After two weeks on the road, the Philadelphia Eagles are returning to Lincoln Financial Field to host a familiar enemy: the Los Angeles Rams.
In order to preview this Week 4 matchup, I reached out to our enemies over at Turf Show Times. The excellent Evan Craig kindly took the time took the time to answer my questions about this upcoming battle. Let’s take a look at the answers.
[For my answers to Evan’s questions about the Eagles, stay tuned to TST.]
1 – The Rams entered the season as Super Bowl betting favorites but they’re off to a 1-2 start. What’s gone wrong?
Much of it is due to injuries and inconsistent play.
The Rams began the season with a thud, largely because of a terrible travel plan where they landed in Australia about a day before the game. Sean McVay might be an offensive genius, but he should really let someone else make the travel plans from now on. Against the Giants, they looked much better, yet still weren’t overly impressive to start. Beating up on a New York team minus its starting quarterback for most of the game wasn’t overly impressive. However, a win’s a win, and with how this team’s been so far this season, they must take what they can get. Then against the Broncos, they just blew it. Special teams was part of the reason Denver managed to come back from a 16-0 first half deficit. The defense also didn’t do itself any favors. While there were some questionable calls down the stretch, it never should’ve come down to needing to hold off a miracle comeback when the Broncos were outplayed for much of the game.
And the injuries have been bad too, which is a shame, considering the team was mostly healthy last season. Puka Nacua has already missed more games in the first three weeks than he did all of last season. Myles Garrett hasn’t played since the opener and is unlikely to play for a few more games. New cornerback Jaylen Watson suffered an injury in Sunday’s game but is expected to return soon. Overall, the nagging injuries have been the most frustrating part about this season. All the new pieces need time to gel, yet they haven’t been on the field long enough for that to happen. At full strength, this should be a very, very good team. I’m just unsure whether we’ll see this team reach its potential with how things are going.
2 – What’s going on with the Puka Nacua injury situation? Will he play in this game? And what’s the impact if he does or doesn’t?
Puka Nacua suffered a hip injury in practice leading up to the Giants game and has missed the last two matchups. Fortunately for the Rams, it’s not a long-term injury, but enough to warrant caution. I expect Nacua won’t play again for at least this game. He could potentially be a game-time decision, but for any of you who have him in fantasy, I would hold off starting him this week.
If Puka manages to play, he’ll take the load off an already thin group of pass catchers. This Rams team lacks quality depth at wide receiver, even after trading back for star Tutu Atwell (LOL). So having him back would be exactly the break the offense has needed. Now, assuming he’s out again this week, all the pressure again lies on Davante Adams, who has filled in admirably in Nacua’s absence. Adams has recorded 15 catches for 332 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants and Broncos. However, given his age and overall production since coming to LA, that’s not sustainable. Someone else needs to step up. Against New York in Week 2, tight end Terrance Ferguson also had a good game, but he might miss this week due to an ankle injury. Very slim pickings indeed, but simply put, someone other than Adams must find a way to be productive.
3 – How has Aaron Donald looked since returning?
Truthfully (and I really hope he isn’t reading this), Aaron Donald should’ve stayed retired. He is clearly not the Donald of old. It’s not like he’s played poorly. He’s mostly been a non-factor and has been hovering around below-average production since his return.
In his first game against the Giants, there were flashes of his former self. It was clear that whatever work he was putting in to stay in shape had paid off, since he showed his freakish speed and athleticism, despite not stuffing the stat sheet. Overall, it wasn’t the wisest move coming back, and the Denver game was a good example of that. Getting pancaked by Broncos lineman Quinn Meinerz partially proves that. Donald ranks 79th out of 91 qualified defensive linemen in pressure rate at 4.8% and has registered only two pressures out of 42 pass rush snaps. That’s not great at all and definitely not what fans were hoping to see from his second act.
I’ve been iffy on Donald’s return ever since it was announced. It’s not like his legacy is on the line or anything; that has never been in question. I just found it hard to believe he could be effective after being out of the NFL for two years. So far, I’ve been proven right, though I don’t feel good about it. That’s what happens when you take too long to make a decision and skip all of training camp. Absolutely no one in their right mind expected DPOY results from him right out of the gate, and maybe he’ll improve slightly once Garrett returns, but that’s doubtful. It’s still somewhat frustrating seeing him back, as he went out on top by earning first-team All-Pro honors in what was supposed to be his final season in 2023. Sometimes when retired greats feel the itch to play again, it’s best not to scratch. With how this season’s gone, Donald would’ve been better off letting the itch nag him for a bit until it ultimately disappears.
4 – What’s the biggest matchup in the Rams’ favor and the biggest matchup against their favor?
The defensive line has been horrible and among the most unproductive in the league. Still, I like its chances against the Eagles’ offensive line on Sunday. Jalen Hurts has been sacked at least two times in every game this season. LA has just three sacks on the year, so naturally they’re due for a good game at some point. I think it happens against Philadelphia; only I’m not expecting them to be the sack masters they were against the Eagles in the playoffs a couple years ago. Matching their season sack total in this one is a very manageable goal, even if this line stinks to high heaven.
As for the other side, I believe the Eagles’ secondary will have a solid day against the Rams’ wide receivers. Not that it’s a hard thing to envision, since the wideout production is generally Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and everyone else. As mentioned earlier, with Nacua likely out for this one, I don’t see Adams carrying the load for the third straight week, especially in a hostile environment. No other pass catcher should strike fear in Vic Fangio, as the one who does will be on the sideline.
5 – Who wins this game and why? With the Eagles currently listed as three-point home underdogs, what’s your score prediction?
So far this season, I’ve correctly predicted every Rams game. Well, I likely just jinxed myself saying that. Given that the Rams are playing the second of three straight Super Bowl hopefuls, I said that between the Broncos and Eagles road games, LA would lose in Denver and beat Philly. Los Angeles is long overdue for a win over the Eagles, considering they’re 1-6 against them in the McVay era. Even though the Rams have had some injury concerns this season, I still trust them more than the Eagles right now. I also expect their defense to play much better after giving up 30 second half points to the Broncos. Plus, I feel much better about their chances after Philadelphia’s awful performance Monday night. If Case Keenum can do it, so can Matthew Stafford.
Rams 24, Eagles 19.
