All eyes will be on Sunday’s matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. The winner—with both teams at 2-0—will likely join the Green Bay Packers among the top of the class in the NFC Conference.
There are several under the radar Eagles to know before they host the Rams this weekend. These players may not be household names, but they will play a significant role in determining the outcome in Week 3.
1 – Adoree’ Jackson, CB
Jackson has been in the NFL since 2017, when he was selected towards the middle
of the first round by the Tennessee Titans. The veteran finished his rookie contract in Tennessee and then joined the New York Giants between 2021 and 2024. He’s in his first season with Philadelphia, though the Eagles succession plan at corner hasn’t gone as well as they hoped.
The Eagles’ selection of Georgia’s Kelee Ringo in the fourth round of 2024 was met with high praise, considering that Ringo was considered at times during the draft process as a fringe first round prospect. He’s failed to break through Philly’s lineup in three seasons.
Instead Jackson emerged as Philly’s starter opposite second-year corner Quinyon Mitchell and along side last year’s second round slot corner Cooper DeJean. Jackson is the obvious weak link in the Eagles secondary, and the unfortunate truth for the Eagles is that they don’t have a real alternative. This could be an Achilles heel that they battle for the duration of the season, barring a move at the trade deadline.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Jackson has graded as the 16th-best out of 19 defenders to play for Philadelphia this season. He has a coverage grade of just 40.6 with two missed tackles and a tackling grade of 45.6. The Rams will look to attack Jackson as often as possible—both through the air and by forcing him to bring the ball carrier down—just as the Eagles’ first two opponents have done so far this year.
In coverage as the nearest defender, Jackson has been targeted 12 times. This is a tied for the team lead with Mitchell, though the results of these targets are nowhere the same.
- Mitchell: seven catches (58.3% comp) for 61 yards, a penalty, and a passer rating of 71.9
- Jackson: eight catches (66.7 comp) for 129 yards, a penalty, and a passer rating of 102.4
If the Rams can draw a matchup between Davante Adams and Jackson, this will be an advantage in LA’s favor. Puka Nacua should also be able to take advantage, though he’s doing his best work in zone coverage through two games.
2 – Andrew Mukuba, DB
One of the most fun facts surrounding this matchup is that it features the only two active NFL players born in Zimbabwe: Nate Landman of the Rams and Mukuba.
The Eagles drafted Mukuba in the second round this spring out of Texas. He’s playing multiple roles in Vic Fangio’s defense, which inherently asks a lot of safeties on the backend. The rookie has handled his duties well, and he’s been a surprisingly important part of Philly’s run defense.
Reed Blankenship is the Eagles’ primary free safety, as he’s aligned deep on nearly all of his snaps. Mukuba plays free safety 70% of the time with the rest of his snaps coming either in the box or as the slot defender.
3 – Tyler Steen, RG
Steen was a 2023 third round pick out of Alabama. This is his first season as the full-time starter, and he’s largely been the weakest link on an otherwise stout offensive line.
Steen has been better as a pass blocker through he’s allowed the third-most pressures on the line behind Landon Dickerson (five, battled early injuries) and Jordan Mailata (four) and accounted for 17% of the pressures on Jalen Hurts.
But as a run blocker, Steen is clearly the worst among Philly’s starting five and this is a reason why Saquon Barkley hasn’t been able to fill up the box score as well as he did a year ago. Last year’s offensive player of the year averaged 5.7 yards part carry in 2024 and this year that mark has lowered to 3.7. Barkley is averaging under 75 yards per game.
Barkley obviously had his way with the Rams in two matchups last season. Los Angeles added defensive reinforcements in Landman and interior defensive lineman Poona Ford. Is this enough to slow Barkley in what seems to be a down year? It could be a major factor in deciding the outcome of Sunday’s game.
4 – Josh Uche, EDGE
Similar to Jackson, Uche is a veteran with a new team (his third in the last two seasons). Uche was a second round pick with the New England Patriots in 2020 and has filled a role as a situational pass rusher since. New England traded the veteran to the Kansas City Chiefs midseason last year, though Uche was not a natural fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
The early season results for Uche have been impressive. According to PFF, he’s on pace for a career season from a metric standpoint. His pass rushing grade of 90.4 tops his previous high from 2022 of 87.8.
While he has yet to record a sack, Uche has earned four pressures on only 30 pass rushing snaps. This is third behind the other Eagles edge defenders who have had more opportunities: Nolan Smith (six on 53 rushes), Jalyx Hunt (five on 37), Za’Darius Smith (two on 14, signed after Week 1).
It’s worth keeping an eye on Uche when he’s on the field, because when given chances he’s been highly productive this year. It’s of the upmost important that the Rams protect Matthew Stafford, who looks unphased by his back injury but is not yet out of the woods.
