The Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams will play on Sunday Night Football to cap off Sunday’s football slate. The Eagles will look to increase their division lead after a big primetime win against the Washington Commanders. The Los Angeles Rams look to keep their season alive as they are 5-5 heading into this pivotal matchup against the Eagles. The Eagles will come into this matchup well-rested after getting an additional three days off against the Commanders; despite the extra rest, they will be without star receiver DeVonta Smith, who is ruled out with a hamstring injury. Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown will see an increase in usage, and Jahan Dotson will have another opportunity to step into a sizable role in this primetime matchup. However, the most exciting matchup does not come on the field but on the sidelines.
Sean McVay vs. Vic Fangio:
This is a callback to a Sunday Night Football game six years ago. McVay was still with the Rams, while Fangio was the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears. At this time, McVay was relatively new to the league and had an offensive scheme sweeping it that very few knew how to stop. That is when Vic Fangio dropped the blueprint for the rest of the league on a Sunday night with most of the country watching.
The Bears beat McVay and the Rams 15-6 after Jared Goff was intercepted four times in the loss. It’s not his career-high either if you watched his miracle comeback against the Houston Texans. Now, as for this Rams team, the New England Patriots would take Fangio’s blueprint and use it to win a Super Bowl in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl we will see in quite some time.
Now, fast forward six years, McVay has his Super Bowl ring with a different quarterback, while Fangio has bounced around as a defensive coordinator while also having a short head coaching stint with the Broncos. They will now meet again in the same primetime timeslot as last time. Fangio again has a top-of-the-line defense after Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean earned full-time roles. Mitchell has locked up several star wide receivers, including Terry McLaurin, Ja’Marr Chase, and Malik Nabers. He now looks to add Puka Nacua to that list. Cooper DeJean will also see his most challenging test to date with Cooper Kupp handling the slot for the Rams.
Defensive Improvements
This game is a fantastic matchup with the Eagle’s defense, which has been the first in the league in defensive DVOA since week six. It is against a Rams team that has been getting its offensive pieces back as the season progresses. Last week was a good test of how potent this Eagles defense is, shutting down Jayden Daniels for most of the game, excluding the end of the game. Matthew Stafford will present different challenges for this young defense as an experienced signal caller. However, since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, this defense has proven that it is up to the challenge.
Defensive Rookie of The Year:
The two front runners for Defensive Rookie of the Year will be on the field Sunday night. Jared Verse and Quinyon Mitchell have both been fantastic this season. Verse leads all rookies in pressures with 48, almost double Chop Robinson, who has 26. Verse has significantly eased the impact of losing one of the greatest pass rushers of all time, Aaron Donald. Quinyon Mitchell has given the Eagles’ defense something it has not had in a long time: a lockdown corner. Both rookies are large contributors to their teams’ success. If you look at social media, there is no lack of arguments about who should win the award. If asked what will happen, Mitchell likely deserves the award, but Verse will likely win it due to statistics. That is not taking anything away from Verse, who has been incredible; Mitchell has been shutting down an entire side of the field at times as a rookie. If Verse has a monster game against Jordan Mailata, that could easily sway the argument. Whichever rookie shows up larger on an island game may take a decisive lead in the rookie of the year race while also winning the game for their team.
Game Prediction:
The Sunday night showdown of the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los Angeles Rams is hard to predict. Despite the Rams record, the Eagles are only three-point favorites in the matchup. That line is spot on, in my opinion. The Rams are better than their record, and this game could eliminate the team with a loss. The Rams currently have a 21 percent chance to make the playoffs, which would fall to 13 percent with a loss and improve to 30 percent with a win.
The Eagles will have their hands full, but it is A.J. Brown’s turn to carry this offense in a matchup with a monster game written all over it. The Eagles will get out of Los Angeles with a win, but it will be close.
Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles 21, Los Angeles Rams 17
