• March 19, 2024

On Paper: Breaking Down Eagles-Rams

johnsonQuarterback

Nick Foles comes off a poor performance against the 49ers. The young quarterback didn’t have any support from the guys around him; the offensive line, running backs, and wide receivers (save Jeremy Maclin) were all non-factors in the dismal offensive showing last week. However, Foles was far from blameless in the defeat, missing some key throws and making a terrible decision on a deep pass that turned into a San Francisco interception. Foles has not been nearly as protective of the football this year as he was last season. Through four games, he’s thrown four picks and lost two fumbles. Its unacceptable for your quarterback to average more than a turnover per game, and Nick needs to get back to making sound decisions with the ball.

With Sam Bradford once again committing another season to the injured reserve list rather than the field, Austin Davis has emerged as the team’s new starting quarterback. Davis has made two starts, and the team has gone 1-1 under him while being very competitive in both games. Davis comes off of a performance where he threw for over 300 yards and three scores against the Dallas Cowboys, but also threw a couple of back-breaking interceptions.

One of Foles’ call-in cards has been his ability to shake off bad performances and bounce back quickly, and I expect him to do just that this week.

Advantage: Eagles

Running Back

Its time for LeSean McCoy to breakout. The pieces are all in place for McCoy to have a big afternoon. The Eagles’ offensive line will be a little better with the return of Lane Johnson, and they get to face a Rams team that has ranked near the bottom of the league in run defense, playing in the run-friendly Wide-Nine front which just begs teams to run early and often.

Zac Stacy is averaging 4.3 yards a carry for the Rams, but has just 181 yards on the ground and one touchdown this year. He hasn’t been seeing as many touches as many expected him to have before the year began. Benny Cunningham has cut into Stacy’s workload a bit, primarily because of his ability as a receiver out of the backfield.

Advantage: Eagles

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Jeremy Maclin continues to have a fantastic start to the season. Last week was the first time he didn’t find his way to the endzone, and he was instrumental on the team’s final drive, without some key receptions from #18, the Eagles would not have even come close to tying the game. Riley Cooper had an opportunity to tie the game last week, but dropped a touchdown pass in the endzone. Cooper continues to disappoint, and should slowly continue to lose opportunities to Jordan Matthews at the rate he’s going. Zach Ertz and Brent Celek have been non-factors the last two weeks, and the Eagles need to find a way to get their tight ends more involved.

The Rams remain without a dynamic receiving weapon. Brian Quick leads with 235 yards and a touchdown, but he’s the only wideout that’s made an impact. Former Titan Kenny Britt has just 86 yards through three games, and first-round pick Tavon Austin hasn’t been impactful. Tight ends Jared Cook and Lance Kendricks have combined for 26 catches, but neither is a player that keeps a defensive coordinator awake at night.

Advantage: Eagles

Offensive Line

The Eagles’ offensive line gets some badly needed help with the return of tackle Lane Johnson. Johnson’s return not only sures up the right tackle spot, but allows Todd Herremans to return to guard and improve the interior of the line. The concern is that Johnson is going to be rusty at first after seeing no game action since August. The Eagles need him to get into gear as quickly as possible.

The Rams offensive line has given up seven sacks in three games, and done a good job supporting the St. Louis running backs, helping the Rams compile an average of over 100 rushing yards per game. Jake Long is the anchor of this group, and in time the Rams hope that top pick Greg Robinson will be just as integral. Its a young, improving group.

Advantage: Rams

Defensive Line

I really like how the Eagles’ starting defensive line has played. Fletcher Cox has made some really nice strides, and Cedric Thornton has made plenty of fine plays of his own. Bennie Logan, while not an ideal nose tackle, has done a good job holding his own. Vinny Curry has just one sack through four games. Brandon Bair and Beau Allen have been playing too many snaps as a result of the Eagles getting dominated in time of possession, and its clear when they’re on the field they’re not up to the same quality as the starting three.

The Rams have been missing the presence of Chris Long, who had 8.5 sacks last year and did a good job supporting the run. They’ve still got top pass rusher Robert Quinn, who was among the league leaders with 19 sacks last year. They have another former first-round pick, Michael Brockers as one of their defensive tackles. Remarkably, St. Louis has recorded just one sack this year.

Advantage: Eagles

Linebackers

Mychal Kendricks looks set to miss his third straight game, and while the Eagles have done a decent job in his absence, there’s no doubt they miss the speed and playmaking ability of Kendricks. Remember when the Eagles talked about limiting the snaps for DeMeco Ryans? With Kendricks out, he’s been forced to play every snap. Emmanuel Acho and Casey Matthews continue to work together to fill the void left by Kendricks. Connor Barwin and Trent Cole helped get the team’s pass rush going last week, with each player getting involved in a couple of sacks.

James Larinaitis and Alec Ogletree are tackling machines, combining for over 200 tackles a year ago. They’re a couple of solid playmakers that help anchor the St. Louis defense. Ogletree is also decent against pass, coming off of a rookie season in which he defended seven passes, and ran an interception back 98 yards for a touchdown.

Advantage: Rams

Secondary

The Eagles have some of their best and worst players in this secondary. Malcolm Jenkins has made interceptions in three straight games, and each one of them have been momentum-altering plays. The bad news is that Jenkins has been one of the only reliable players in the secondary. He’s the only Eagle with an interception so far. Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher have both been up-and-down, while Nate Allen is no better than average on a good day.

The Rams have a very young secondary, with no starter possessing more than two years of experience. Janarois Jenkins is trying to bounce back from a disappointing sophomore season, while Trumaine Johnson and safeties T.J. McDonald and Rodney McLeod are still establishing themselves. The Rams have two picks on the year, one from Jenkins and another from McLeod.

Neither group is noticeably stronger than the other, but I give the edge to the Eagles since the Rams have much more difficult weapons to account for.

Advantage: Eagles

Special Teams

The Eagles’ special teams has been their strongest and most consistent unit so far.

Cody Parkey has made some clutch field goals, and has been solid on kickoffs. Chris Polk and Darren Sproles have contributed return touchdowns. The punt and field goal block units have each blocked a kick through four games. This is without a doubt one of the top special teams in the league.

The Rams have a pretty good kicker in Greg Zuerline, but their special teams hasn’t made much of an impact in the return game this year.

Advantage: Eagles

Intangibles/Projected Outcome

The Rams enter this game fresh off of their bye week, but even with extended rest, its always difficult to go across the country and come back with a win.

This is a game that is too important for the Eagles to lose. They’ve got a bitter taste in their mouths after last week’s frustrating loss to the 49ers, and they’ve got a lot to prove this week at home. I think the Eagles win this game decisively, with bounce-back performances from both Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy, and the team moves on to next week’s division showdown with the Giants at 4-1.

Pick: Eagles 30, Rams 20

Denny Basens

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paulman
paulman
October 4, 2014 9:12 pm

Are you forgetting about Rams DT Aaron Donald?
Who is playing at a Def ROY Candidate Level
To go along with Brockers in the middle..
CB Janorid Jenkins is the Classic sit on the out route and plays amggressice on the outside, look for him to jump a couple of outs on Foles

St Louis, by the way, is a 2 hour Flight to Philly so no big deal for Professional
Athletes to handle so them traveling East is no big deal

Game will be in the Hands or Feet of LeSean McCoy,
If McCoy runs hard, decisive and takes what the Rams give him,
Then Foles can be effective.. If McCoy continues to try to run outside on every carry, he and the Eagles Offense will continue to struggle.
The Rams Front 7 is very fast & athletic and they swarm to the ball sideline to sideline very well so Screen Game will not he effective the Rams
The Eagles and McCoy/Sproles must attack them
Between the Tackles.. The TE’s should have Success in the middle of the Field versus their Safeties..
3rd and Longs for the Eagles & Foles will be a disaster versus the Rams

This Game is on LeSean McCoy and he needs to step
Up or the Playoffs for 2014 will look bleak..

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 5, 2014 10:23 am

It’s the sport of Kings better than diamond rings
F-O-O-T-B-A-L-L-
Are you ready for some football!!
Go Eagles!!!

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 5, 2014 10:31 am

Foles can’t look like Matt Barkley again–
Shady has to get his manicured fingernails dirty today because as Paulman wrote this week he is currently ranked last in the NFC east in most statistics and as Bill Parcells says you are what your record says you are, meaning Shady is the worst running back in the NFC EAST.
Off to the diner for brunch before the Linc.

paulman
paulman
October 5, 2014 10:55 am

Between McCoy/Sproles/Polk and maybe a Reverse and QB Scramble or two
The Eagles must get 140-150 Yards Rushing vs the Rams
Or they will lose… Chip Kelly’s Offense’s are predicated off
The Run… Ineffective Running means ineffective Offensexabd plays into
The hands of DC Gary Williams & the Rams Defense.
1st Downs Plays are critical to get yardage..

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 5, 2014 2:28 pm
Reply to  paulman

Shady is the example of a player who read his own ours clippings

DCar
DCar
October 5, 2014 1:50 pm

Can someone tell me, WTF is Shady is doing????? Something clearly is amiss with him. He has no explosion anymore!

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 5, 2014 2:44 pm

The throw to cooper ,was the same to maclin..one on one the receiver must win that battle..that said it’s pretty risky ,asking foles to make it..I guess like a 3 ball you’ll take 50% results..Ochoa down,Mathews in the glare of the spotlight ..that’s the matchup ,that Fischer will exploit..god there receivers are freakish..tired..tired..too..tired ..williams again makes the coaches film canister,come on man..O line a lot better ,opening up the play book in the second half..need uptempo and a defense that doesn’t allow reverse field runs,where Mathews is exposed..I look for an over the top attack from foles this half,I think chip wants to witness that at an optimal time..go birds

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 5, 2014 2:52 pm

Thornton play wow…jake long ..and short of it..

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 5, 2014 3:19 pm

Thornton Pal o mine…Jackie Gleason…time..

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 5, 2014 3:25 pm

Prediction … The agenda guys will be on here whining about the good D , the special teams etc . Very nice game , team responded to the opportunities the opponent presented

zilents44
zilents44
October 5, 2014 3:34 pm

hey pman u can stfu now u were wrong austin davis didnt shred us and their running game aint shit andrealtalk i wasvrigh on coop getting hisvtd

paulman
paulman
October 5, 2014 5:07 pm
Reply to  zilents44

QB Davis was 29-49 for 375 Yrds and 3 TD’s with No Ints???
Which is about 30-33 Points for my Fantasy Team this week
That’s pretty damn good don’t you think Zilents?
What Game were you watching?

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 5, 2014 5:09 pm
Reply to  paulman

He had prevent defense yardage his numbers are skewed.

Stop your nonsense.

zilents44
zilents44
October 5, 2014 5:20 pm
Reply to  paulman

OMG u fuckhead look at the time i sent that message way before he blew his load all over our dfense and then i said in another post that u were rite about davis u just love sucking your own dick

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
October 5, 2014 3:34 pm

Oh Izzel you have a fan!

Someone else likes to use the word “agenda.”

lol

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 5, 2014 3:39 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

Haha hahaha that’s a good one TS

DCar
DCar
October 5, 2014 5:26 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

ts, he is the one with the agenda. He clearly is a troll for all the front office’s, evidence by the mouth full of the doinks in his mouth all of the time. havenoclue, does nothing but make excuses, & condescendingly troll everybody, with his elitist comments! He lost all credibility & manhood with his 3 year run of Ruin 2morrow Jr. nut slobbering, excuse making, & bragging about his perfect, pristine family! F^#@ him! Don’t pay him any mind. All he is good for, is smart ass comments, & digs!

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 5, 2014 5:41 pm
Reply to  DCar

At 4-1 there is no need for excuses? wTF are u talking about? If we spent another 20 million on over paid FA we’d be what 2-3? Hey DCAR how did Byrd do even before the injury? Seriously? How was he?how is howies signings? Jenkins? Casey? Etc?

DCar
DCar
October 6, 2014 9:06 am
Reply to  haveacigar

Yeah the same Casey who stole $$$$ last year & does nothing but play ST’s! Yeah, Jenkins who lead the league in missed tackles for 3 years running, & showed his true colors yesterday! 2 of his INT’s, were thrown right to him. GTFOH with your idiocy! You are a clueless, knob gobbler! Beat it, you lackey, lemming, stooge!

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 6, 2014 9:31 am
Reply to  DCar

howies guys are 4-1??? what is wrong with that?

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 5, 2014 3:39 pm

Sorry ta the agenda crowd are obvious

koolbreeze
koolbreeze
October 5, 2014 4:17 pm

Whew!!!! Boy!! We ducked that bullet!!!

greenfan
greenfan
October 5, 2014 4:27 pm

These corners suck.

Muimuiman
Muimuiman
October 5, 2014 5:16 pm

“The Agendas” aka The Ron Mexicos

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 5, 2014 5:19 pm
Reply to  Muimuiman

That’s a good one.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
October 5, 2014 5:35 pm
Reply to  Muimuiman

Foles Fanboys would be more like it.

They are the “Agendas” these days.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 5, 2014 5:25 pm

Really beginning to worry about the time of possession business.

Eagles D has now been on the field for just under 6 games now though the team has played 5. (assuming an average TOP of 30 min/game)

And clock management???????????

Inexcusable to begin the 4th, be up 20 and to not be huddling and snapping the ball at 2 secs.

Snaps at 12? 15? 20? That’s an f-ing joke. AND completely preventable.

Eagles gave STL at least 2 minutes of “free time” in the 4th Q. There wouldn’t have been a final STL drive if they had just huddled and slowed the fuck down.

DCar
DCar
October 5, 2014 5:27 pm

Blame the possession business, on your boy toys horrid QB play, & the wannabe geniuses play calling!

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
October 5, 2014 5:34 pm
Reply to  DCar

lol

You know Vinnie is never gonna blame Foles for anything. EVER.

Come on.

Muimuiman
Muimuiman
October 5, 2014 5:41 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

How do you expect them to blame Foles for anything when the Ron Mexicos always blamed the Oline for Vicks pathetic play

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
October 5, 2014 5:45 pm
Reply to  Muimuiman

Yeah.

That’s what happened.

*rolls eyes*

Muimuiman
Muimuiman
October 5, 2014 5:51 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

Actually thats exactly what happened. Especially you. Need to be consistent on both sides babe.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 5, 2014 6:05 pm
Reply to  Muimuiman

That is exactly what happened. That and “pass-happy” Reid and a myriad of other excuses.

But hey TS, looks like he’ll be back out there in about 3 minutes, you must be giddy.

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 5, 2014 5:49 pm

What is the eagles record? 1-4? I don’t understand what the fuck you people are talking about. I thought we were trying to win?

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 5, 2014 5:56 pm

Actually if GM DCAR was in charge after 5 games the birds would magically be 6-0… If ts et al had Vick at qb they would be 1-4 but it would be everybody else’s fault

DCar
DCar
October 6, 2014 9:16 am
Reply to  haveacigar

Actually if I WAS GM, I would know WTF I was doing! Whenever I bring up a name, a transaction that should be, or a player to watch out for, I’m almost always correct! I can guarantee you, I can do a better job at evaluating talent, than the glorified bean counter, that shouldn’t even have the job! Just like your lover Ruin 2morrow Jr. I don’t watch sports biased, with the front offices dicks in my mouth, like you do, you waste of oxygen. Are they 4-1? Yes! Am I happy they are? Yes! Has the secondary, Foles & Shady sucked dick? Yes! Are they going far with this lineup? NO!!!!! Try using your brain, fool & stop making excuses for the front offices ineptness!!!!

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 6, 2014 9:34 am
Reply to  DCar

like i said if you were GM we’d be 6-0 on our way to the SB..I get it you are 100% correct… your team would be so good that most teams would simply forfeit, not show up.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 6, 2014 10:09 am
Reply to  haveacigar

DCar and Gus Bradley 6-0. Bwahahahahaha

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 5, 2014 5:56 pm

I’ve been a foles supporter ,but it’s exceedingly clear ,he didn’t show good judgement,floated some balls ,still had no over the top long throw connections,which ,I thought was chips concession ,never loosening up the defense ..but trying to get him in an early rhythm..winning with ..question marks instead of exclamation points is getting old ..they were lucky to get this W..up 37-7 and you can’t take care of business is shameful…this and the obvious intent of the rams to throw ,again was disheartening..when will we see 60 minutes of eagles football…? When will we see shady? ,who appeared sluggish in contrast to sproles …he got a few ,but he also made this game ,more difficult ,as chip has to establish him ,with adequate touches…I thought maclin had 1on 1 as did cooper ,but cooper made a play for the ball ,where maclin didn’t …the throw had a lot to do with it…throws off his backfoot,floaters and no zip on his passes…our two most prized offensive weapons both have me scratching my ass…would you rather win ugly or lose but play well?

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 5, 2014 5:58 pm

Foles played like shit. And very careless with the ball.

Shady played like shit. Always running sideways and also careless with the ball.

These re supposed to be the two best players on O, and they, right now, are 2 of the worst players on O.

That make you feel better?

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 5, 2014 5:59 pm

How exactly does Foles and Shady playing poorly change the fact that the coaches were ALSO being stupid with clock management all 4th quarter?

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
October 5, 2014 6:01 pm

But hey look…Jets are down 21-0, Geno is 4-12 with a pick…..

So Koolsongs, SongsBreeze (whoever you are) and TS, change the channel and grab your popcorn….’cause it looks like your boy is coming back!

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 5, 2014 6:23 pm

Vin I’m like you ,tired of being an apologist..today chip was brain dead ,with clock management ,last week in San Fran when with a 5 point deficit he went brain dead on clock management ,knowing if he scores he’ll at best be up 1 or 3 ,and he threw twice ….leaving a lot of time on the clock ,when had he scored ,he’d have given them precious time for San Fran..nick looks like a skiddish imposter ,floating ,and making bad decisions..shady looks even worse…where’s his burst?

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 5, 2014 6:41 pm

The Jets are desperate. They should have left Geno in, Vick looks no better, overthrowing receivers, throwing the ball erratically and taking sacks. same Mike Vick, aint nothing change….but Koolsongs – songs r kool says Mike would have won for us last week…As Clay Davis from The Wire says…..”Shiiiiiiiit”!

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
October 6, 2014 11:26 am
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

Their team is shit! Especially with their #1 WR out…With the weapons we have there are a large amount of QB’s that could have done what Foles has this season or better, on this team! Not trying to knock Foles, but if you watch the game, you see that majority of the passes Foles throws in the offense are shorter than 10 yards…how many NFL QB’s do you think can’t make a 10 yard pass?

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 5, 2014 6:47 pm

Jets are a bottom tier team with a bottom tier young qb. They have a has been as a back up a shitty coach … They blow

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 5, 2014 7:06 pm

Geno Smith is mediocre at best. Terrible mental makeup and not great enough as an athlete to make up for his poor pocket play.

Doing nothing but showing the same piss poor attitude he had his last year in WVU. There’s a reason why his teammates hated him.

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 6, 2014 10:31 am

DCar has a point of some of the misses….

However when you are winning games and the catalyst of those wins are from your talent evaluation the criticism has to stop.

The specials teams was a focus this offseason…they have been dynamic and are a key factor in the teams success.

Jenkins has turned around games. Sproles as well.

Where they will earn their money is now on the evaluation of Foles and free agency this upcoming offseason.

They went worst to first. Doesnt make them a legit contender after just one year.

haveacigar
haveacigar
October 6, 2014 10:46 am

all teams have misses…. and all teams have 7th rounders contributing. well dcar wouldn’t have any misses, but all the guys that get paid to put teams together all have misses.
toast you are correct… the special teams are dynamic, first time in years!

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 6, 2014 10:53 am
Reply to  haveacigar

Maragos, Braman, keeping Trey Burton, trading for Cody Parker, keeping Casey adding Sproles.

Those were some huge moves in hindsight now.