending the fans who bared the low 20’s temperatures headed for the exits. Those who left early missed Xavier Gipson muffing a punt return, ultimately squashing any already far-fetched hopes of a comeback. “This group, they absolutely have no quit in them,” said interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.  “They are fighting, and every single human being in that locker room should be proud of their effort.  Did we get it done? No. So it’s not good enough. But ultimately, that locker room is staying together, and they’re finishing.”