INGLEWOOD, CA – And the beat goes on. The Eagles, in a game reminiscent of the win here in the 2023 season, worked the Los Angeles Rams with a series of body blows, threw in a couple of uppercuts, and wore out the Rams on Sunday night, winning 37-20 and extending their winning streak to seven games.
The 9-2 Eagles now have a three-game lead on Washington, which lost to Dallas earlier in the day, in the NFC East.
A bruising running game, some very fine play from quarterback Jalen Hurts, and a defense that was lights out once again were the highlights for a team that is rooooooolllllllliiinnnnnggggg.
Saquon Barkley? Oh, he’s pretty good. Barkley had touchdown runs of 70 and 72 yards on his way to a franchise-record 255 rushing yards (LeSean McCoy had 217 in the 2013 Snow Bowl vs. Detroit) on 26 carries as the Eagles rolled up an amazing 314 yards on the ground.
Incredible. More takeaways from a rousing road win in front of a “home” crowd of Eagles fans in Southern California.
1. Takeaway on opening drive leads to 3-0 lead
Give Isaiah Rodgers the opportunity to play and he makes things happen. Rodgers replaced a hobbled Darius Slay (Slay later left the game for good with a concussion) on the Rams’ first drive and promptly tackled running back Kyren Williams or, more specifically, tackled the football Williams was carrying in the Eagles’ red zone, forcing the ball loose. Philadelphia recovered and promptly drove 80 yards on 12 plays and went ahead 3-0. Important tone-setter for the Eagles.
2. Replay helps on this night
The Rodgers forced fumble came after Head Coach Nick Sirianni threw the red flag on the play, because officials initially ruled it a no-fumble and Los Angeles hurried and ran a play. But the red flag was on the field – Sirianni made sure to let the refs know it was there before the snap of the ball for the next play – and the Eagles had the takeaway. Late in the second quarter, a Jalen Hurts pass to wide receiver A.J. Brown was initially ruled incomplete as Brown lost the football … AFTER he got both feet inbounds for the touchdown. An automatic review took place – the play happened with less than two minutes remaining in the half – and the call was overturned and Brown had his touchdown and the Eagles had the lead back at 12-7 (Jake Elliott added the PAT for a 13-7 halftime advantage).
3. Offense wears out defenses
Los Angeles attacks with its young, very good defensive line. It is a physical group, a hard-working and extremely talented front. And while the Rams had a few moments on Sunday night, they were largely no match for the Eagles’ offensive line, which just pounded and pounded and pounded away at the Rams’ midsection. The stars get a lot of attention, deservedly so, but this offensive line is just awesome.
4. Defensive adjustment clamps down on Rams
Los Angeles moved the ball on its first two possessions – 5 plays, 53 yards, and then 9 plays, 64 yards, and a touchdown to take a 7-3 lead – and then the Eagles revved up the defense. It was a litmus-test kind of game for this defense and what happened? Prior to garbage time late, Los Angeles had 222 total net yards, went 0-for-7 on third down, averaged just 4.4 yards per offensive play, and limited Matthew Stafford to 186 passing yards – 141 net passing yards after taking into account 5 quarterback sacks for -45 yards. Masterful performance by a group that is a force – deep and talented and playing with great confidence.
5. Brandon Graham has a tremendous performance before suffering injury
Great game for defensive end Brandon Graham as he continues to get it done. Graham had a quarterback sack, reached Stafford a second time to tip the ball as he threw it – he had three quarterback hits in all – had a pair of tackles for loss, and played with great energy and jump off the ball. Terrific performance from Graham, who was yapping it up and having a ball out there at SoFi Stadium.
Unfortunately, Graham told reporters in the locker room after the game that he suffered a torn triceps muscle. Sirianni said that Graham is “one of my favorite guys I’ve ever been able to coach. We’ll see where he is at. Not ready to talk about it yet. Holding out hope and we’ll see.”
6. Saquon leads a running game that just keeps delivering
First play of the second half, Barkley takes a handoff, starts right, jump cuts outside, and uses his speed – excellent blocking from left guard Landon Dickerson, among others – and takes it to the house, an electrifying 70-yard touchdown that gave the Eagles a two-score lead. He finished the night with an Eagles-record 255 yards, gaining yards after contract, eluding defenders, making great decisions. Another game, another dominating performance from Barkley, who added 47 yards on 4 receptions in the passing game. Barkley, the league’s leading rusher (1,392 yards) and yards gained from the line of scrimmage (1,649), headlined a running game that picked up 314 yards, just overpowering the Rams.
7. And also this …
• Huge decision late in the third quarter: The Eagles accepted a holding penalty against Los Angeles at the Philadelphia 14-yard line – linebacker Nakobe Dean was perfect with a blitz, as he was all night – and instead of a fourth-and-3 from there, the Rams were moved back 10 yards and faced a third-and-13 play. Milton Williams reached quarterback Matthew Stafford for a huge sack and then placekicker Joshua Karty pushed a 47-yard field goal attempt wide right and the Eagles kept their 27-14 advantage.
• The entire front seven really got after it, delivering good pressure on Stafford, doing a nice job against the run, and staying disciplined against the Rams’ eye-candy offense. Josh Sweat added a sack, Jalen Carter was disruptive despite added attention all night, Moro Ojomo won with his get-off at the line of scrimmage, and the Eagles stuffed Los Angeles. This is the key statistic: Los Angeles was zero for the game (0-for-8) on third downs. Fantastic defensive effort.
• Rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean had their biggest tests against the Rams’ receiving corps and again played very, very well. No flinching. Incredible maturity and excellent technique limiting the Rams, who had one receiving play of +20 yards (29 yards to Puka Nacua).
• Jake Elliott: 3 field goals and 4 PAT kicks. A perfect night.
• And how about Hurts? He was outstanding, completing 15 of 22 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. He ran when he had a chance, gaining 39 yards on 12 attempts before the late-game clock-killing and sustained drives with accuracy in the passing game. Zero giveaways once again, a key number to remember.
The Eagles look to extend their six-game win streak. The Rams want to remain in the thick of the NFC West race. These two teams are a combined 10-1 since their respective bye weeks. Something has to give. Sunday Night Football is live from Los Angeles!
RB Saquon Barkley, WR A.J. Brown, RB Kenneth Gainwell, T Jordan Mailata, and T Lane Johnson
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Jalen Hurts
WR A.J. Brown
T Jordan Mailata
QB Jalen Hurts
CB Isaiah Rodgers and S Tristin McCollum
QB Jalen Hurts and CB Darius Slay Jr.
RB Saquon Barkley
CB Darius Slay Jr.
DT Milton Williams
LB Nakobe Dean and DE Brandon Graham
DE Brandon Graham
DE Brandon Graham
A.J. Brown
T Lane Johnson and G/T Mekhi Becton
LB Nakobe Dean
RB Saquon Barkley
OLB Josh Sweat
OLB Josh Sweat and OLB Nolan Smith Jr.
WR A.J. Brown
DE Brandon Graham
LB Nakobe Dean and OLD Nolan Smith Jr.
QB Jalen Hurts, RB Kenneth Gainwell, and G Landon Dickerson
WR A.J. Brown and RB Kenneth Gainwell
RB Kenneth Gainwell
DT Milton Williams
WR A.J. Brown
DT Milton Williams
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