Eagles vs. Rams Week 12 game preview and predictions

How are you feeling about this matchup?

Let’s get to some Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los. Angeles Rams thoughts in bullet list form:

• As previously mentioned, the Eagles really need to win this game. If they don’t, it could effectively be kissing the No. 1 seed goodbye.
• Jalen Hurts needs to have a strong showing in this one. The Rams’ defense is solid against the run. The Rams’ defense is not good against the pass. Only two teams are allowing more yards per pass attempt and six teams are allowing a higher average passer rating. Not having DeVonta Smith isn’t ideal but Hurts still has enough weapons to work with. He has to come up big in this spot.
• Hurts’ propensity to hold onto the ball — the NFL’s second-longest average time to throw — is a concern in this matchup. The Rams’ pass defense isn’t good but that’s more about their coverage than their pass rush. If Hurts repeatedly gives them a chance to get to him, well, the Eagles’ passing offense could struggle to get going.
• The chess match between Vic Fangio and Sean McVay is going to be really interesting. Fangio has gotten the better of McVay in the past. And it’s hard not to feel confident in this Eagles defense with just how good they’ve been playing. But Matthew Stafford can get hot and he has two big-time weapons to work with in Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. We also saw Fangio’s unit struggle with a quick-releasing quarterback back in Week 4 and Stafford likes to get the ball out very fast.
• Quinyon Mitchell and Jared Verse obviously aren’t directly going up against each up but this is a huge game for both of them as it relates to the Defensive Rookie of the Year narrative. Verse is currently the betting favorite but I bet that soon swings to Mitchell if the Eagles cornerback can get an interception tonight. I think he’s due for it to finally happen, especially since Stafford likes to throw to his out routes.
• Jalen Carter had a huge game against the Rams last season. With Stafford getting the ball out so quickly, Carter generating interior pressure is going to be key to disrupting the Rams QB.
• I wonder if Britain Covey might be due for a bigger role than most would expect. When A.J. Brown missed Week 2, Covey had six targets. He then had one target within the Eagles’ first six passing plays in Week 3 before he got hurt. I think Hurts might trust Covey more than Jahan Dotson.
• Sean Desai revenge game? The former Eagles defensive coordinator now works for the Rams as a senior defensive assistant. There’s no denying the Eagles did Desai dirty last season with the way they demoted him in favor of Matt freaking Patricia.

All told, I’m not feeling like the Eagles are a lock to win here. The Rams’ record says 5-5 but they’re 4-1 in their last five. A lot of their season-long stats aren’t quite reflective of their current iteration since they’re healthier now than they were during their struggles.

I do trust the Eagles’ defense to do their part. I’m less confident in the offense fully pulling their weight.

I think the Eagles win a close one and Jake Elliott gets redemption with a game-winning field goal.

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Score prediction:

Bold prediction:

My predictions:

Score prediction: 24 to 22, Eagles win.

Bold prediction: Quinyon Mitchell logs his first career interception.

Your predictions:

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