Eagles-Rams Game Preview: 6 questions and answers with the Divisional Round enemy

In a rematch of a Week 12 battle that befell at SoFi Stadium, the Philadelphia Eagles are internet hosting the Los Angeles Rams for a playoff sport at Lincoln Monetary Area on Sunday afternoon.

As a way to preview this Divisional Spherical matchup, I reached out to our enemies over at Turf Present Instances. The wonderful Evan Craig kindly took the time to reply my questions on this upcoming battle. Let’s check out the solutions.

[For my answers about the Eagles, stay tuned to TST.]

1 – After permitting the Eagles to provide 37 factors and 314 dashing yards in Week 12, the Rams’ protection is permitting simply 15 factors per sport and 100.5 dashing yards per sport since then (excluding Week 18 when LA rested starters). What’s gone into the defensive enchancment?

Why the spirit of Aaron Donald in fact!

Considerably joking there…perhaps…I dunno. Anyway, first-year defensive coordinator Chris Shula shared his ideas on the turnaround and stated that improved communication has been the primary cause. Early within the season, each Shula and his unit had been discovering their approach and for the reason that bye, every part began to click on. Their worst displaying by far was the primary Eagles sport which was extra a flat-out domination fairly than an absence of communication. The place coaches have equally discovered the place to place their gamers in the most effective place to succeed and it’s labored wonders. No matter how Sunday goes, there’s a lot potential on this unit that they’ll be one of many NFL’s greatest defenses very quickly in any respect. Shula deserves his flowers and ought to be a number one head teaching candidate in subsequent yr’s hiring cycle if his protection continues rising.

2 – What’s your confidence degree within the Rams with the ability to decelerate Saquon Barkley this time round? How do you count on the Rams to attempt to restrict him?

I used to be studying a CBS Sports activities article earlier the place they count on the Rams to surrender one other 200 dashing yards to Saquon on Sunday. That doesn’t encourage a lot confidence in Chris Shula’s unit nevertheless it’s not precisely laborious to see. The Eagles have one of many NFL’s greatest offensive traces and have the dimensions benefit over the Rams, which is why Barkley was capable of thrive a lot within the first assembly. Sure, LA has actually grown defensively over the second half of the season however I don’t see them doing sufficient to decelerate Barkley. Not like CBS Sports activities, I don’t see one other 200-yard effort from him. Nevertheless, he ought to acquire over 100+ yards simply on this unit.

I count on the Rams to try to stack the field on early downs to restrict a number of the injury. LA must also drive the Eagles to move the ball and see if they’ll drive Jalen Hurts into some errors. This can be a very opportunistic protection that may disguise appears and confuse Hurts even when they’re unable to get constant strain on him. My solely different suggestion is for the Rams to hope Barkley oversleeps his alarm after consuming one too many KFC Well-known Bowls.

3 – Matthew Stafford has thrown 13 landing passes to only one interception over his final eight begins. What’s the important thing to stopping him and the Rams’ offense?

Matthew Stafford has on no account been good this season, however his regular presence within the Rams’ offense has helped the crew return to the playoffs for the second straight yr. Within the works of famous thinker Forrest Gump, the Rams’ offense is sort of a field of candies because you by no means know what you’re going to get. LA scored 44 factors in an exciting win over the Payments and adopted that up by scoring 44 complete of their subsequent three video games. When the offense is on, it’s harmful however that’s a giant “if” with this yr’s crew.

The important thing to stopping Stafford and the Rams’ offense is to disrupt their timing. Sean McVay’s scheme is well-known for its timing and if the Eagles can mess that up, they’ll rattle Stafford. Philly must also make sure you strain him early and infrequently and never enable him to take a seat again comfortably within the pocket. Generally when pressured, Stafford decides to be a superhero and forces a nasty throw that ought to’ve by no means been made within the first place. Power him into making errors and the Eagles can win this one. Plus, they’ve the personnel alongside the defensive position to bully LA’s O-line and get to Stafford.

4 – Final time we talked, I requested you concerning the Rams’ kicker struggles. Positive sufficient, Joshua Karty missed a 47-yard discipline purpose try towards the Eagles. How are you feeling about him now and is there concern about how he’ll fare exterior this weekend?

Joshua Karty should have taken any previous criticisms I stated about him to coronary heart since he’s been excellent for the reason that Eagles sport. Since lacking that 47-yarder, Karty has made all 15 of his discipline purpose makes an attempt, together with three from 50+ yards out. He was even named the NFC Particular Groups Participant of the Month for December/January. The Rams have largely whiffed on kickers since letting former Professional Bowler Matt Homosexual stroll after the 2022 season. Kicker is a kind of positions the place groups don’t have a lot endurance and it’s comprehensible. Rams followers ought to really feel fairly good about Karty long-term since he’s simply one other member of LA’s particular rookie class.

5 – Who wins this sport and why? With the Eagles at present listed as 5.5-point dwelling favorites, what’s your rating prediction?

This ought to be a a lot completely different sport from the final time these groups confronted off. Whoever wins within the trenches will advance to the NFC Championship because it’ll be a matchup between the Eagles’ sturdy O-line versus the Rams’ younger defensive position. LA was humbled the final time round and can do a greater job at “containing” Saquon Barkley. And by “containing” Barkley, I imply holding him below 200 yards once more which ought to be an extremely low bar to clear. If that occurs and the Rams someway safe the upset, Sean McVay shall be taking everyone out for victory cheesesteaks. I’m not frightened concerning the Eagles’ passing assault and bookworm A.J. Brown. Philly advances on a late discipline purpose in a defensive grind as Barkley does sufficient to safe the win.

Eagles 19, Rams 17

Bonus: Do you might have some good assets to share in terms of supporting LA wildfire aid?

Earlier than answering this, I need to say what an aesthetic group the Cardinals are for making the Rams really feel at dwelling over the weekend. That is a kind of conditions that’s above soccer and so they really bent over backwards to assist a crew in want. It restored a bit of my religion in humanity and what they did can’t be overstated. Due to that, I promise to by no means write a nasty factor concerning the Cardinals once more. As a substitute, I’ll protect my vitality and convert it into further 49ers hate.

Anybody considering supporting LA wildfire aid, please take a look at the American Pink Cross or the California Fireplace Basis to learn the way to become involved. My coronary heart goes out to everybody coping with this tragedy. I’m positive any assist they’ll get shall be a lot appreciated.