NFL Playoffs: Eagles humiliated Rams in first meeting. Will they do it again?

The Eagles faced the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 at SoFi Stadium with an impressive performance Victory 37-20 which almost resulted in a record-breaking running performance Saquon Barkley while the Eagles defense kept the Rams offense in check. After the game, Rams head coach Sean McVay reacted to the loss, saying it was a hard pill to swallow.

“I thought we came out ready to play,” McVay told reporters. “Of course, the loss really hurt us. I thought when you play in one possession, they scored early in the first half and then we were able to tie it up and then we just missed it. But in football there are such humiliating nights. It all depends on how you react.”

The Rams responded with a win in the NFC West and appeared to dominate in Monday’s 27-9 wild-card round victory over the Minnesota Vikings, a 14-win team that was competing for the top spot in the NFC West in the final week of the regular season. Eagles that emerge from approx Victory 22-10 over Green Bay The Packers will face the Rams again on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field in the divisional round. Heading into the game, everyone’s thoughts will be on the first meeting between the Eagles and Rams, but will history repeat itself or will the Rams cause an upset in Philadelphia? Here is the report from Sunday’s rematch:

Offense

Points scored per game in the regular season: 21.6

Total yards per game in the regular season: 331.4

Passes per game in the regular season: 227.5

Regular season rushing yards per game: 103.8

In the teams’ first meeting, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 24 of his 36 passes for 243 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 104.3. Stafford has seen almost all the coverage available, but the key for the Eagles will be how to mask it late in the game and wait until the Rams are about to get the ball to change the “image” in front of him. That might be a tough one if you ask the Packers quarterback Jordan Love he struggled against the Eagles’ defense, throwing for 212 yards and three interceptions, and described what it was like to face the Eagles’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio diagram.

“With the two-missile defense and the soft play of the players, you have to be able to play a fast game and just knock the ball out,” Love told reporters after the game. “You have to do some dunks and dunks and then also run with the ball. I think all of these things, yes, if you do it effectively and well, you might be able to get them out of that range.

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In the passing game, the Rams offense is run through wingers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, with Nacua playing outside most of the time while Kupp operates in the box. There are questions about another central figure in the attack and whether he will play on Sunday. Tight end Tyler Higbee, who was taken to the hospital with a chest injury, is in stable condition. Higbee was playing in his fourth game after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament during last year’s wild-card round and had five catches for 58 yards against the Vikings before the injury.

According to Professional focus on footballNacua excels in zone coverage, completing 48 of 59 passes for 593 yards and a touchdown in the regular season. Against the Eagles in Week 12, he had nine catches for 117 yards. Kupp added eight catches for 60 yards and a touchdown, but was limited by the Eagles defense Cooper DeJeanwho held him to three catches for 11 yards and a pass breakup.

While the focus will be on the Eagles’ secondary in the Rams receivers matchup, it is their defensive line that will play the biggest role in limiting the effectiveness of the Rams’ offense. Stafford isn’t as mobile as many other point guards in the league, and while he’s not exactly a statue, you won’t see the zone read being a focal point of their offense.

While the Eagles secondary will face a tough matchup against the Rams receivers, the defensive line will play a key role. Next generation statistics (NGS) noted that Stafford, not known for his mobility, thrives under pressure, completing 44.6% of his passes under pressure this season, the seventh-lowest rate in the league.

The emergence of the linebacker Nolan Smith and his two sacks against the Packers should make it difficult for the Rams to play because they can’t move the line in one direction to protect themselves defensively Josh Swetwho led the Eagles in sacks this season (eight) while playing on the right side, Smith on the left side and defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Milton WilliamsAND Moro Ojomo turning in the middle when passing. Smith, Sweat and other edge rushers will have to watch how many times the running backs try to crush the Eagles edge rushers as they get out into their routes, which is where the defense ends Brandon Graham season ended and Rams running back Kyren Williams hit him during a game when he tore his triceps.

Eagles will also be needed Oren Burks to pick themselves up and play like they have over the last two weeks after Nakobe Dean is sidelined for the rest of the season with a torn patellar tendon. Burks has experience with the Rams as a former member of the San Francisco 49ers, having played six games against them. In those two starts, Burks recorded 14 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Burks will need to maintain eye discipline when the Rams start their drives and not over-exploit gaps when looking to fill gaps and try to make tackles.

Defense

Points allowed per game in regular season: 22.7

Total yards per game in the regular season: 353.1

Passes allowed per game in the regular season: 223.1

Rushing yards per game in regular season: 130

The Rams’ defensive line has been strong on defense this season, with their pass rush led by edge rushers Byron Young and rookie Jared Verse, who finished with nine. sacks in a game that broke an NFL playoff record. Defensive end Kobie Turner led the Rams with two sacks, while Young had 1.5 sacks,

Verse, who was named to the Pro Bowl, finished the regular season with 4.5 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Verse usually lines up on the same side where the Eagles left the tackle Jordan Mailataand Mailata can slow him down.

The Eagles will be looking to re-establish a winning streak that was very effective against the Rams in their previous matchup. The team rushed for 314 yards, led by Barkley, whose 255 yards was the ninth most in a single game in NFL history. Barkley also had two touchdowns, both of over 70 yards. According to. Barkley accumulated 191 yards before contact Professional soccer referencesemphasizing the offensive line’s blocking and his vision and cutting ability. Since that game, the Rams have improved their run defense, allowing an average of 104.1 rushing yards per game, including 106 against the Vikings. To avoid a repeat performance, the Rams could stack the box to limit Barkley’s impact.

Like the Eagles, the Rams are known for late-game switches, which puts added pressure on quarterback Jalen Hurts to quickly identify where to throw the ball. Wide receiver AJ Brown could be poised for another strong performance if he faces Rams running back Darious Williams, who allowed Brown four catches for 86 yards in Week 12. The Eagles will also benefit from the winger’s return DeVonta Smithwho missed the earlier bout with a hamstring injury. One injury to monitor as the week progresses is Rams starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who missed the game against Minnesota with a hamstring injury.

Special Teams

Kickers who play in domes or indoor facilities have had difficulty transitioning to outdoor games in the past, but Rams rookie kicker Joshua Karty has bucked that trend this season. The Cards finished the season making 29 of 34 field goals, including six of seven attempts from over 50 yards. Outside, the Cards converted 12 of 14 field goal attempts and seven of eight extra points.

The Rams lead the field in punts, ranking seventh in the league with 33 punts placed inside the 20-yard line. However, the Eagles kick returners Kenneth Gainwell AND Isaiah Rodgers may find an opportunity to gain an advantageous field position if the ball falls out of the end zone. While the Rams recorded 71 touchbacks, they also averaged 29.3 yards per return, sixth-most in the league.

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Chris Franklin can be reached at [email protected].