The Los Angeles Rams have emerging questions at the linebacker position as the team looks to overcome some key injuries on defense, including cornerback Jayler Watson and edge rusher Myles Garrett. Which personnel packages and players are utilized will be the difference in the team's matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles enter the game with running back Saquon Barkley. The Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion has burned the Rams in the past; thus, the linebackers need to be on their game this week. According to Pro Football Focus, Omar Speights is listed as a significantly better run defender than captain Nate Landman.
Speights has the second-highest run defense grade among off-ball linebackers, only behind All-Pro
Fred Warner. Speights grades out at 86.5, compared to Warner's 88.4. Landman has the sixth-worst grade at 43.7. He ranks 114th out of 119 linebackers.
Several factors contribute to this, specifically that Speights is often on the field with Landman, whereas Landman features in the dime defense without Speights, a package susceptible to the run. In Week 3, Landman played 59 snaps compared to Speights' 40, so Landman is on the field often without Speights.
PFF grades can also be skewed, but Landman's failure to rank in the top 100 among off-ball linebackers is a major concern. Regardless, the focus on Barkley will be one part of the issue. Quarterback Jalen Hurts' dual-threat ability could place the Rams in a tough spot if Speights and Landman fail to contain him.
Once Hurts gets moving, the entire Eagles offense opens up, and with Watson and Garrett set to miss, Los Angeles will already be playing at a deficit.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' 2 starting LBs have been polar opposites vs. the run this year
