When the NFL released the schedule in May, it’s safe to assume that the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles circled this game on the calendar. Last January, the Rams gave the Eagles their best run in the playoffs, losing 28-22. It was a game that came down to the final drive and Matthew Stafford nearly pulled off the late comeback. These teams will meet for the third straight year in the regular season. Here’s what the Rams will need to do to have a chance against the defending Super Bowl champions.
1. Avoid the big play in the run game
For the most part, the Rams did a good job containing the Eagles run game in the playoffs. Take away the two big runs from Saquon Barkley and he averaged just 2.5 yards per carry. Barkley had just a 34.6 percent success rate which was one of his five worst performances from a success rate standpoint in 2024. Essentially, on a down-to-down, the Rams did a nice job. However, it was the big, back-breaking explosive plays that did them in. This season, Barkley has an explosive run rate of just 2.5 percent and only 10.8 percent of his rushing yards have come from explosive plays. Last year, that number was 39.6 percent.
Avoiding the big play in the run game is not exclusive to Barkley. Jalen Hurts also had a big touchdown run in that game and actually led the Eagles in rushing yards in their Week 1 win against the Dallas Cowboys. It’s going to be crucial for Jared Verse to remain disciplined in the run game and not crash down, leaving the edge exposed. The Rams defensive backs will also need to be willing to tackle on the backend. In two games against the Rams last year, the Eagles had four runs of 60 or more yards. The Rams made moves this offseason to avoid that and it’s something they’ll have to stop if they want to win on Sunday.
2. Force Jalen Hurts to push the ball downfield
Similarly to the 2023 season, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is not pushing the ball downfield. Hurts has yet to attempt a pass between 10-19 yards this season. They have two completions of over 10 yards through two weeks. On passes under 10 yards, Hurts is averaging 4.9 yards per attempt which ranks 31st out of 34 quarterbacks. The Eagles quarterback is averaging 5.9 yards per target despite having one of the longest average times to throw.
This is something that the Rams need to find a way to exploit. They may not have the cornerbacks for it, but it might make sense to man up and press to force the Eagles to attack vertically. Chris Shula needs to find ways to create quick interior pressure which is where the Rams should have an advantage. Landon Dickerson, Tyler Steen, and Cam Jurgens can be exploited. Hurts ranks 20th in EPA per dropback on quick throws. In the playoff game, Hurts recorded an average time to throw of 2.81 seconds. That was his quickest in a game all last season.
If Hurts has time, he has the ability to create with his legs and improvise, whether that’s scrambling or finding an open wide receiver. That’s something that the Rams have struggled to defend in the past and something they’ll have to avoid in this game.
3. Attack Adoree Jackson on the perimeter
If there is one area in which the Eagles defense has struggled this season, it’s at the second cornerback spot. Adoree Jackson at times has been a liability on the back end of the defense. Per PFF, Adoree Jackson ranks 70th out of 72 cornerbacks. His 40.6 coverage grade ranks 69th. Jackson has allowed eight catches on 12 targets, and his 16.1 yards per reception allowed is the 11th most in the NFL. To put it simply, the Rams have to find ways to get Davante Adams matched up against Jackson. This game is why the Rams signed Adams.
This season, Puka Nacua has lined up in the slot at a rate of 61.1 percent which is more than twice as much as his first two seasons. That’s going to match Nacua up against Cooper Dejean for the most part. The Eagles defense has allowed the second-fewest yards per attempt and just a 33.3 percent success rate on passes targeted to the slot. That’s tied for the second lowest rate in the NFL.
Adams was signed to be that threat on the outside and the Rams finally seemed to find something there last week in the second half. Additionally, this may be a good opportunity to get Blake Corum more involved in the run game. It makes sense for the Rams to also run at Jackson outside the tackles. On four runs outside the tackles, Corum is averaging 7.5 yards per carry. When defending runs outside the tackles, the Eagles are giving up the 11th most yards per carry and 10th most rushing yards over expected per attempt.
4. Protect Stafford from the interior
The Rams have to do a better job protecting Matthew Stafford from interior pressure. This is why the Rams brought back Coleman Shelton in the offseason. It was because Jalen Carter blew up a play inside and quickly got past Beaux Limmer. However, Stafford has experienced the third most quick pressures this season at a rate of 23.5 percent which is the sixth highest rate. For as much as the Rams have invested in the interior of their offensive line, it is one of the weak spots through two weeks. Steve Avila has been less than 100 percent and missed Week 2. Kevin Dotson played hurt last week and Shelton hasn’t been a huge upgrade at center.
This is an Eagles defense that can exploit those limitations. It’s not something that they’ve done yet, but the Cowboys and Chiefs have talented bodies on the interior. Jalen Carter also missed Week 1. The Rams have struggled in pass protection, and that’s especially the case inside. Matthew Stafford has been getting the ball out quickly and done well avoiding pressure, but this is where the Eagles are going to have a significant matchup advantage.
5. Don’t put the ball on the ground
It’s hard to put losses on one player, but one player has had consistent issues against this Eagles team. On the opening drive in Week 12, the Rams were in the red zone, looking to score points first. Kyren Williams fumbled and the Eagles managed to go down and score a field goal. The Rams taking an early lead on the opening drive changes the complexion of the game. With the Rams trailing 16-15 following a safety from the defense, the offense looked to drive down and take a lead in the fourth quarter. Two plays into the drive, Williams fumbled. It started a run of 12 straight Eagles points.
Not putting the ball on the ground seems simple, but it needs to be said. The Eagles have forced a fumble on Kyren Williams in each of the last two games the two teams have played. They will certainly be going for the ball if they see an opportunity. This is a game between two good teams and turnovers are likely to happen. At the same time, if Williams is going to show that he was worth extending in the offseason, he can’t be the player to make the mistake.
