INGLEWOOD, Calif. — For the second consecutive season, the Philadelphia Eagles are arriving at SoFi Stadium with an impressive winning streak and a squad that appears to be among the strongest in the NFC.
The Los Angeles Rams (5-5) struggled to contain them last year and will attempt to do better this Sunday night with a younger roster aspiring to reach the heights where the Eagles (8-2) currently stand — leading their division with a six-game winning run.
During October 2023, Philadelphia made a similar trip to face off against the previous two NFC champions, and they emerged victorious with a score of 23-14 despite not scoring a touchdown in the entire second half. Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 303 yards and one touchdown while adding another score on the ground with 72 rushing yards. On the defensive side, Jalen Carter sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford twice, and the Eagles effectively nullified the Rams’ offense, preventing them from crossing midfield in the second half.
“I just remember that they do a great job of controlling the game,” Rams coach Sean McVay reflected. “They shortened the game, which has been a common theme for them. I felt like we had chances, but they certainly made it challenging for us and deserved that win.”
The Eagles come into the rematch well-rested after their 26-18 victory over Washington on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the young Rams have managed to win four out of their last five games, but consistency still eludes them as they seek to establish themselves as an elite team.
In terms of strength, the Eagles’ defense stands at the top of the league and boasts one of the finest cornerback pairings in Darius Slay and rookie Quinyon Mitchell. Conversely, the Rams’ offense relies heavily on Stafford’s passing game, particularly targeting star wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
This matchup between the Eagles’ defense and the Rams’ offensive weapons may ultimately determine whether Los Angeles can generate enough scoring to keep pace with Philadelphia.
“Their personnel is as good as it gets, as far as we’ve seen,” Stafford commented about the Eagles’ defense. “From what I’ve seen on tape, they do a very impressive job disguising their plays and presenting multiple looks.”
Additionally, the game highlights two leading candidates for the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. While Mitchell is recognized as the top rookie cornerback, Los Angeles edge rusher Jared Verse is currently viewed as the frontrunner for the award, thanks to his explosive start to the season with 4.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Hurts is anticipated to suit up on Sunday despite having a limited practice schedule this week due to an ankle injury. He mentioned that the restricted participation was part of a recovery plan designed by the Eagles, allowing him extra recovery days. Hurts also cleared concussion protocol following a hard fall against Washington.
As of now, Hurts has accumulated 2,197 passing yards, thrown 12 touchdowns, and recorded five interceptions. He has also found success on the ground, recording 11 rushing touchdowns, significantly aided by the “tush push” play.
“It’s not just about being healthy,” Hurts explained. “It’s a mentality we carry. With last season’s finish still in my mind, we aim to wrap up this year strongly and put ourselves in a favorable position.”
The Eagles maintain faith in kicker Jake Elliott, despite his struggle in the last game where he missed two field goals and an extra point during the match against Washington.
Elliott recently signed a four-year, $24 million contract extension but has already missed five field goals this season. Historically, he holds the franchise record with seven field goals of 50 yards or more in a single season, yet he hasn’t converted any attempts from that distance in 2024.
“It’s interesting with Jake; he’s such a fierce competitor and a talented kicker that you sometimes take it for granted when he’s on the field,” said special teams coach Michael Clay. “I have complete confidence in Jake. Everyone has off days, but we’d concern ourselves more if his accuracy was an ongoing issue.”
The Eagles continue their momentum with six consecutive wins following the bye week, trailing only Detroit’s record in the NFC. However, Philadelphia fans remain cautious, recalling how the Eagles transitioned from a strong 10-1 start last season to a disappointing 1-5 finish and an early playoff exit.
Given this context, many wonder if the Eagles can maintain their performance and not face another collapse this year.
“I believe that we have very strong teammates and coaches. Everyone is incredibly focused on self-improvement,” stated coach Nick Sirianni. “I feel that determination this year. Last season, we believed the same, but it didn’t pan out. We’ve identified the issues and feel we’re on the right path now.”