Thursday, October 1, 2026
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The Philadelphia Eagles return home to the Linc on Sunday to face the Los Angeles Rams, looking to bounce back from their ugly loss to the Bears.
Philadelphia has owned the Rams in recent years, winning four straight meetings, including the 2024 divisional playoff matchup in the snow and a wild 2025 game that ended with a blocked field goal scooped up for a game-ending touchdown.
This Philadelphia team is struggling more than those, but the Rams have their own problems. They blew a 16–0 halftime lead against Denver last week, and they will be without star pass rusher Myles Garrett, who is on injured reserve after knee surgery.
The biggest question for Philadelphia isn’t the Rams’ injuries, but whether the Eagles can protect Jalen Hurts.
Who: Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles
When: Sunday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. ET
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
How: FOX
Philadelphia has allowed eight sacks through three games and, more importantly, constant pressure that has disrupted the Eagles' offensive plans. They have been unable to marry the passing and the running game and have struggled to develop any semblance of rhythm and timing.
Cam Jurgens allowed four pressures against Chicago, while Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, and Tyler Steen each allowed at least one.
Now, Philadelphia gets a Rams defense without Myles Garrett, which seems like a huge break, but so did facing the Bears without Caleb Williams, and we saw how that turned out.
This time, the Eagles have to take advantage.
If the offensive line can give Hurts time, Philadelphia has enough talent to stress the Rams' defense. If the pressure continues, it won’t matter who runs routes or calls plays.
The Eagles’ offense needs to get back on track. Seven points against Chicago wasn’t just a bad offensive performance; it was the latest example of an offense that can’t consistently operate when the offensive line isn’t winning.
The Eagles need to establish Saquon Barkley and their running game to make the Rams respect the run. Barkley has had monster games versus them in the past, and they will be focused on stopping him; play action could be weaponized.
Philadelphia needs to use motion, formations, quick-game concepts, and start to incorporate play-action to help its offensive line. Hurts has enough ability to make plays outside the structure, but asking him to constantly create when the pocket is collapsing isn't sustainable.
Matthew Stafford remains the biggest problem, but the Rams are also dealing with injuries on both sides of the ball, including Puka Nacua, who has a hip injury and may miss another game.
The Rams quarterback threw for 390 yards against Denver last week, even though Los Angeles ultimately blew a 16-point lead and lost 30–26. But it illustrates how dangerous Stafford can be even without his top receiver.
The Eagles can’t let Stafford sit comfortably in the pocket; they need to pressure him without constantly sending extra rushers.
That starts with the defensive line. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and the rest of the front need to win their one-on-ones and make Stafford move. Quite simply, they need more from their DTs. Quick passing games have neutralized their attack, but that's no excuse for failing to be disruptive.
If Puka Nacua is unavailable, that puts even more responsibility on Davante Adams and the rest of the Rams’ receiving corps. Adams had 137 yards against Denver last week, 195 against the Giants the week before, and will be a player the Eagles need to contain.
The focus and ire of the fans have been on Cam Jurgens, but this isn’t about one player. The entire unit has disappointed to start the season, and for Philadelphia to be a contender, they have to play the way they have in the past and were expected to enter this season. Whether it's a new scheme or injuries playing into their struggles is irrelevant; excuses don’t win games; action does. The Eagles have invested heavily in the offensive line for years, and they need to play like it.
The pressure allowed against Chicago became impossible to ignore, and this week does not get any easier. Myles Garrett isn’t playing, but Aaron Donald is. The Birds will have to fight off interior pressure all game. Those matchups could determine the winner.
Turnovers. The Eagles cannot go deeper into the season without creating turnovers and be a serious contender.
Hurts and the passing game. Hurts needs time to throw. If the protection improves, the team can sustain drives and create the explosive plays that proved to be game-winners the first two weeks.
The defensive line. Stafford can still beat you if he’s comfortable, and Philadelphia needs to create pressure with four, stop the run on early downs, and force the Rams into obvious passing situations to give the backfield time to cover and hopefully create a turnover.
Pressures and sacks allowed: These numbers matter most to me this week.
The Eagles’ offensive line has allowed eight sacks through three games, and Hurts has struggled significantly when facing pressure. The line does not need to pitch a shutout, but it needs to be functional. If the pressure numbers come down, everything else has a chance to improve.
The Eagles have owned the Rams. They have won four straight against Los Angeles, including a playoff win, and Jalen Hurts is 3–0 as a starter against Sean McVay’s team, but history won’t matter if the Eagles can’t protect their quarterback.
The Rams are dangerous enough to expose the same problems Chicago did. Protect Hurts, run the football, get the ball to the playmakers, and pressure Stafford on defense.
If the Eagles can do that, Philadelphia should look like a completely different offense than the one we saw Monday night, and the defense might finally create a turnover.
Eagles 27, Rams 23
This game could go either way, and honestly, I almost chose the exact score in reverse, but there's something about how Philadelphia has found ways to beat the Rams that has me believing they can do it again. Fool's Gold? We will find out Sunday afternoon.
Will Puka Nacua play against the Eagles? It's not yet known. Sean McVay is 'hopeful' of a week 4 return after missing the last two games.
Who is the betting favorite in Rams vs Eagles? The Rams are -3 road favorites.
When was the last time the Eagles beat the Rams? The Eagles last beat Los Angeles in September 2025, winning 33-26.
MORE: 5 things we learned in the Eagles' MNF loss to the Bears
