I am obviously excited for every playoff game to bless my eyes this weekend. However, while I believe each game will be incredible in it’s own right, I think that this Eagles vs. Packers game will deliver in a special kind of way. Two teams of a very different caliber will square off for the second NFC Championship spot. We got an Eagles team that loves to thump in the run game and can also make you pay on defense. Then there’s the wise old Rams, who are filled with veterans who have been in this situation before. Some of them having won a Super Bowl as well. A Young versus Old kind of matchup.
The Eagles will be feeling good heading into this week. They just cut through a Packers team, with a better record than the Rams, like butter last week. They did what they needed to do to beat Green Bay. They stopped the run effectively, and cornered Love to force throws in distress, leading to his 3 INTs. Saquon Barkley did his thing, running for 119 yards, and Jalen Hurts had 2 TDs on the day. Ok, here’s where I see the issue. While the Eagles won, and that’s all that really matters, they won against a team that quite literally couldn’t get anything going. All the Eagles needed to do was not mess up and that game was theirs. It was pretty clear within the first few seconds of the game after the opening kickoff was fumbled by the Packers. From there, it was all downhill. They will now take on a Los Angeles team, which like them, has won a Super Bowl in the last few years. Philadelphia will be playing at home again, so they have that in their favor, but they’re going to need a more complete performance if they want to move on. I’d like to see Hurts pass for more than 131 yards this game and maybe let’s get A.J Brown the ball more than once. Obviously, Barkley will be involved, but he can be game planned to a degree. He is a freak of nature than can work around being game planned, but nonetheless, he can still be contained. Somewhat. The Eagles need to start fast again and not let up. They’re not the type of team that is going to come back if they’re down. Couple some good offense with some nice pass defense, and they will be in good shape. But it’s not easy when you’re facing Matthew Stafford, Puca Nacua, and Cooper Kupp.
The Rams are a really interesting team. They were not always destined for the playoffs this year, and just squeaked their way into a division title in the last few games of the season. They absolutely worked the Vikings last week, winning 27-9. Their offense was on. Stafford threw for 200+ yards and 2 TDs, hitting eight different receivers in the process. Their defense forced two turnovers between an interceptions and fumble recovery. They looked like a complete team, that could compete with anyone. They get that chance this week in Philadelphia. The Rams know this team is no scrub. Maybe, just maybe, the Vikings weren’t as good as their record said, (sorry Parcels), but this Eagles team is as good as their record says. Luckily, Los Angeles has been in this position before. As I said previously, a lot of these guys have won a Super Bowl together. They’re not going to crack under pressure. Which is why I think the Rams are going to come into Philadelphia and disrupt the norm. I think the key to the Rams will be playing their game. Not getting overwhelmed by the circumstances, keeping themselves in it always, and executing on all three phases. I like the Rams in a close one, something like 21-17. Of course, if the Eagles get started hot and the Rams can’t match that, the Eagles will take it. But right now, in my gut, I’m saying Los Angeles.
POSTGAME:
Another Eagles game, another Saquon Barkley masterclass. Hard to win when you let the guy run for 205 yards and score 2 TDs. But the Rams must’ve not been paying attention, because right as they are within striking distance of the Eagles, Saquon rips off a 78 yarder for a TD to put the Eagles up two scored late in the fourth quarter. For the Rams, their defense got cut up in the run game, and their receivers were uncharacteristically cold. Puka Nacua had 6 catches on 14 targets. Demarcus Robinson had 3 catches on 7 targets. It was just a bad game for their receiving corps, in a game where they needed to be on. Stafford played alright, throwing for 324 yards on 26/44 passes for 2 TDs. But it just wasn’t enough. Especially, when giving up runs to Barkley like they were. Hard to win that way. But for me, the underlying issue with Eagles remain, and that is that Jalen Hurts is just not that good. Sure, he’s got a plethora of talent and can hand the ball off to Saquon, but the majority of his passes don’t connect. Most of Hurts completions came on balls thrown under 10 yards. Screen passes. The Eagles love them. It’s an extension of the run game, but when you do it as well as the Eagles, why not run it all the time?
I reiterate, if a team is able to stop the Eagles run game, and take away the short passes and runs, forcing Hurts to make long throws, I believe that team will win. Now, if Saquon is the reason the Eagles win the Super Bowl, then so be it. Hats off to them, to Saquon, hell of a season. But this blueprint isn’t viable for long, and if it doesn’t work out this year, it becomes less viable next year. I firmly believe the Commanders have the best shot of beating this team, but it will take the best performance out of the whole team if they want to make that dream a reality. Plus, I might add no rookie QB has won a Super Bowl, let alone even make it to one. Daniels and the Commanders have a chance to rewrite Washington and NFL history.
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