LOS ANGELES — The confidence built by the Los Angeles Rams through their recent four wins in five games took a serious hit after facing off against Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley delivered an exceptional performance, racking up 255 rushing yards and scoring two long touchdown runs, leading the Eagles to a dominant 37-20 victory over the Rams on Sunday night.
The Rams (5-6) were on the receiving end of the largest single-game rushing total ever recorded by an opposing running back in the franchise’s 87-year history. This loss highlighted the significant gap the Rams must close if they wish to reenter the conversation for title contention. Head coach Sean McVay had little to add about the match beyond what was evident on the field after his defense allowed 481 yards against the 9-2 Eagles. The Eagles have managed to maintain the kind of veteran leadership and overall depth that once characterized the Rams during their Super Bowl run three years ago, which the Rams have struggled to recreate since then.
“A night like this can be humbling in football,” noted McVay. “It’s all about our response. I believe this team has the capability to bounce back, and we’ll focus on having a solid week of preparation ahead.” Despite this setback, the Rams remain within striking distance of playoff contention, sitting just one game away from first place in the competitive NFC West.
While recent wins had suggested the Rams were on track, the reality of their situation was amplified in the game against the Eagles. Almost every aspect of the Rams’ strategy was thwarted by Philadelphia, resulting in the Rams’ offense managing only sporadic promising drives. In contrast, the Eagles scored in every quarter.
Matthew Stafford, who threw for two touchdowns during the game, emphasized the need for his team to analyze their performance. “You need to review the tape to see what went wrong and how we can improve,” he said. “We won’t let this defeat linger. The NFL is unpredictable, and there will be challenging nights. It’s crucial to move forward.”
The strength of the Rams’ offense currently lies in the connection between Puka Nacua and Stafford rather than their running game. Nacua caught nine passes for 117 yards, marking the 11th time in his 23-game career that he surpassed 100 receiving yards (including playoffs). Despite being pressured multiple times, Stafford managed to throw for 243 yards while handling the challenges posed by a struggling offensive line.
As for areas needing improvement, the Rams entered the weekend ranked 18th in the league against the run but slipped to 28th, now conceding an average of 144.3 rushing yards per game, largely due to Barkley’s remarkable outing. Their challenges stem from both personnel issues and scheme; a critical mistake in gap assignments allowed Barkley to score his second touchdown, and the absence of a run-stopping inside linebacker, similar to Bobby Wagner from earlier seasons, has been glaring.
On a brighter note, Demarcus Robinson has been steadily productive, proving to be a valuable third option in Stafford’s receiving corps. His touchdown during the game against the Eagles marked his fifth in just five outings, and interestingly, he has never experienced a missed playoff season in his nine-year tenure in the NFL.
On the downside, Kyren Williams had a challenging day while his Eagles counterpart thrived. The young Rams running back struggled with ball security, fumbling twice (losing one) and managing only 72 yards on 16 carries. His failure to pick up linebacker Nakobe Dean also led to a sack on Stafford, raising concerns as Williams has now fumbled four times across his last four games. The frustrations he faces behind a subpar offensive line may lead him to overextend himself.
Injuries have also plagued the Rams, particularly on the offensive line, as right tackle Rob Havenstein has been sidelined with an ankle injury. Backup Warren McClendon faced tough challenges during the game, highlighting the team’s need for Havenstein’s return, although McVay has remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics of the injury.
A key statistic from the game was Joshua Karty’s ongoing struggles; the rookie kicker has now missed a field goal in three consecutive games.
Looking ahead, the Rams face critical matchups, starting with the New Orleans Saints (4-7) this coming weekend, followed by a challenging game against the Buffalo Bills and a short turnaround to play the San Francisco 49ers. To keep their hopes for a winning record alive, the Rams must secure a win against the Saints, who have surprisingly found their form with two consecutive victories, putting running back Alvin Kamara in a favorable position against their defense.