The Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles both come into Sunday afternoon with 2-0 records, making it one of the biggest marquee NFC clashes this week. The Rams have shown a good balance with their passing game and defense, while the Eagles have leaned on their running game and stout defense despite some early struggles throwing the ball. With both teams riding 2-game win streaks, and yes, we know it’s early, this game has the feel of a playoff preview.
The Rams have been the more dynamic offensive team through the first 2 games of the season. Matthew Stafford has thrown for an impressive 543 yards with 3 touchdowns, spreading the ball effectively to Puka Nacua, who already has 221 reception yards on 18 catches. The run game has been steady as well, with Kyren Williams tallying 132 rushing yards and a TD, but it’s clear Stafford and Nacua are carrying the offense. Defensively, the Rams have been disruptive, with Byron Young recording 3 sacks and Nate Landman leading the team with 18 tackles. On top of that, the Rams lead the NFL with the fewest PPG at 14.0.
The Eagles, meanwhile, have taken a more methodical approach to winning their games. Jalen Hurts has just 253 passing yards so far, but nonetheless has been accurate, completing 34 of 45 attempts. The passing attack has been limited, with DeVonta Smith only putting up 69 yards through 2 games. Instead, as we all expected, Saquon Barkley has been the engine, carrying 40 times for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns. Philadelphia’s defense has kept them in control, led by Zach Baun’s 15 tackles and Moro Ojomo’s presence up front.
Both defenses rank inside the top 10 in yards allowed, but both of these teams really haven’t played elite offenses. That sets the stage for a physical game where field position and execution on 3rd down could make the difference.
Team | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
---|---|---|---|
LA Rams | +3.5 -115 | O 44.5 -110 | +154 |
PHI Eagles | -3.5 -105 | U 44.5 -110 | -185 |
Bookmakers have this game tight, with the Eagles favored by 3.5 points on their home turf. The total is set at 44.5 points, while the moneyline has Philadelphia around -185 and the Rams at +154.
There’s nothing overly shocking with these numbers as they reflect a matchup expected to stay close, but with the home team given the edge.
The Rams’ biggest strength is their passing game. They rank 7th in the league in passing yards per game with 257 yards, with Stafford looking sharp and Nacua already becoming a key weapon. Philadelphia’s secondary will need to step up because so far, the Eagles haven’t faced a passing attack as efficient as this one. Sure, they’re only giving up around 180 passing yards per game, but we can all agree that the Chiefs aren’t the high-caliber offense they once were. The Rams also lead the NFL in yards per play against open coverage, showing their ability to capitalize when defenses slip.
For the Eagles, it’s really all about the ground game. They are 7th in the NFL with 140 rushing YPG, and a league-high 70% of their 1st downs this year have come on the ground. Barkley behind that offensive line will test a Rams defense that has allowed just 111.5 rushing yards per game and hasn’t tackled an opponent for a loss on any of their 53 rushing attempts this season. That’s a pretty big weakness that plays directly into Philadelphia’s strengths.
The passing numbers for the Eagles are troubling, though. They rank 31st in passing offense with only 119 YPG, which makes them predictable, and you can bet the Rams’ secondary will be even tougher. If the Rams can slow Barkley just enough and force Hurts to win through the air, they’ll have an advantage. The Rams’ pass defense is allowing just 147 yards per game, which is good for the 4th-best in the NFL. That strength matches up well against an Eagles team that has struggled to push the ball downfield.
Turnovers could be a deciding factor in this game as well. The Rams have been prone to trouble when losing fumbles, going winless in such games last season. The Eagles are very disciplined, ranking near the top of the league in limiting opponents’ success on first-read passes and red-zone plays. If Stafford and the Rams offense can avoid costly mistakes, they’ll have every chance to pull off the upset.
Another angle is how these teams finish. The Rams are undefeated in their last 9 games when within 7 points entering the 4th quarter. Meanwhile, the Eagles have been excellent at closing out games at home, posting an 8-1 record in Philadelphia since the start of last season.
This feels like a game where the Rams’ passing attack and defensive pressure give them the edge. Yes, the Eagles are a solid team this year — again — but Stafford is in rhythm, and Nacua has shown he can consistently win matchups. The Eagles’ one-dimensional offense is a big concern, especially if the Rams stack the box against Barkley and force Hurts into a higher-volume passing role. Philadelphia’s defense will keep them in the game, but the lack of explosiveness through the air makes it tough to trust them to cover.
With the Rams getting a few points on the spread, that’s easily the safer bet, however, if you want some more juice for the squeeze, you might want to sprinkle the moneyline at +154. The spread offers value given how close these teams are statistically, and the Rams have the offensive upside to win outright.
For a little bit more betting power on this game, the under 44.5 also has appeal, considering both defenses rank in the top 10 in total yards allowed.
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