The LA defense struggled in the first game against Philly, but this time around it could be a different story
It feels like a lifetime ago since the Rams defense gave up 255 yards to Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, as the LA’s defense has been relentless as of late while allowing opponents just 10 points or less in four out of their last five games. The one time they did give up more than 10 points in that span, it was a Week 18 game that saw them bench most of their starters because the playoffs were already locked up.
While Barkley poses a huge threat, rushing for over 2,000 yards this season, the Los Angeles defense has been specifically stout against the run as of late, not giving up a rushing touchdown to any opponent since Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills.
It seems the Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has taken notice of LA’s improvements since their last meeting. When asked about the Rams unit his defense will face on Sunday, the former Boise State quarterback turned coach said:
“Long time between those two games, a bunch of other games, they are playing as well as any defense in the league right now, and they are playing really confidently. They will stress us in a lot of different ways. And there will be a lot of challenges associated with our run game based on them having the film and the film they have put out the last month and a half, which has been really, really impressive. It will be a challenge.”
Moore continued “You can tell every phase of that defense is tied together, and obviously the front is doing an excellent job getting pressure and the challenge when you get into obvious passing situations. Those guys are as good as it gets in this league collectively.”
It’s obvious as to why Moore specifically mentioned the Rams front, as they are coming off their best performance of the season – a 27-9 Wild Card victory vs. the Minnesota Vikings that saw them tie the NFL postseason record for most sacks by a defense with nine total.
The Vikings were unable to contain the Rams pass rush as Kobie Turner, Byron Young and rookies Braden Fiske and Jared Verse pinned their ears back to harass QB Sam Darnold all night long. Verse, the Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite, added insult to injury with his 57-yard scoop and score touchdown in the second quarter.
Head coach Sean McVay has been able to rally his team in the face of adversity all year long. From mounting injuries, to a 1-4 start, to losing their home field advantage in the playoffs due to the Los Angeles wild fires, McVay’s team just continues to respond over and over again.
Facing Philadelphia in the divisional round of the playoffs is just another chance for McVay and company to show how they respond to hardship. LA was knocked around to the tune of 37-20 the first time they met the Eagles, and McVay is hoping that experience left a bad taste in the team’s mouth.
“I think when you have humbling experiences with the right kinds of people, those are where the real growth ‘ops’ exist. I think we had a lot of guys that really, as a team, you can look inward and you can say, ‘Is this really what we want to be about?’”
“That humbling night, when you have the right people…it’s just like I’ve told you guys. I think a lot of the scars that we’ve had as a team have been what led us to the point that we’re at. I know the greatest growth opportunities that I have ever taken part, with myself in particular, are when it’s the most challenging times,” McVay said.
McVay also took some of the blame for the looking inward to himself and his coaching staff for answers on how they can change the outcome this time around.
“Where are the things that we can adjust and adapt from a coaching perspective? Where’s the sense of urgency that’s going to be required for coaches and players to be able to execute the way that we want and what kind of work needs to be put in throughout the course of the week? What do we need to do? How do we want to act, interact, and respond accordingly with how we move forward?’”
Another factor this game that is different from the last is the absence of Eagles LB Nakobe Dean, who sustained a knee injury vs the Green Bay Packers and is expected to miss the rest of the season. In his first matchup vs. LA, Dean was a menace totaling five tackles and a sack.
The Rams will need to travel to Philadelphia for this game, which poses another challenge too given the cross-country trip and the outside elements that await. Luckily for Los Angeles, it is projected to be around 40 degrees on Sunday, which is as close to a summer day in January as you get on the east coast.
LA will need to play great in all three facets of the game to have a chance against the Eagles, but a road trip win in a hostile environment could prove to be the best motivator to spring the Rams forward in their chase of another Lombardi trophy.
