NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles will battle the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday in a must-win game for each team. The Eagles are coming off a victory against the Washington Commanders, which has them in first place in the NFC East, while the Rams are coming off a solid win against the New England Patriots, which keeps them in contention for a playoff spot.
Can the Eagles slow the great receiver play of the Rams or will Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have their way against the defense? The Eagles need to stay with the Detroit Lions in the NFC while the Rams are just a game behind the Arizona Cardinals for first place in the NFC West. Who will come out on top?
Here are 3 keys to victory for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Los Angeles Rams.
Limit The Receivers’ YAC
The key to beating the Rams will always start with stopping their receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. For a stretch, the Rams were without their top playmakers, and their record suffered. But with both players healthy the Rams’ offensive attack is at full force. Can the Eagles’ new-look secondary slow down Matt Stafford, Kupp, and Nacua?
The Eagles have a mixture of young and old in the secondary and with Darius Slay, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean who have held opposing WRs to damn near invisible stats this seaosn. This core is good but they have not gone up against a pair like what the Rams have. Can they continue their shutdown trend or will the Rams break through?
Ground Game
Success for the Philadelphia Eagles this season has much to do with Saquon Barkey’s legs and vision. Barkley is second in the NFL in Rushing Yards, and for the Eagles to walk away with a victory this week, they will need his consistent production. The Rams are surrendering 127 yards per game on the ground to opposing teams, which bodes well for a Philly team that loves to run the ball. If Barkley can get going against this Rams defense, it will make things easier for Jalen Hurts and the passing attack.
Many in the New York media have questioned Barkley’s big-game ability, but truth be told, how many big games was he involved in as a member of the Giants? This is why Philly signed him. The Eagles are fighting for playoff position, and these are the moments where the big-time players set themselves up for the challenge.
Start Fast
What is the issue with this team and not starting fast? The Eagles have proven they can score points in bunches and their defense is one of the best in the league, yet, they are having trouble finding the endzone in the first quarter. If they can remedy this major hiccup, there is not a team in the league (maybe Lions) that can compete with them offense for offense.
This week against the Rams, Hurts and Co will need to strike first Cobra Kai style. It doesn’t have to be on the first possession but they do have to end the first quarter with at least a touchdown. Starting fast will put pressure on the Rams’ offense to keep pace and with the Eagles’ defensive style, they may not be able to keep pace. It also gives the offense the opportunity to use Barkley to grind down the clock in the 4th quarter.
