PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles had been riding a six-game winning streak, becoming the main challenger to the Detroit Lions for control of the NFC. Regardless of the schedule, the Eagles have responded to every obstacle thrown their way over the six weeks.
Philadelphia’s next challenge is another team that is one of the NFC’s newest, the Los Angeles Rams, who have won four in their last five games and emerged in the middle of the NFC West race. The Rams are 4-1 since their bye, preparing for their biggest competition of the season with the sectional on the line.
The Rams are 9-4 the last two seasons when Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua play, and all will play on Sunday. DeVonta Smith won’t play in games Sunday night (hamstring), but the Eagles still have 29.6 points per contest with AJ Brown in the lineup (17.3 points per contest out).
Sunday’s matchup is even naughtier with the Eagles and Rams entering the matchup as two of the league’s newest teams. Below is a preview of Sunday night’s matchup.
Eagles vs. Rams where to watch
- Time: Sunday, November 24 | Hour: 8:20 pm Eastern Time
- Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
- TV: NBC | Resident wave: fuboTV (detached effort)
- Practice: CBS Sports App
- NFL Betting Odds: Eagles -3, OU 49 (using BetMGM)
Take a look at the original BetMGM Promo Code to enter the contest.
Eagles go contest without DeVonta Smith
The Eagles will be without Smith on Sunday, as he is still battling a hamstring shock he suffered in Thursday’s latest win over the Washington Commanders. With Smith out of practice this time around, the Eagles’ passing competition will shift to AJ Brown and Jahan Dotson as the top two receivers. There is also a chance for Britain Covey to return, as their 21-day practice window has opened this time. Covey is listed as questionable for the game (and the Eagles used injured reserve running back Bryce Huff to build a roster spot).
If Covey can’t travel, the top three options will be Brown, Dotson and Johnny Wilson.
“They’ve been doing a great job, working hard and making plays, most importantly, when their number is announced,” Brown said Friday of Dotson and Wilson. “Their numbers aren’t called as much, but they’ve been making plays. That’s what you can ask for.”
Since the Eagles returned from their Life 5 timeout, Jalen Hurts has completed 70.2% of his passes for 1,267 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception for a passer rating of 118.1. Not included in those numbers are the nine rushing touchdowns Hurts has in that regard. Hurts ranks fifth in the league in final touch rate, third in passer rating and third in yards per contest (9.7) since Life 6. He is first in the league in rushing/rushing touchdowns with 17.
In fact, this used to be with Smith in the lineup. Without a Smith on Sunday, the Eagles would have to rely on Dotson to become that Refuse. 2 big receivers. The idea is to build with Hurts, but this time it will be tested.
“Trust is growing every day. There are countless representatives that people don’t see,” Dotsons mentioned earlier this week. “Communication off the field. Just building trust between us. So that when Sunday comes he has the confidence in me that I’m going to make the play. That’s pretty much all it entails.”
How the Eagles plan to ban Jared Verse
Verse is one of the contenders for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Generation award, and is arguably the most successful running back in the rookie class today. Verse has an 18.8% power play rate this season, fifth in the NFL among players with more than 100 pass-rushing snaps. His 48 hits are tied for sixth in the league, and his 14 quarterback hits rank in the top 20.
Moment Verse only has 4.5 sacks, he is in a defensive order with standouts Kobie Turner and Byron Young. Verse has been making all the talk about how easily he fits into his role as a running back under Chris Shula.
“He’s edgy. He’s tough,” mentioned the Eagles’ proper version of Lane Johnson, who will face Verse in some reps. “He can beat you with power. He has that, but when you watch him on film, he just has a great, perfect curveball.
“There’s a reason guys like that go to the first round.”
Jordan Mailata referred to Verse as “relentless” when describing their contest. The Rams are fourth in the NFL in power play rate (39.0%), so they will take care of the quarterback. Hurts must finish the ball quickly to make Verse as useless as possible.
Prediction
Not having Smith changes the dynamic of this contest. The Eagles still have Brown in the lineup, but they rate 29.6 points per contest when Brown and Smith both play. They’re also 7-0 when Brown and Smith are in the lineup, and Hurts has a 103.0 passer rating when targeting Smith (but also has three interceptions).
The Eagles still have the Refuse. 1 fast offense in football, year in which the Rams are just 20th in run protection luck rate (60.5%). Philadelphia should rely on Saquon Barkley to develop the passing game and lift the lagging offense, and he’s confirmed through 11 games that he can build around when his number is called. Dotson will also want to become a more consistent ultimatum in the passing contest. (Hurts has a 72.2 passer rating focused on Dotson this season.)
If the protection of the Eagles (Decline. 1 within the league week six weeks) helps continue playing at an elite level, Philadelphia will be tough to beat despite Smith’s absence.
Eagles 29, Carneros 24
