The Los Angeles Rams are searching for their second win of the season, and the team standing in their way has won the last four meetings. The Philadelphia Eagles present a lot of matchup problems for opponents, and even with the team reeling after Monday night's loss to the Chicago Bears, the Rams can't afford to take the Eagles lightly.
Here are five matchups that will decide Sunday's game between the Rams and Eagles.
RG Kevin Dotson vs. DT Jalen Carter
This is good on good in the trenches. Dotson is a dominant guard, and Carter is a powerful defensive tackle. These two have squared off in the past, and they'll go at it again on Sunday. The Broncos generated pressure from the interior against Matthew Stafford last week and the Eagles will try to do the same on Sunday afternoon.
For a quarterback who isn't very mobile, pressure up the middle is the best way to disrupt his rhythm.
DB Quentin Lake vs. WR Makai Lemon
DeVonta Smith is dealing with a hamstring injury that could sideline him on Sunday, putting more pressure on the rookie Lemon to step up. He and Dontayvion Wicks will have the tall task of getting open against the Rams' secondary, with Lemon's matchup in the slot being particularly challenging.
Lake has played outstanding football this season and it sure to make things difficult for Lemon this weekend. The Rams need Trent McDuffie outside more with Jaylen Watson injured, so Lake covering the slot will help the Rams' shorthanded secondary immensely.
WR Puka Nacua vs. CB Quinyon Mitchell
Nacua's return comes with a tough matchup against Mitchell, a talented young cornerback for the Eagles. Nacua will move around the formation and line up both outside and in the slot, so he'll see different matchups throughout the game.
No matter who Nacua is facing, whether it's Mitchell, Riq Woolen or Cooper DeJean, he needs to win those one-on-one matchups.
OLB Byron Young vs. RT Lane Johnson
Young has become the Rams' top edge rusher with Myles Garrett out, typically rushing against the right tackle. That puts him in Lane Johnson's territory, making for a difficult matchup on the outside. Young will need to use his speed to get around Johnson, but he also can't go too far upfield and give Jalen Hurts an escape lane through the B-gap.
This game will be about being disciplined as rushers for the Rams' outside linebackers.
LB Nate Landman vs. RB Saquon Barkley
Barkley has looked more like the 2024 version of himself this season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry through three games. He still doesn't have a touchdown and the Rams will try to keep it that way on Sunday. Landman has gotten off to a rough start when it comes to stopping the run, so he needs to improve quickly against the elusive and home run-hitting Barkley.
Last season, Landman helped shut Barkley down, holding him to just 46 yards on 18 carries.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 5 matchups that will decide Rams vs. Eagles in Week 4
