The Philadelphia Eagles return to Lincoln Financial Field facing a familiar foe. The last time the Eagles played against the Los Angeles Rams in the Linc, it was during the NFC Divisional playoff game. The Rams gave the Eagles the greatest test of the postseason, ultimately failing to convert a critical fourth down with just seconds remaining. Saquon Barkley was the hero that day, scoring two touchdowns, one of which was his “snow bowl” moment.
Tomorrow, the two teams meet again, this time under much different circumstances.
Eagles Offense Vs. Rams Defense
Barkley was the answer in both games against the Rams last season. He had perhaps the two best games of his season. This season, the Rams defense features improved players along the defensive line. They were no slouches against the Eagles last season, but as just rookies, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and Byron Young were still learning the ropes of the NFL. Now, after an entire offseason, the three sophomores figure to be an even bigger issue for the Eagles offensive line. They are aggressive, attacking upfield quickly to get after the quarterback. However, given Barkley’s dominance over the defense, I think that the Rams will take special care to shut down cutback lanes.
I expect that the Rams will devote more resources to the run. The Rams secondary is suspect. Their bid for success on defense is to be aggressive getting after the quarterback and using linebackers to fill the gaps of their aggressive defensive line (a theme I think will be common through most games of the Eagles season). They’re best bet is to try to stop every down within the first two seconds. Any play that lasts longer than that increases the exposure of their secondary. Expect plenty of negative plays but also plenty of explosive plays. If Hurts can navigate collapsing pockets and evade the first rusher, downfield shots should prove useful for the offense.
Eagles Defense Vs. Rams Offense
I often like to look at target charts for the opposing quarterback to see what the Eagles will try to take away first. Of course, this is Matt Stafford, and every week’s target chart is an even distribution at every level on portion of the field laterally. Stafford is such a good pure thrower of the football.
What he struggles in is mobility. As a 37-year-old quarterback, that isn’t much of a surprise. What is notable, though, is the Rams’ reliance on under-center drop backs. How the Eagles can take advantage is by rotating coverages as Stafford turns his back to the defense and then getting after him quickly.
What will be difficult for the Eagles is the dominance of the Rams’ receivers. It’s no secret that the Eagles’ incompetence at CB2 is the defense’s greatest weakness. Davante Adams is better than both Adoree Jackson and Jakorian Bennett. In isolation, Adams will simply humiliate the Eagles’ CB2 unless they receive significant help from the safety group.
The Eagles also do not have the sack production that would indicate taking advantage of Stafford’s immobility. What is encouraging is the Eagles pass rush win rate. They Eagles’ defensive line is winning; they are just not converting pressure to sacks. The immobility of Stafford should yield better results.
Prediction
The Eagles will not feast on the Rams defense on the ground like before. Kevin Patullo’s offense has been frustrating to say the least, and its lack of creativity will not provide the Eagles with easy answers. Any success they see will be a result of the players’ natural ability and dominance. The Ram’s defense is weak in the secondary. However, I don’t think that the Eagles will be able to block the Rams well enough to limit quick pressures. Receivers will therefore lack the ability to separate downfield and take advantage of the Rams’ poor secondary.
On defense, I expect the Eagles’ CB2 will be humiliated. McVay is still the standard for offensive scheming. Vic Fangio is the standard for defensive structuring, but the Eagles simply do not have the talent at CB2 to match the Rams’ firepower. They can protect that position with safety help, but safety help also means sacrificing structure in the rest of the defense.
I expect that the Rams will score early and often. Jalen Carter will get 2+ sacks, but ultimately it will not matter. Rams win 31-23.
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