NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
At some point, these NFL analysts and fans must stop placing the Los Angeles Rams in the same category as the Philadelphia Eagles.
Yes, the Rams are a good team and could easily find themselves in the Super Bowl. However, the Eagles stand in their way. The Detroit Lions may have something to say about all this, but what it boils down to is the greatness of that team representing Philly.
Certain teams have your number, and the Eagles clearly have the Rams. In their last 3 meetings, including the playoffs, the Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts and this group, are 3-0 against Matthew Stafford and the Puka Nacua core. That doesn’t mean anything, huh?
Is this not the same argument these analysts and fans are making when it comes to the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs? Isn’t that the same argument being made when it comes to the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs? So why do they continue to ignore what these Eagles have done?
It’s pretty simple; they hate the Philadelphia Eagles more than they hate the Rams. In the AFC, no matter what the Bills do, they know the road to a Super Bowl will have to go through the Chiefs. The same with the Ravens. It doesn’t matter what QB they have or how powerful of an offense or defense they display; can they conquer Mahomes and Andy Reid?
Lately, the Bills have handled them in the regular season, but come playoff time, they fall short. In regard to the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles, the Eagles have beaten them in the regular season and in the playoffs.
The Eagles beat them this season, 33-26. Just a regular season game, right? No. Now it’s psychological. The Rams are touted as a team to challenge the defending champs, and yet, they can’t get over the hump. Maybe if the Rams beat them during the regular season and lost in the playoffs, they would have something to hang their hats on, but they haven’t even done that.
A blocked FG here, a poorly thrown pass here, or a missed tackle there, and the results are different. But that’s the thing, the Eagles are making plays when it matters most, while the Rams are not. The analysts keep referring to the blocked FG, but are special teams a part of the game? Don’t the Rams pay and coach a unit to block and make kicks? Don’t the Eagles pay and coach a unit to fight off blocks and make a play for the ball?
To win in football, we all know it comes down to three phases: Offense, defense, and special teams. The Eagles have proven they are superior to the Rams in those phases. So, when the Power Rankings are released and the lights are bright in the ESPN Studios, and they talk about the best teams in the NFC, yes, the Rams will have some say. However, they know just like the Eagles know, they can’t beat them.
Analysts keep spitting out the fact that Stafford is playing at an MVP level, Nacua is one of the best receivers in the game, Sean McVay is one of the best coaches, and the Rams’ defense is playing great. All this was said last year as well. It was repeated this year, and the result was the same.
This is no way to disrespect the Rams. They have a great team. However, to keep hearing how the Eagles are still trailing behind them, especially in a one-sided rivalry, is disrespectful to the team that has been winning the matchups.
What it comes down to is this for me. The Philadelphia Eagles are not chasing the Rams. The Rams are chasing the Eagles. To be the best, you have to beat the best, and right now, the Eagles are the best in the NFC and the NFL. The Rams have the talent to beat them, but they just haven’t done it. Coming close is one thing, but that doesn’t get you a Lombardi or bragging rights. It gets you an L on your record.
