Sunday’s matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams is an important game in the NFC conference. It could realistically be a playoff preview.
Neither team is at full force. The Eagles have an injury list that is a mile long. The Rams’ is shorter, although that’s because they ruled out multiple key players on a longer term basis.
Rams injuries:
Puka Nacua returns. He has missed the last two games after fighting through a training camp injury in Week 1. Questions remain regarding how often we will
see Nacua, whether he will be the focal point of the passing game, and if he looks like the same dominant performer.
On a less encouraging note, LA will be without Aaron Donald. Jaylen Watson also joins him on the defensive side of the ball. The Rams were already missing Myles Garrett. They now lose two of their other star newcomers for this week. At least Kamren Kinchens is set to play after missing the last two games. The secondary needs all the help it can get after Josh Wallace struggled in replacement of Watson.
On offense, TE Colby Parkinson is questionable for the second week in a row. He was very limited in the last game against the Denver Broncos. Terrance Ferguson was placed on injured reserve and will now miss the next month at a minimum. If Parkinson is limited again, we may see some of second-round rookie Max Klare.
Eagles injuries:
Philly will be without three key pass catchers for this game: DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Zack Baun.
At receiver, this leaves Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Elijah Moore, Darius Cooper, and Britain Covey. The Rams will see a former teammate in Johnny Mundt to replace Goedert along with EJ Jenkins. Veteran Zach Ertz was signed to the practice squad and could be a contributor.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles are missing Zack Baun and safety Marcus Epps. Baun is a pain for opposing offenses. He is flexible as a coverage player and physical against the run. Sean McVay will not be disapoointed to evade him this week.
What a win means for each team
The NFC West is more competitive than the NFC East. The Eagles at 2-1 are currently tied with the Giants for the division lead, although New York does that have a quarterback and it would be surprising to see them keep pace with Philly.
Meanwhile the Rams are already losing ground to the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers are unbeaten. Seattle dropped a surprise game to the Commanders. LA is tied for last with the Arizona Cardinals.
So, in other words, the Rams need a win to get back to .500. They’ll have an uphill battle without several key contributors, although the rest of the roster remains talented enough to get the job done. Their healthy star players need to perform at their expected levels.
Both teams are short-handed. The Rams need a win more. Will that be on display Sunday?
