Stopping the Jalen Hurts will be crucial if the Los Angeles Rams are to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in their NFC Divisional Playoff matchup.
The Eagles Pro Bowl quarterback did point out that his position in the scheme varies from week to game, and he thinks his offensive line’s performance against the Rams’ defensive line will determine the outcome of this matchup.
In the Wild Card, LA limited the Minnesota Vikings to their third-lowest total yards of the year.
On January 15, Hurts told reporters, “They’ve always been a great team, and we caught them while they were hot and we’re catching them while they’re hot again.”
“This is a young team with a fantastic coach, quarterback, and players in every position.” Their defense was excellent. Up front, they have been really disruptive. All you have to do is enter and carry out. In a game like this, I believe it begins in the trenches, and we have successfully ran the ball. Therefore, ideally, we will keep enforcing our will up front.
The offensive line of the Eagles is among the greatest in the NFL, if not the best. According to Pro Football Reference, Philadelphia achieved the second-most rushing yards prior to contact in 2024 and gave up the 12th-lowest pressure rate.
For a Rams defense that matched for the fifth-most yards per rush allowed per attempt during the regular season, it is a concerning indicator. The Eagles’ passing game is made easier by Barkley’s rushing.
Hurts remarked, “I don’t believe that he has ever been taken away from a game.” They make an effort. I believe we work well together, and he is an excellent player. Additionally, he has been able to get filthy yards, dirty yards, and eventually he pops one off. As a result, that has contributed significantly to our team’s performance this year, and everyone who has contributed deserves praise for that.
Hurts claimed that Barkley is a “special player” and that what he accomplished this season is “not normal.” In order to put the Eagles into passing situations, the Rams must at least slow him down.
In order to create opportunities against Jalen Hurts and the Eagles passing game, the Rams defense must stop running.
Los Angeles Rams, Jalen Hurts, and Saquon Barkley
Getty
Following their victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles players Saquon Barkley #26 and Jalen Hurts #1 are interviewed.
In 2024, Hurts had the fifth-highest sack rate and the eighth-most sacks. In the Wild Card game against the Vikings, the Rams tied a playoff record with nine sacks.
Hurts minimized how the Eagles will be affected by that performance.
“You don’t consider that,” Hurts remarked. “You’re trying to keep the important thing at the forefront and consider what you can control.” The strategy is to attempt to be the best version of ourselves and to take charge of what we can.
Hurts pointed out how the Rams had changed since their initial meeting with the other squad.
Hurst completed 68.1% of his throws for 179 yards and one score while taking one sack in the Eagles’ 37–20 victory.
In the game, which took place in Los Angeles, Barkley ran for a career-high 255 yards. The Rams’ offense may not be as successful in this game in Philadelphia due to possible bad weather, especially in the throwing game.
Rams must not break, but they may bend.
Los Angeles Rams, Kobie Turner, and Jared Verse
Getty
The Los Angeles Rams’ #91 Kobie Turner and #8 Jared Verse celebrate a sack against the Minnesota Vikings.
If the Rams combine slowing Barkley with the appropriate offensive strategy, that may be sufficient.
When the Eagles were kept below 100 running yards in a game they won over the New York Giants in Week 18 of the 2024 regular season, the Rams were 3-1. Barkley wasn’t involved in the match.
They really had a cutoff point of 125 running yards permitted. When opponents were kept to that many yards or less, they were 8-1; when they were outscored, they were 2-6.
Additionally, the Rams were 3-5 when they didn’t rush for more than 100 yards and 7-1 when they did. They came quite close to strengthening the earlier mark with their 98-yard effort against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3.
Los Angeles has to stop the run, particularly short-yardage jerk Hurts, in order to defeat the Eagles.
