SteveBrown
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Sapp wasn't good against he run so often....while Donald dominates.
Running is 35-40% of the game...so dominating in the run game is very important wen judging/rating a DT.
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Running is 35-40% of the game...so dominating in the run game is very important wen judging/rating a DT.
NateDawg122
Pro Bowler
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Lol, Christian McCaffrey? This won't be no 205 pound mediocre white running back y'all will be facing. Gotta love the reporter laughing after he said that!
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https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-nfl-week-14-preview-eagles-at-rams
NFL Week 14 Preview: Eagles at Rams
BY PFF ANALYSIS TEAM
Offensive lineman Lane Johnson #65 of the Philadelphia Eagles
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
The Philadelphia Eagles visit the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14 of the 2017 NFL season. PFF previews the top player matchups of the game.
PFFELO Ranking: 3
Coverage by: Mike Alessandrini
MATCHUP: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES OFFENSE VS. LOS ANGELES RAMS DEFENSE
T Lane Johnson vs. Edge Robert Quinn – As is seemingly the case every week, Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson will play an important role in determining the success of his offense. Johnson ranks fifth at his position with an 85.1 overall grade in 2017 and is second among active tackles with a 97.3 pass-blocking efficiency.
Over his last four games, the former fourth-overall selection has surrendered just four total pressures while not allowing a sack. He has also been effective in Philadelphia’s top tier run game, with an 82.0 run-block grade this season.
On the opposite side of the field, Robert Quinn is beginning to turn his season around after a rough start on the edge of Wade Phillips’ defense. In his last three games, Quinn has accumulated three sacks and eight stops in run defense. During this time period, the veteran has not missed a tackle, and his 8.4 run-stop percentage ranks second among edge defenders.
G Brandon Brooks vs. DI Michael Brockers – Sticking with clashes in the trenches, Brandon Brooks and Michael Brockers will do battle on the interior in both the pass and run games. Brooks’ 88.2 overall grade currently ranks third among guards, while his 98.0 pass-blocking efficiency grade is tied for first. Philadelphia’s right guard has not allowed a single sack in 460 pass-block snaps this season.
Meanwhile, Brockers is coming off a strong game against the Cardinals last week where he accumulated three total pressures and three stops in run defense. While he may not be the fiercest pass-rusher on Los Angeles’ defensive line, the former first-round pick is fantastic against the run, accumulating 24 stops in 2017. His 12.6 run stop percentage is third best at his position.
WR Alshon Jeffery vs. CB Trumaine Johnson – The Jeffery-Johnson matchup will be an exciting one to watch this week, as it will pit two tall, physical and talented players against each other. Jeffery did not have his best game against Seattle last week. He hauled in four of six targets for 42 yards, with just two yards coming after the catch.
On the season, Carson Wentz has not thrown an interception when targeting his top wideout, earning a 105.3 passer rating (ninth-best mark among receivers).
For the Rams, Johnson is averaging 10 coverage snaps per reception and allowing 1.49 yards per coverage snap. Where this matchup will be particularly interesting is on contested targets. Jeffery is known for his strong hands, catch radius and ability to come down with 50-50 balls.
Johnson is just as good in close quarters, however. Receivers are catching just 16.7 percent of contested targets when matched up with the Rams cornerback this year. This is the best mark in the NFL.
PFFELO Ranking: 6
Coverage by: Mike Cahill
MATCHUP: LOS ANGELES RAMS OFFENSE VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES DEFENSE
QB Jared Goff vs. Eagles Pass Rush – Goff currently owns the sixth-highest passer rating on drop backs under pressure since Week 8 with an 88.8. In that same time, Goff is one of only two quarterbacks to have at least four touchdowns and zero interceptions under pressure, the other being Carson Wentz.
With the Eagles defense generating pressure at the highest rate in the league (42 percent of pass plays) and the most pressures overall (285), Goff will be tested on his ability to get the ball out and make quick decisions. Two of the Rams’ losses this season have come in games where Goff has been pressured on 36 percent or more of his drop backs, making his performance under pressure all the more important.
WR Sammy Watkins vs. CB Ronald Darby – In the two games without wide receiver Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins has been targeted 13 times, taking two of them for touchdowns and owning a passer rating of 92.9 when he is targeted.
With Watkins lining up wide left 79 out of 99 snaps as an outside receiver, he will see a lot of cornerback Ronald Darby. Since returning from injury in Week 11, Darby has allowed the 12th-lowest passer rating into his coverage at 51.0 on 26 targets. He also ranks 22nd in yards allowed per coverage snap with 1.29 on 97 coverage snaps.
RB Todd Gurley vs. LB Mychal Kendricks – Through the first 12 weeks of the season, linebacker Mychal Kendricks had allowed the 14th-lowest passer rating against with his 85.8 on 53 targets, by way of zero touchdowns and three passes defended. His Week 12 matchup against the Seahawks saw him give up five receptions on six targets for 63 yards and the first touchdown in his coverage (a running back) for a passer rating of 150.0.
The Rams will be wise to exploit this as well, seeing as how Gurley is second among running backs in receptions yards with 563, second in missed tackles after the catch with 13, and is averaging the fourth highest yards gained per route run with 1.90 on 297 snaps in route.
Not to mention he was the most targeted Rams player in Week 12, causing him to be the only running back to average over 4.00 yards per route run with his 4.20 on 20 snaps in route, also gaining a first down on a third of his targets.
NFL Week 14 Preview: Eagles at Rams
BY PFF ANALYSIS TEAM
Offensive lineman Lane Johnson #65 of the Philadelphia Eagles
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
The Philadelphia Eagles visit the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14 of the 2017 NFL season. PFF previews the top player matchups of the game.
PFFELO Ranking: 3
Coverage by: Mike Alessandrini
MATCHUP: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES OFFENSE VS. LOS ANGELES RAMS DEFENSE
T Lane Johnson vs. Edge Robert Quinn – As is seemingly the case every week, Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson will play an important role in determining the success of his offense. Johnson ranks fifth at his position with an 85.1 overall grade in 2017 and is second among active tackles with a 97.3 pass-blocking efficiency.
Over his last four games, the former fourth-overall selection has surrendered just four total pressures while not allowing a sack. He has also been effective in Philadelphia’s top tier run game, with an 82.0 run-block grade this season.
On the opposite side of the field, Robert Quinn is beginning to turn his season around after a rough start on the edge of Wade Phillips’ defense. In his last three games, Quinn has accumulated three sacks and eight stops in run defense. During this time period, the veteran has not missed a tackle, and his 8.4 run-stop percentage ranks second among edge defenders.
G Brandon Brooks vs. DI Michael Brockers – Sticking with clashes in the trenches, Brandon Brooks and Michael Brockers will do battle on the interior in both the pass and run games. Brooks’ 88.2 overall grade currently ranks third among guards, while his 98.0 pass-blocking efficiency grade is tied for first. Philadelphia’s right guard has not allowed a single sack in 460 pass-block snaps this season.
Meanwhile, Brockers is coming off a strong game against the Cardinals last week where he accumulated three total pressures and three stops in run defense. While he may not be the fiercest pass-rusher on Los Angeles’ defensive line, the former first-round pick is fantastic against the run, accumulating 24 stops in 2017. His 12.6 run stop percentage is third best at his position.
WR Alshon Jeffery vs. CB Trumaine Johnson – The Jeffery-Johnson matchup will be an exciting one to watch this week, as it will pit two tall, physical and talented players against each other. Jeffery did not have his best game against Seattle last week. He hauled in four of six targets for 42 yards, with just two yards coming after the catch.
On the season, Carson Wentz has not thrown an interception when targeting his top wideout, earning a 105.3 passer rating (ninth-best mark among receivers).
For the Rams, Johnson is averaging 10 coverage snaps per reception and allowing 1.49 yards per coverage snap. Where this matchup will be particularly interesting is on contested targets. Jeffery is known for his strong hands, catch radius and ability to come down with 50-50 balls.
Johnson is just as good in close quarters, however. Receivers are catching just 16.7 percent of contested targets when matched up with the Rams cornerback this year. This is the best mark in the NFL.
PFFELO Ranking: 6
Coverage by: Mike Cahill
MATCHUP: LOS ANGELES RAMS OFFENSE VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES DEFENSE
QB Jared Goff vs. Eagles Pass Rush – Goff currently owns the sixth-highest passer rating on drop backs under pressure since Week 8 with an 88.8. In that same time, Goff is one of only two quarterbacks to have at least four touchdowns and zero interceptions under pressure, the other being Carson Wentz.
With the Eagles defense generating pressure at the highest rate in the league (42 percent of pass plays) and the most pressures overall (285), Goff will be tested on his ability to get the ball out and make quick decisions. Two of the Rams’ losses this season have come in games where Goff has been pressured on 36 percent or more of his drop backs, making his performance under pressure all the more important.
WR Sammy Watkins vs. CB Ronald Darby – In the two games without wide receiver Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins has been targeted 13 times, taking two of them for touchdowns and owning a passer rating of 92.9 when he is targeted.
With Watkins lining up wide left 79 out of 99 snaps as an outside receiver, he will see a lot of cornerback Ronald Darby. Since returning from injury in Week 11, Darby has allowed the 12th-lowest passer rating into his coverage at 51.0 on 26 targets. He also ranks 22nd in yards allowed per coverage snap with 1.29 on 97 coverage snaps.
RB Todd Gurley vs. LB Mychal Kendricks – Through the first 12 weeks of the season, linebacker Mychal Kendricks had allowed the 14th-lowest passer rating against with his 85.8 on 53 targets, by way of zero touchdowns and three passes defended. His Week 12 matchup against the Seahawks saw him give up five receptions on six targets for 63 yards and the first touchdown in his coverage (a running back) for a passer rating of 150.0.
The Rams will be wise to exploit this as well, seeing as how Gurley is second among running backs in receptions yards with 563, second in missed tackles after the catch with 13, and is averaging the fourth highest yards gained per route run with 1.90 on 297 snaps in route.
Not to mention he was the most targeted Rams player in Week 12, causing him to be the only running back to average over 4.00 yards per route run with his 4.20 on 20 snaps in route, also gaining a first down on a third of his targets.
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http://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-vs-rams-five-matchups-watch/
Eagles vs. Rams: Five matchups to watch
BY JIMMY KEMPSKI
PhillyVoice Staff
ALEX GALLARDO/AP
After the Seahawks handed them their first loss since Week 2 last Sunday, the 10-2 Philadelphia Eagles traveled south from Seattle to Los Angeles, where they will take on another formidable opponent in the Rams.
Here are five matchups to watch.
1) The Eagles' run defense vs. Todd Gurley
Gurley is second in the NFL in rushing, as he has 223 carries for 939 yards and 8 TDs. Here is an updated look at the Eagles' top-ranked run defense and their success against opposing running backs:
187 Rushes/561 yds/3.0 ypc/3 td's
That is a strength-on-strength matchup. To note, Gurley can do more than just beat you on the ground. He has also been productive as a receiver. He has 48 catches for 563 yards and 3 TDs, with a whopping 10 receptions of 20-plus yards.
"He's a big back, but he picks and chooses his holes," said Jim Schwartz. "He can run downhill, but he also has some Le'Veon Bell in him when it comes to picking his way through. [He’s the] second-leading rusher in the NFL, but he's been very productive in the passing game.
I think that's something that went unnoticed from me until we really started diving into the film. He's averaging double digits in average per reception. For a running back, that's pretty impressive. So it's not just the run game, it's the pass game also."
On the negative side, Gurley leads all NFL running backs in fumbles, with five. The Eagles' defense should be mindful of trying to strip the ball away from him.
2) The Eagles' defense vs. Jared Goff (and Sean McVay in his helmet radio)
The Rams use what has been described as an 'ingenious strategy' on offense, in which head coach Sean McVay relays audibles into the headset of Jared Goff prior to the snap, who then makes the checks at the line and executes the play. Coaches have radio connection with the quarterback until there are 15 seconds left on the play clock, at which point the quarterback is on his own.
This is not 'ingenious' or uncommon at all in the NFL.
"A lot of quarterbacks do that," said Schwartz. "In college, it's a little more look to the sideline. Honestly, for him, it's a little more listen to what coach says. Now, that's not unique to what the Rams do. There are a lot of teams that use pre-snap reads and keys to try to change plays at the last minute. You do have a 15-second cutoff, so you can't take it down too far. Pretty much everybody does it. Defenses do the same thing."
Still, while perhaps not uncommon, it is effective, and something that the Eagles have to be mindful of. The Rams get up to the line quickly so that they can maximize their radio time communication.
"I don't want to go too much at it," said Schwartz, when asked how to defend it. "I don't want to go too much into our operation when it comes to those things. But there are ways that we can combat that kind of audible system."
While Schwartz did not want to give away strategy, clearly the Eagles will try not to give away what defense they are in too early.
"We have to hold our load a little bit," said Brandon Graham.
The Eagles will indeed have to hold their load.
3) The Eagles' secondary vs. the Rams' diversified passing attack
Like the Seahawks last Sunday, the Rams don't have that one star receiver, but they have a group of guys who can all beat you. On the season, the Rams have four players with at least 500 receiving yards.
The Eagles' secondary will have their hands full across the board on Sunday.
4) The Eagles' interior offensive line vs. Aaron Donald
The Eagles' interior offensive line has been excellent all season long. They will face their biggest challenge of the season in Aaron Donald on Sunday.
Only in his fourth season, Donald already has 36 career sacks from his DT spot, and was First-team All-Pro in each of the last two seasons. He'll easily earn his third straight All-Pro nod in 2017, as he already has 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
At 6'0, Donald does not have prototypical size for a DT, but he uses the combination of his smaller stature, incredible quickness, active hands, and a polished assortment of pass rush moves to his advantage. In my view, he is the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL.
5) The Eagles' rushing attack vs. the Rams' rush defense
The Rams' biggest weakness is probably their run defense. On the season, here is where the Rams rank in some key run defense stats:
Rush yards per game: 122.8/Ranked 27th
Rush yards per attempt: 4.7/Ranked 30th
Rush TD's allowed: 12/t-27th
20+ yard runs: 12/t-29th
40+ yard runs allowed: 4/t-30th
The Eagles should look to their run game early and often to get their offense back on track after a down game last week.
------------
To quiet the "Eagles have an easy schedule narrative":
Eagles 10-2 = 7-0 against teams below .500 - 17.42 average points won by
Vikings 10-2 = 5-0 against teams below .500 - 11.60 average points won by
Patriots 10-2 = 6-0 against teams below .500 - 13.00 average points won by
Steelers 10-2 = 5-1 against teams below .500 - 3.50 average points won by
Rams 9-3 = 6-1 against teams below .500 - 20.14 average points won by
Saints 9-3 = 5-0 against teams below .500 - 12.00 average points won by
All teams already played 5-7 games against teams below .500, Rams and Eagles playing 7. Rams lost to Washington, but both teams have an average win different of 17 and 20 points. Yet no one questions the Steelers and Patriots schedules who have played just one less below .500 team and average a much lower points won by average.
The Steelers, Patriots, Saints, Eagles, all have 2 games remaining against teams that are below .500. The Vikings have 3 games remaining against teams that are below .500. The Rams have 1. This just shows that the Eagles schedule isn't any easier then any of these other teams, maybe by 1 extra game. Regardless, that average points won by shows that they are not squeaking by, they are stepping on these under .500 teams necks unlike a team like the Steelers.
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I hate this "Easy Schedule" crap. The tough teams the Eagles are having to play are ALL on the road.
@ Carolina (on a Thursday)
@ Seattle
@ LA Rams
@ Kansas City (yes they were a good team)
@ LA Chargers (yes they ARE a good team, even if their Stadium isn't)
That is a TOUGH road schedule.
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I feel like Our biggest threat is Gurley out of the backfield. I feel we can confuse Goff and hold up the run game. Should be close but I believe we pull it out. AJ needs to start earning that #1 money and start abusing fools.
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If we line MK up on Gurley, he's going to destroy us.
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little ive seen of Goff, he looks like a unseasoned Cousins. if he can stand there and pat the ball, he'll carve you up. get pressure on him and he'll make mistakes.
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Goff is absolutely terrible when pressured, but he just hasn't been pressured consistently at all this year. He gets extremely rattled when pressured, and it has a lot to do with his small frame. If you can get some good shots on him early, he'll start bracing for hits that are 10-12 feet away from him.
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Barnett needs to plant him some. Get Graham inside and crush him
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think Rams live and die by the time Goff has to throw. if Eagles get usual pressure, im thinking we'll be fine.
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I hope the Eagles come out and just physically take it to the Rams. I feel like that would be the best way to bounce back from last Sunday. Maybe i'm off base, but the Rams seem "soft," it would be great to see the Eagles punish them with inside runs and have the defense really take it to their OL. The Eagles should be able to push this team around.
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RG is weak link. Don't think they have seen a pair of DT as good as ours
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Gotta stop Gurley. If the Rams control the pace, this could get out of hand.
Plus, their defense shouldn't be overlooked.
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Aaron Donald is a game wrecker.
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Also interesting to note that while they've got a poor run defense, their scoring defense is ranked 7th in the league. So it seems like they give up yards between the 20s, but keep opponents out of the end zone. Will be interesting to see how this works.
Also curious because they beat a top ranked offense in New Orleans 2 weeks ago.
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Rams killed them in TOP. 35:26 to 24:34.
They ran 73 plays to the Saints 52.
Brees 22/32. 246 yrds. 1TD. 0Int.
Kamara 5 carries. 87 yrds. 1TD.
Ingram 11 carries. 31 yrds. 0TD.
Kamara 6 catches. 101 yrds. 1TD.
Ginn. 7 catches. 71 yrds.
Thomas 5 catches 52 yrds.
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And most of Kamara's run yards were on a 72 yard TD run early on.
Can not sleep on these guys.
Eagles vs. Rams: Five matchups to watch
BY JIMMY KEMPSKI
PhillyVoice Staff
ALEX GALLARDO/AP
After the Seahawks handed them their first loss since Week 2 last Sunday, the 10-2 Philadelphia Eagles traveled south from Seattle to Los Angeles, where they will take on another formidable opponent in the Rams.
Here are five matchups to watch.
1) The Eagles' run defense vs. Todd Gurley
Gurley is second in the NFL in rushing, as he has 223 carries for 939 yards and 8 TDs. Here is an updated look at the Eagles' top-ranked run defense and their success against opposing running backs:
187 Rushes/561 yds/3.0 ypc/3 td's
That is a strength-on-strength matchup. To note, Gurley can do more than just beat you on the ground. He has also been productive as a receiver. He has 48 catches for 563 yards and 3 TDs, with a whopping 10 receptions of 20-plus yards.
"He's a big back, but he picks and chooses his holes," said Jim Schwartz. "He can run downhill, but he also has some Le'Veon Bell in him when it comes to picking his way through. [He’s the] second-leading rusher in the NFL, but he's been very productive in the passing game.
I think that's something that went unnoticed from me until we really started diving into the film. He's averaging double digits in average per reception. For a running back, that's pretty impressive. So it's not just the run game, it's the pass game also."
On the negative side, Gurley leads all NFL running backs in fumbles, with five. The Eagles' defense should be mindful of trying to strip the ball away from him.
2) The Eagles' defense vs. Jared Goff (and Sean McVay in his helmet radio)
The Rams use what has been described as an 'ingenious strategy' on offense, in which head coach Sean McVay relays audibles into the headset of Jared Goff prior to the snap, who then makes the checks at the line and executes the play. Coaches have radio connection with the quarterback until there are 15 seconds left on the play clock, at which point the quarterback is on his own.
This is not 'ingenious' or uncommon at all in the NFL.
"A lot of quarterbacks do that," said Schwartz. "In college, it's a little more look to the sideline. Honestly, for him, it's a little more listen to what coach says. Now, that's not unique to what the Rams do. There are a lot of teams that use pre-snap reads and keys to try to change plays at the last minute. You do have a 15-second cutoff, so you can't take it down too far. Pretty much everybody does it. Defenses do the same thing."
Still, while perhaps not uncommon, it is effective, and something that the Eagles have to be mindful of. The Rams get up to the line quickly so that they can maximize their radio time communication.
"I don't want to go too much at it," said Schwartz, when asked how to defend it. "I don't want to go too much into our operation when it comes to those things. But there are ways that we can combat that kind of audible system."
While Schwartz did not want to give away strategy, clearly the Eagles will try not to give away what defense they are in too early.
"We have to hold our load a little bit," said Brandon Graham.
The Eagles will indeed have to hold their load.
3) The Eagles' secondary vs. the Rams' diversified passing attack
Like the Seahawks last Sunday, the Rams don't have that one star receiver, but they have a group of guys who can all beat you. On the season, the Rams have four players with at least 500 receiving yards.
The Eagles' secondary will have their hands full across the board on Sunday.
4) The Eagles' interior offensive line vs. Aaron Donald
The Eagles' interior offensive line has been excellent all season long. They will face their biggest challenge of the season in Aaron Donald on Sunday.
Only in his fourth season, Donald already has 36 career sacks from his DT spot, and was First-team All-Pro in each of the last two seasons. He'll easily earn his third straight All-Pro nod in 2017, as he already has 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
At 6'0, Donald does not have prototypical size for a DT, but he uses the combination of his smaller stature, incredible quickness, active hands, and a polished assortment of pass rush moves to his advantage. In my view, he is the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL.
5) The Eagles' rushing attack vs. the Rams' rush defense
The Rams' biggest weakness is probably their run defense. On the season, here is where the Rams rank in some key run defense stats:
Rush yards per game: 122.8/Ranked 27th
Rush yards per attempt: 4.7/Ranked 30th
Rush TD's allowed: 12/t-27th
20+ yard runs: 12/t-29th
40+ yard runs allowed: 4/t-30th
The Eagles should look to their run game early and often to get their offense back on track after a down game last week.
------------
To quiet the "Eagles have an easy schedule narrative":
Eagles 10-2 = 7-0 against teams below .500 - 17.42 average points won by
Vikings 10-2 = 5-0 against teams below .500 - 11.60 average points won by
Patriots 10-2 = 6-0 against teams below .500 - 13.00 average points won by
Steelers 10-2 = 5-1 against teams below .500 - 3.50 average points won by
Rams 9-3 = 6-1 against teams below .500 - 20.14 average points won by
Saints 9-3 = 5-0 against teams below .500 - 12.00 average points won by
All teams already played 5-7 games against teams below .500, Rams and Eagles playing 7. Rams lost to Washington, but both teams have an average win different of 17 and 20 points. Yet no one questions the Steelers and Patriots schedules who have played just one less below .500 team and average a much lower points won by average.
The Steelers, Patriots, Saints, Eagles, all have 2 games remaining against teams that are below .500. The Vikings have 3 games remaining against teams that are below .500. The Rams have 1. This just shows that the Eagles schedule isn't any easier then any of these other teams, maybe by 1 extra game. Regardless, that average points won by shows that they are not squeaking by, they are stepping on these under .500 teams necks unlike a team like the Steelers.
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I hate this "Easy Schedule" crap. The tough teams the Eagles are having to play are ALL on the road.
@ Carolina (on a Thursday)
@ Seattle
@ LA Rams
@ Kansas City (yes they were a good team)
@ LA Chargers (yes they ARE a good team, even if their Stadium isn't)
That is a TOUGH road schedule.
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I feel like Our biggest threat is Gurley out of the backfield. I feel we can confuse Goff and hold up the run game. Should be close but I believe we pull it out. AJ needs to start earning that #1 money and start abusing fools.
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If we line MK up on Gurley, he's going to destroy us.
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little ive seen of Goff, he looks like a unseasoned Cousins. if he can stand there and pat the ball, he'll carve you up. get pressure on him and he'll make mistakes.
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Goff is absolutely terrible when pressured, but he just hasn't been pressured consistently at all this year. He gets extremely rattled when pressured, and it has a lot to do with his small frame. If you can get some good shots on him early, he'll start bracing for hits that are 10-12 feet away from him.
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Barnett needs to plant him some. Get Graham inside and crush him
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think Rams live and die by the time Goff has to throw. if Eagles get usual pressure, im thinking we'll be fine.
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I hope the Eagles come out and just physically take it to the Rams. I feel like that would be the best way to bounce back from last Sunday. Maybe i'm off base, but the Rams seem "soft," it would be great to see the Eagles punish them with inside runs and have the defense really take it to their OL. The Eagles should be able to push this team around.
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RG is weak link. Don't think they have seen a pair of DT as good as ours
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Gotta stop Gurley. If the Rams control the pace, this could get out of hand.
Plus, their defense shouldn't be overlooked.
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Aaron Donald is a game wrecker.
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Also interesting to note that while they've got a poor run defense, their scoring defense is ranked 7th in the league. So it seems like they give up yards between the 20s, but keep opponents out of the end zone. Will be interesting to see how this works.
Also curious because they beat a top ranked offense in New Orleans 2 weeks ago.
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Rams killed them in TOP. 35:26 to 24:34.
They ran 73 plays to the Saints 52.
Brees 22/32. 246 yrds. 1TD. 0Int.
Kamara 5 carries. 87 yrds. 1TD.
Ingram 11 carries. 31 yrds. 0TD.
Kamara 6 catches. 101 yrds. 1TD.
Ginn. 7 catches. 71 yrds.
Thomas 5 catches 52 yrds.
-----------
And most of Kamara's run yards were on a 72 yard TD run early on.
Can not sleep on these guys.
Zero
Pro Bowler
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Hey Wentz,This how you throw a screen pass under pressure.
#SuckItWentz #OneFreshBootUpYourAssSunday
#SuckItWentz #OneFreshBootUpYourAssSunday
Ram65
Legend
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I said before I don't like Gargano. I went to ESPN today and heard an interview with the man Jared Goff. It was just after 6 AM west coast time. Goff was Goff always giving props to Gurley and McVay. The FAN JOCs are taking the Rams lightly. Never wish hurt on any players.......
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haha, what?
why do people talk shit when they have no idea what they're talking about?
.
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Was listening to DeCamara and Ritchie during lunch... one of the topics was the accuracy of Wentz. These guys were very objective... said it's a real concern. Wentz is 26th in the league in completion percentage at 60.7%. They ran a poll and, remarkably, like 48% of the fans also said it is a concern.
Steve808
Pro Bowler
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Let the Eagles fans pop off all they want. The Rams will do their talking on the field this Sunday.
yrba1
Mild-mannered Rams fan
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http://www.philly.com/philly/sports...ame-after-loss-seattle-seahawks-20171204.html
Why Rams game is now a must-win for Eagles
by Bob Ford
YONG KIM / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Eagles lost to Seattle on Sunday night, a loss in large part of their own making, and while the sky isn’t falling now, there are an awful lot more clouds in it than there were before.
Nothing about the quick building project that blossomed into a 10-1 start has been altered. The Eagles are still a very good team, and this group that is coming together will probably make it to a Super Bowl before it comes apart again. What has changed, however, is the previously growing expectation that the arrival would be this season.
It still could be, but now the margin for error that separates them from three other teams fighting for postseason seeding in the NFC has been sliced to nearly nothing. The Eagles could win the championship without a first-round bye or home-field advantage for most or all of the conference playoffs, but Sunday’s game was a reminder that the road to the Super Bowl is usually not the road.
Here’s what has changed since the loss to the Seahawks: This coming Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams is now a must-win.
Not a must-win for the long-term development of the team. Not a must-win for avoiding a total collapse or any nonsense like that. It is a must-win to give themselves a reasonable chance this season for their first title since the final month of the Eisenhower administration.
Their main rival for the top seed in the NFC and home field through the playoffs is the Minnesota Vikings, also at 10-2. The Vikings are seeded ahead of them now on the fourth tiebreaker, which is “strength of victory.” Minnesota will have a tough game Sunday at Carolina, but then close out the schedule with games against Cincinnati (5-6), Green Bay (6-6), and Chicago (3-9).
To finish ahead of the Vikings, the Eagles need to keep pace on conference record, which is their main tiebreaker (both teams are at 8-1 now), or take the lead with a Minnesota loss to the Panthers and a win over the Rams.
Beating Los Angeles, quite obviously, would also push the Rams down the line and put them two games behind the Eagles with three to play (three games behind effectively, since head-to-head would take precedence in a tie). Los Angeles then will finish at Seattle, at Tennessee, and at home against San Francisco. So, Sunday is must-win for the Rams, too, and they know it.
As for the Saints, the Eagles can’t do much about them but hope their two games against the Falcons yield at least one loss. New Orleans also has the Jets and Bucs and a current 7-2 conference record that is behind only the Vikings and Eagles, so one unexpected stumble by the top teams could vault the Saints.
It isn’t as if the Eagles will be bulletproof after the Rams game. They will go on the road against the Giants, which seems like cake, but finish at home against Oakland and Dallas. Should they win those games based on what we’ve seen this season? Sure. Will they? Not if they continue to turn over the ball and commit crucial penalties.
So, yes, Sunday’s game in the ancient Los Angeles Coliseum is a must-win for the Eagles against a hot team whose offense matches theirs stride for stride. They are tied for most points per game at 30.1, and the Rams are in the top five in the NFL for yards per game, yards per play, and yards per pass play. They are in the top 10 for rushing yards per game, net passing yards per game, and fewest interceptions and sacks per pass play.
If the Eagles don’t find a way to beat the Rams, and if New Orleans wins in Atlanta, the Eagles will have gone from the top seed in the conference to fourth in the span of eight days, and not only will home field through the playoffs be a deep long shot, but even getting a first-round bye will be a coin flip.
The matchup with the Rams would be intriguing, regardless. Los Angeles chose Jared Goff over Carson Wentz in the 2016 draft, and that decision looks a lot better this season under head coach Sean McVay than it did last year under Jeff Fisher.
Goff doesn’t have as many touchdown passes as Wentz this year (no one else does, either), but 20 touchdowns and six interceptions aren’t bad in 392 attempts (Wentz has 29 and six in 399 attempts). Goff’s completion percentage is better than Wentz’s (62.2 to 60.7), as is his yards per attempt (8.1 to 7.5), and he has taken fewer sacks (20 to 27).
It’s a really interesting showdown, all other things aside. But there is no putting aside the overall importance of the game. This is the first meeting between the quarterbacks in what might be a decade-long rivalry, but it is also the game that could decide the eventual postseason fate of both their teams.
If the Eagles want to win the Super Bowl this season, or have the best chance to do so, they have to win this game first. Losing isn’t an option.
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There are 4 NFC teams vying for top dog, all within a game or two of each other. And one week can change the standings. Really. LA is a big game. The Eagles want to avoid the momentum shift. The bright side is that we are getting to enjoy meaningful December football games.
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The focus shouldn't be on the #1 seed, it should be on a top 2 seed. The reason this game is a must win is because a loss would likely put us in the 3rd or 4th spot in the playoff seeding. #1 over #2 is a nice bonus, but not critical in playoff path
The difference between 2 and 3 could be
2 - Bye, Home against Rams, Away against Vikes
3 - Home against Seattle, Away against Saints, Away against Vikes
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I wish we could play Minny down the stretch in the regular season. They are a complete team. But not a dominant team. I think we could take them.
But our paths don't cross unless it happens in the playoffs. So you're right. Would be OK to get the 1st round bye and face them later in Minny. Would not be OK to play the extra game and then also have to face them in Minny.
But a couple of the old veteran NFC teams are looking dangerous now for these young upstarts in Minny, Philly and LA. I'm talking about the Hawks
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Whether it is a must win or not, for the first time all year, I actually feel 100% confident that this Eagles team is going to win and win big. I haven't felt this way since Labor Day.
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Both the coach and the QB were overwhelmed. Pederson was awestruck, intimidated by the stage, the situation and the competency gap between him and the HC on the on other sideline. He turtled up in that first half, clearly playing not to lose. He should recover enough that his shortcomings aren't an insurmountable hurdle for his team to overcome.
Wentz has also been prematurely anointed. I've said from preseason that he has a tendency to sail his mid range passes and that would rear it's ugly head in an important game and be costly. He missed Agholor down the right sideline 8 feet over his head and probably changed the game. Stop the MVP talk.
Stop the Super Bowl talk. Stop the nonsensical choreography. This week should be about getting serious. Go to work, play angry and win this Ram's game on Sunday. There should also be a lot of Philly fans in the house out there.
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I look at the Eagles and I see a team that is great when they can build up a 31-3 lead, but they still have trouble when faced with a similar 17-3 deficit like in Seattle. Granted Russell Wilson is miles better than Jacoby Brissett, Brett Hundley or even Andy Dalton, but the fact is, the Steelers this season always...find...a way to win when the odds are stacked against them.
When the Eagles start showing they can overcome some adversity down by 10 or more points, I will feel more confident about their ability to go far in the postseason. I'm sure regularly overcoming deficits are Maalox moments for Steelers fans, but I think it reveals a team's character more than half a dozen blowout wins can like we've seen with the Eagles this season.
If they somehow fall behind the Rams on the road by say...10 to 13 points on Sunday, I am curious to see if this Eagles team has it in their gut to pull off the victory. If they can, then I like their chances to go far a lot better.
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Originally I was coming here to tell off all of you over hyped Eagles fans who have the added benefit of the east coast bias press to shower your team with overblown complements.
Before sunday night I was actually starting to believe that maybe the press were right and there was a team that could actual beat the Patriots. Believe it or not I actually don't hate your team and was hoping that the eagles would actually be able to beat the Patriots.
However after watching the entire game live, recording it and re-watching it. it's become apparent that despite all of adoration the press are giving the Eagles, much of what the though the Eagles were is unfounded.
The Eagles defense is not as good as I was led to believe nor is there offense as unstoppable and that is a major problem. Let me be clear, I am not here to crow about the Seahawks or declare they are all mighty and going to the super bowl or anything like that.
I am a realist and figure they will get bounced in the first two rounds of the playoffs if they make it at all. Instead I only want one thing.
Somebody, anybody but the Patriots to win the super bowl. For that to happen the very best team in the NFC has to go to have even a chance to win.
Alot of what works in the regular season does not work in the super bowl trust me, the hawks have been there and seen first hand as Brady gets away with plays you would not think is possible!
The Falcons tried to out offense the Patriots last year and you saw what happened! So the key really is defense, you have to have the best defense to have a chance against them and right now the Vikings look like they may have that but they have to have a leader and I am not sure if Case Keenum is ready to take that next step?
That's why the Eagles have a chance with Carson Wentz but is he really ready to go toe to toe with Belichick's golden boy with that defense that just gave up 24 points two days ago I'm not sure?
Lets see the Eagles shut down the Rams like the Seahawks already did. Your close Eagles fans, your good, but you need to be great to have a chance against the Patriots.
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We did not even have our top two secondary players *(Sherman, Chancellor) and one of our pro bowl defensive tackles (Avril) and we still beat your sorry team into the ground for the fourth straight time! Sounds like your the guys who need to hold 50 times to win.
You don't deserve the super bowl when you don't even know how to play sound defense, the last touchdown we got on you made your sorry bunch of windbags look stupid on national TV. Hope you lose two more games so we can run over you again in the playoffs!
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The secret is to win the super bowl before the QB's rookie contract expires, if you can use that money to get the best defense possible and build around the quarterback then the eagles could win the super bowl, but the eagles need to be smart with their personnel and get the most bang for there buck before the star quarterbacks contract is up.
Afterwards you will have to pay your QB big bucks and that will hurt you in trying to keep your talent and team together, So if the eagles are going to win it they have to do it before the eagles have to pay Wentz top dollar.
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https://twitter.com/i/web/status/938869690679681026
Why Rams game is now a must-win for Eagles
by Bob Ford
YONG KIM / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Eagles lost to Seattle on Sunday night, a loss in large part of their own making, and while the sky isn’t falling now, there are an awful lot more clouds in it than there were before.
Nothing about the quick building project that blossomed into a 10-1 start has been altered. The Eagles are still a very good team, and this group that is coming together will probably make it to a Super Bowl before it comes apart again. What has changed, however, is the previously growing expectation that the arrival would be this season.
It still could be, but now the margin for error that separates them from three other teams fighting for postseason seeding in the NFC has been sliced to nearly nothing. The Eagles could win the championship without a first-round bye or home-field advantage for most or all of the conference playoffs, but Sunday’s game was a reminder that the road to the Super Bowl is usually not the road.
Here’s what has changed since the loss to the Seahawks: This coming Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams is now a must-win.
Not a must-win for the long-term development of the team. Not a must-win for avoiding a total collapse or any nonsense like that. It is a must-win to give themselves a reasonable chance this season for their first title since the final month of the Eisenhower administration.
Their main rival for the top seed in the NFC and home field through the playoffs is the Minnesota Vikings, also at 10-2. The Vikings are seeded ahead of them now on the fourth tiebreaker, which is “strength of victory.” Minnesota will have a tough game Sunday at Carolina, but then close out the schedule with games against Cincinnati (5-6), Green Bay (6-6), and Chicago (3-9).
To finish ahead of the Vikings, the Eagles need to keep pace on conference record, which is their main tiebreaker (both teams are at 8-1 now), or take the lead with a Minnesota loss to the Panthers and a win over the Rams.
Beating Los Angeles, quite obviously, would also push the Rams down the line and put them two games behind the Eagles with three to play (three games behind effectively, since head-to-head would take precedence in a tie). Los Angeles then will finish at Seattle, at Tennessee, and at home against San Francisco. So, Sunday is must-win for the Rams, too, and they know it.
As for the Saints, the Eagles can’t do much about them but hope their two games against the Falcons yield at least one loss. New Orleans also has the Jets and Bucs and a current 7-2 conference record that is behind only the Vikings and Eagles, so one unexpected stumble by the top teams could vault the Saints.
It isn’t as if the Eagles will be bulletproof after the Rams game. They will go on the road against the Giants, which seems like cake, but finish at home against Oakland and Dallas. Should they win those games based on what we’ve seen this season? Sure. Will they? Not if they continue to turn over the ball and commit crucial penalties.
So, yes, Sunday’s game in the ancient Los Angeles Coliseum is a must-win for the Eagles against a hot team whose offense matches theirs stride for stride. They are tied for most points per game at 30.1, and the Rams are in the top five in the NFL for yards per game, yards per play, and yards per pass play. They are in the top 10 for rushing yards per game, net passing yards per game, and fewest interceptions and sacks per pass play.
If the Eagles don’t find a way to beat the Rams, and if New Orleans wins in Atlanta, the Eagles will have gone from the top seed in the conference to fourth in the span of eight days, and not only will home field through the playoffs be a deep long shot, but even getting a first-round bye will be a coin flip.
The matchup with the Rams would be intriguing, regardless. Los Angeles chose Jared Goff over Carson Wentz in the 2016 draft, and that decision looks a lot better this season under head coach Sean McVay than it did last year under Jeff Fisher.
Goff doesn’t have as many touchdown passes as Wentz this year (no one else does, either), but 20 touchdowns and six interceptions aren’t bad in 392 attempts (Wentz has 29 and six in 399 attempts). Goff’s completion percentage is better than Wentz’s (62.2 to 60.7), as is his yards per attempt (8.1 to 7.5), and he has taken fewer sacks (20 to 27).
It’s a really interesting showdown, all other things aside. But there is no putting aside the overall importance of the game. This is the first meeting between the quarterbacks in what might be a decade-long rivalry, but it is also the game that could decide the eventual postseason fate of both their teams.
If the Eagles want to win the Super Bowl this season, or have the best chance to do so, they have to win this game first. Losing isn’t an option.
------------
There are 4 NFC teams vying for top dog, all within a game or two of each other. And one week can change the standings. Really. LA is a big game. The Eagles want to avoid the momentum shift. The bright side is that we are getting to enjoy meaningful December football games.
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The focus shouldn't be on the #1 seed, it should be on a top 2 seed. The reason this game is a must win is because a loss would likely put us in the 3rd or 4th spot in the playoff seeding. #1 over #2 is a nice bonus, but not critical in playoff path
The difference between 2 and 3 could be
2 - Bye, Home against Rams, Away against Vikes
3 - Home against Seattle, Away against Saints, Away against Vikes
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I wish we could play Minny down the stretch in the regular season. They are a complete team. But not a dominant team. I think we could take them.
But our paths don't cross unless it happens in the playoffs. So you're right. Would be OK to get the 1st round bye and face them later in Minny. Would not be OK to play the extra game and then also have to face them in Minny.
But a couple of the old veteran NFC teams are looking dangerous now for these young upstarts in Minny, Philly and LA. I'm talking about the Hawks
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Whether it is a must win or not, for the first time all year, I actually feel 100% confident that this Eagles team is going to win and win big. I haven't felt this way since Labor Day.
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Both the coach and the QB were overwhelmed. Pederson was awestruck, intimidated by the stage, the situation and the competency gap between him and the HC on the on other sideline. He turtled up in that first half, clearly playing not to lose. He should recover enough that his shortcomings aren't an insurmountable hurdle for his team to overcome.
Wentz has also been prematurely anointed. I've said from preseason that he has a tendency to sail his mid range passes and that would rear it's ugly head in an important game and be costly. He missed Agholor down the right sideline 8 feet over his head and probably changed the game. Stop the MVP talk.
Stop the Super Bowl talk. Stop the nonsensical choreography. This week should be about getting serious. Go to work, play angry and win this Ram's game on Sunday. There should also be a lot of Philly fans in the house out there.
---------
I look at the Eagles and I see a team that is great when they can build up a 31-3 lead, but they still have trouble when faced with a similar 17-3 deficit like in Seattle. Granted Russell Wilson is miles better than Jacoby Brissett, Brett Hundley or even Andy Dalton, but the fact is, the Steelers this season always...find...a way to win when the odds are stacked against them.
When the Eagles start showing they can overcome some adversity down by 10 or more points, I will feel more confident about their ability to go far in the postseason. I'm sure regularly overcoming deficits are Maalox moments for Steelers fans, but I think it reveals a team's character more than half a dozen blowout wins can like we've seen with the Eagles this season.
If they somehow fall behind the Rams on the road by say...10 to 13 points on Sunday, I am curious to see if this Eagles team has it in their gut to pull off the victory. If they can, then I like their chances to go far a lot better.
-----------
Originally I was coming here to tell off all of you over hyped Eagles fans who have the added benefit of the east coast bias press to shower your team with overblown complements.
Before sunday night I was actually starting to believe that maybe the press were right and there was a team that could actual beat the Patriots. Believe it or not I actually don't hate your team and was hoping that the eagles would actually be able to beat the Patriots.
However after watching the entire game live, recording it and re-watching it. it's become apparent that despite all of adoration the press are giving the Eagles, much of what the though the Eagles were is unfounded.
The Eagles defense is not as good as I was led to believe nor is there offense as unstoppable and that is a major problem. Let me be clear, I am not here to crow about the Seahawks or declare they are all mighty and going to the super bowl or anything like that.
I am a realist and figure they will get bounced in the first two rounds of the playoffs if they make it at all. Instead I only want one thing.
Somebody, anybody but the Patriots to win the super bowl. For that to happen the very best team in the NFC has to go to have even a chance to win.
Alot of what works in the regular season does not work in the super bowl trust me, the hawks have been there and seen first hand as Brady gets away with plays you would not think is possible!
The Falcons tried to out offense the Patriots last year and you saw what happened! So the key really is defense, you have to have the best defense to have a chance against them and right now the Vikings look like they may have that but they have to have a leader and I am not sure if Case Keenum is ready to take that next step?
That's why the Eagles have a chance with Carson Wentz but is he really ready to go toe to toe with Belichick's golden boy with that defense that just gave up 24 points two days ago I'm not sure?
Lets see the Eagles shut down the Rams like the Seahawks already did. Your close Eagles fans, your good, but you need to be great to have a chance against the Patriots.
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We did not even have our top two secondary players *(Sherman, Chancellor) and one of our pro bowl defensive tackles (Avril) and we still beat your sorry team into the ground for the fourth straight time! Sounds like your the guys who need to hold 50 times to win.
You don't deserve the super bowl when you don't even know how to play sound defense, the last touchdown we got on you made your sorry bunch of windbags look stupid on national TV. Hope you lose two more games so we can run over you again in the playoffs!
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The secret is to win the super bowl before the QB's rookie contract expires, if you can use that money to get the best defense possible and build around the quarterback then the eagles could win the super bowl, but the eagles need to be smart with their personnel and get the most bang for there buck before the star quarterbacks contract is up.
Afterwards you will have to pay your QB big bucks and that will hurt you in trying to keep your talent and team together, So if the eagles are going to win it they have to do it before the eagles have to pay Wentz top dollar.
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https://twitter.com/i/web/status/938869690679681026
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Zero
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The Eagles have a cool youtube page with some cool pre-game post-game analysis and chalkboard type stuff
with ex players or coaches.So do the Vikings.
Meanwhile all we get is some dopey B.S. from the kid that played in "Everybody Hates Chris", Myles Simmons
We seriously need an upgrade in the quality of Rams coverage.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm1IAhSPSz0
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtHLy9p158U
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTLpDLtUNps&t
with ex players or coaches.So do the Vikings.
Meanwhile all we get is some dopey B.S. from the kid that played in "Everybody Hates Chris", Myles Simmons
We seriously need an upgrade in the quality of Rams coverage.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm1IAhSPSz0
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtHLy9p158U
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTLpDLtUNps&t
nighttrain
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Quinn trending up is absolutely immense for this defense. If that dude can finish strong... Just watch out.
Right now if the Eagles think holding their load closer to the snap is going to boggle Goff, I eagerly await him proving them wrong. They might get him here and there, but I think they're going to discover the kid's for real.