INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In a disappointing turn of events for the Los Angeles Rams, they found themselves struggling again on the prime-time stage during a crucial game against the Philadelphia Eagles. For the second time in three weeks, the team had the opportunity to tie for the NFC West lead, but their efforts fell short in a 37-20 defeat. The Rams faced considerable challenges on both offense and special teams, compounded by a historic performance from Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 255 yards, the highest total ever allowed by the Rams to a single player.
The team’s defensive end, Kobie Turner, voiced frustration after the game, stating, “It just came down to us shooting ourselves in the foot.” He emphasized the need for better gap control, as the Rams allowed a staggering total of 314 rushing yards, marking the fourth-highest total in franchise history. Coach Sean McVay also highlighted the opponent’s explosive running game, saying, “They did way too many good things explosive-wise in the running game for us to be able to overcome.”
The Rams had a promising start but quickly found themselves in trouble when running back Kyren Williams fumbled at the Eagles’ 17-yard line, marking his fifth fumble and third turnover in just seven weeks. Despite giving the Rams a brief 7-3 lead with a one-yard plunge into the end zone late in the first quarter, the offense subsequently went stagnant, unable to move the ball effectively.
As the game progressed into the second half, Barkley’s explosive 70-yard run increased the Eagles’ lead to 20-7. The Rams managed to rally back with quarterback Matthew Stafford linking up with Demarcus Robinson for a short score, narrowing the gap to six points. However, the Eagles quickly regained control and established a commanding presence.
Stafford completed 24 of 36 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns but faced significant pressure throughout, suffering five sacks—matching a season high. In total, he has been sacked 22 times across the team’s six losses, while only experiencing four sacks in their five wins. Following the game, Stafford remarked, “They rushed four the majority of the night. They didn’t do anything we didn’t expect… We didn’t put ourselves in a lot of favorable positions.”
Rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua led the receiving corps with nine receptions for 117 yards, though star Cooper Kupp was less impactful, finishing with eight catches for 60 yards. A missed 47-yard field-goal attempt by rookie kicker Joshua Karty late in the third quarter added to the Rams’ woes, marking his third consecutive game without a successful kick. His recent performance has been shaky, with only three successful conversions out of his last six attempts.
Reflecting on the game, McVay expressed disappointment, stating, “I thought we came out ready to go. The turnover in the first quarter really hurt us.” Despite the setback and the challenges the team faced, the Rams find themselves still in the mix for the NFC West title race. Arizona and Seattle are leading the division at 6-5, while the Rams and San Francisco Trail closely at 5-6.
In the coming weeks, the Rams have an opportunity to turn things around, with three of their final four games set against division rivals. McVay remarked on the potential for a comeback, saying, “There’s humbling nights like this in football. It is all about how you respond. This team has the capability to respond.”