The Rams missed a prime opportunity to make up ground in the crowded NFC West on Sunday night, losing 37-20 to the Eagles in a blowout.
With two teams in the division losing, the Rams squandered a chance to keep pace with the 6-5 Seahawks and Cardinals, in large part due to the defense’s issues containing the run.
A week after holding the Patriots to only two touchdowns, the Rams can pat themselves on the back after limiting Jalen Hurts on the ground, but when you give up over 250 yards and two touchdowns to Saquon Barkley, it’s safe to say most coaches wouldn’t expect to win many football games.
To their credit, the Rams have fared middle of the pack when it comes to stopping the run, ranking 17th in yards allowed entering Sunday’s home game.
Chris Shula’s defense notably held De’Von Achane to under 40 yards three weeks ago but has now given up a combined 328 yards in back-to-back games against Rhamondre Stevenson and Barkley.
Head coach Sean McVay spent all of last week praising Barkley’s talent, admitting post-game that Philly’s $37.75 million offseason signing poses a matchup nightmare in the film room.
“The thing that’s hard is you get into these aggressive looks and you give him a vertical seam to the second level, he’s got the ability to be able to erase angles and work edges and make people miss,” McVay said.
Like most teams, Shula’s defense stacked the box on multiple occasions to try and prevent Barkley’s explosiveness, only to surrender two monster 70-yard touchdown runs.
Like this if you love Saquon Barkley.
RT this if you love Saquon Barkley.
Reply that you love Saquon Barkley.@saquon | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/0h0Whzyn49— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 25, 2024
When asked about Philly’s second rushing touchdown in the third quarter, one that broke the game open and sucked the life out of SoFi Field, McVay used only one word to describe Barkley: outstanding.
“He’s getting tough, hard-earned yards, and then you give a vertical seam a couple of times. He’s got the explosiveness, the long speed, and the ability to be able to finish, and that’s what blew the game open for us. He was outstanding tonight.”
Things won’t get any easier for Shula or the Rams’ interior defense over the coming weeks. They’ll face off against Alvin Kamara and the Saints in Week 13, before a home game against James Cook and the red-hot Bills, followed by a road trip to face Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.
