The Rams' primetime clash last Sunday night with the Philadelphia Eagles was a litmus test. The need was threefold. They needed to dominate the trenches, establish the run, and protect Matthew Stafford. On their early drives, there was a glimmer of hope. But as the game unfolded, so did the Rams' vulnerabilities, and after their 37-20 defeat, they were left searching for answers.
For only the second time this season, the Rams' offense scored a touchdown in the first quarter. Stafford connected with his receivers in rhythm, and the offensive line created lanes for running back Kyren Williams. After two promising drives, the Rams led 7-3, and it seemed as though they were ready to meet the moment.
That confidence unraveled on their third possession. On a critical drive, the Rams turned a 2nd-and-four scenario into two consecutive incompletions, forcing a punt. It was the start of three straight three-and-outs, a sequence that underscored the Rams' inability to sustain drives. Winning on early downs proved critical, and Los Angeles averaged a daunting nine yards to go on third downs. They finished a dismal 0-for-8 on third-down conversions, an alarming statistic that underscored their lack of rhythm.
The Rams' success hinged on winning in the trenches. Initially, they held their own. Despite battling a stomach bug earlier in the week, Kevin Dotson anchored the line with the kind of steadiness Sean McVay praised before the game. But the cracks began to show around him.
Right tackle Warren McClendon Jr., filling in for the injured Rob Havenstein, was overwhelmed by Philadelphia's relentless pass rush. In his final game before a season-ending triceps injury, Eagle defensive end Brandon Graham set the tone with a ferocious hand swipe that left McClendon grasping at air as he bulldozed Stafford. Graham wasn't alone. Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick repeatedly exploited mismatches, forcing Stafford into hurried decisions and missed opportunities.
Alaric Jackson, the Rams' left tackle, also struggled. The Eagles' edge defenders exposed his lack of lateral quickness, collapsing the pocket and cutting off running lanes. Without Havenstein's steady presence, the line lacked cohesion, and Stafford took five sacks while enduring ten quarterback hits.
Despite the Rams' heavy focus on double-teaming Eagle defensive tackle Jalen Carter, the strategy backfired. Carter was largely neutralized—just one pressure on 35 pass rushes—but it opened opportunities for others. Josh Sweat and Hasson Reddick thrived in one-on-one matchups, as the Eagles' defensive line imposed its will.
If the Rams' offensive struggles were glaring, their defense fared no better. Saquon Barkley torched them for 255 yards and two touchdowns, the most rushing yards ever allowed to a single player in Rams history. The Eagles' offensive line dominated Rams' smaller defensive front, creating gaping holes for Barkley to exploit.
Rams defensive players Braden Fiske and Jared Verse, so dominant in recent weeks, were overpowered at the point of attack. With his unique blend of power and speed, Barkley exploited missed tackles and poor angles, and he highlighted his night with two long breakaway touchdown runs.
This was more than just an outlier. It was a sobering reminder of the Rams' inconsistency against elite rushing attacks. The Eagles, who rank first in rushing offense and total defense, exposed the Rams' lack of depth and physicality in the trenches.
The Rams' defensive woes extended beyond Barkley's heroics. In key moments, their discipline faltered. Leading 20-14, they had the Eagles at 3rd-and-10, only to commit an offsetting penalty that gave Jalen Hurts another chance. A subsequent screen to Barkley converted for a first down, setting up a touchdown drive.
Later, Tyler Davis of the Rams jumped offsides on 4th-and-one from the Eagles' 18-yard line, handing Philadelphia another chance. The Eagles capitalized with another touchdown, punishing the Rams for their lack of focus.
This game has to serve as a wake-up call for Los Angeles. For all the strides the Rams have made, this performance against the Eagles highlighted how far they still have to go to compete with the league's elite. The offensive line's lack of cohesion without Havenstein, the inability to win on early downs, and the defensive front's struggles against the run all contributed to a long, frustrating night.
Rams Kevin Dotson put it best in his postgame reflection. "We just didn't finish. No matter what the play is, no matter what we call, we need to make it work. We've made the plays before. We need to do it more efficiently."
For Sean McVay and his team, the road ahead is clear. They have to win. If the Rams want to salvage their season, they must get back to the basics. Winning in the trenches, playing disciplined football, and finishing drives. Because in the NFL, as they were reminded on Sunday night, nothing less will do.
On Sunday the Rams travel to New Orleans to face the Saints at 1:05 p.m. on Channel 11.
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