NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles will face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5 of the 2023-24 NFL season. With both teams coming off overtime wins, which team will suffer a hangover? The Eagles squeaked out a victory over the Washington Commanders while the Rams edged the upstart Indianapolis Colts. This week, both defenses will be put to the test doing their best to contain their offensive offense.
Here are 3 keys to victory for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Los Angeles Rams.
Philadelphia Eagles Must Ball-Hawk
One thing the defense of the Philadelphia Eagles has done well this season has been stopping the run. Through their first 4 weeks, the Eagles have surrendered just one team to reach over 100 yards. They will need to continue that dominance against the Los Angeles Rams and their sensational back, Kyren Williams. In his first 4 games in this season, Williams has gained 245 yards on 64 rushes while scoring 4 TDs. No, he’s not Derrick Henry or Nick Chubb, but this young kid can play.
The Rams’ offensive line has done a great job of opening up holes but the Eagles defense has been outstanding at plugging holes. Something has to give. Against the Washington Commanders in Week 3, the Eagles played more on their heels and weren’t as aggressive.
If the Rams can get the chains moving on the ground, that will put added pressure on their already weakened secondary to keep the receivers in check. The Eagles cannot afford to bring any members of the secondary to the line of scrimmage to offer run support. This game will be won in the trenches.
Get Devonta Smith Involved Early
Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown share a bond. For much of Brown’s career, he’s been his team’s security blanket whether on the outside or between the hashes. However, the Eagles have a deep threat they forget is there at times. Smith is all skin and bones but he plays as if he’s built like DJ Metcalf. It’s now up to Brian Johnson to devise plays to get Smith his shots downfield.
This season, Smith is averaging 12.9 yards per catch. While those are average numbers, Smith could be doing more. He has sure hands and blazing speed. But those little dink routes and WR screens that he’s used for must go out the window. His big play ability does open the middle of the field for Brown and Dallas Goedert.
The Rams’ secondary cannot contain both Brown and Smith. The Rams are surrendering close to 300 yards per game through the air and if last week was any indication of where the Eagles are, they may look to throw the ball a bit more. And that starts with getting Smith the ball early.
Eagles Must Get To Stafford
The Philadelphia Eagles entered this season as one of the best pass-rushing defenses in the NFL. Hell, they almost broke the single-season record of 72 sacks held by the ’84 Chicago Bears. But where is that rush now? Losing Javon Hargrave is not the cause of the slippage. Teams are clearly more equipped to deal with the Eagles rush. Heading onto the game against the Rams, the Eagles must find that mojo. With 13 sacks on the season, now is the time to get after it.
Stafford has been sacked 9 times in 4 games. he’s not one of the top mobile QBs in the league but Stafford is a veteran and understands how to get the ball off quickly and how to avoid a sack. If the Eagles can get through the one and provide presseue, this could be a long day for the Rams’ air attack.
