Another primetime game awaits the Rams this weekend as they host the Eagles on Sunday Night Football at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff from Inglewood, Calif. is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. PT on NBC.
Ahead of the contest, here are 3 Keys to Winning for the Rams, presented by The Law offices of Jacob Emrani (CallJacob.com).
1) Minimize Saquon Barkley's impact
File to the category of "easier said than done." The rejuvenated running back has 197 carries for 1,137 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns and has been a focal point of the 8-2 Eagles' offense.
That unit doesn't flow exclusively through Barkley – quarterback Jalen Hurts has 12 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns – but Barkley's ability to ice games with breakaway runs, or simply gaining the yards needed to keep the chains moving and burn clock, make mitigating his impact priority number one.
2) Maintain rush lane and gap integrity
This aligns with the previous key in many ways.
In order to limit Barkley and ensure Hurts doesn't become the running threat he's capable of, or make plays out of structure, Los Angeles will need sound discipline when it comes to its defensive line and linebackers maintaining gap integrity and their rush lanes.
That also applies to converting pressures into sacks and tackles for loss. Both will be tough to come by against one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, so maximizing those chances when they presented themselves will be crucial.
3) Protect Stafford
It's a big game for the interior of L.A.'s offensive line especially, given Philadelphia's sizable interior defensive line presence between the 6-foot-6, 334-pound Jordan Davis and 6-3, 314 Jalen Carter.
While giving quarterback Matthew Stafford ample time to throw from the pocket is always critical, it will be especially so in this game.
