The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in South Philadelphia for what may be a spectacular divisional-round game. This has the makings of a very tough battle on both sides of the ball with all of the stars ready to show out. However, Mother Nature may have other plans. It’s expected to snow heavily in the area which could make for an even more exciting matchup.
We gathered the team together to give you their predictions for the big game. Here’s who our Eagles team is predicting to win the big matchup on Sunday afternoon:
Bryan Cameron
Could the script be any better for the Eagles? A team that continues to be counted out because no one truly understands how they work. The Eagles are not a team in search of their identity. They know exactly who they are and what they can do. That alone makes them a very dangerous team. While the national media worries about the “rust” around Jalen Hurts, the Eagles will counter that in ways that you don’t expect which has been their thing all season long.
With the snowing coking down heavily in South Philly, the Eagles will be in their element. A roaring crowd of midnight green mixed with some Kelly Green here and there will help make this a game that the Rams would want to forget. The Eagles will rely on their run through the RPO and will find a way to get the ball to their receiver early and often. I believe Philadelphia will weather the storm and go on to host the NFC Championship after they defeat the Rams 28-14.
David Neisz
Many pundits keep stating how hot the Rams are heading into Philly as winners of 6 of their 7 games. Well, the Eagles are just as, if not more, hot, having won 13 of their last 14. Rams QB Matthew Stafford has struggled in games during the rain or snow with a 1-8 record. The Eagles are 6-0 in home NFC Divisional playoff games. Lastly, there is a narrative on social media about why Eagles RB Saquon Barkley will struggle. They are showing stats of teams that allowed a 200-yard rusher during the regular season and then played that same team in the playoffs.
The numbers read that a rusher has not run for more than 65 yards during the second game in the post-season. To those who believe that the Rams have a plan to stop Saquon this weekend, I would love to share a Mike Tyson quote with you. “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth” Eagles 26, Rams 13. Go Birds!
Cory Nidoh
Will we have a Snow Bowl II in South Philly? It certainly is shaping up to be that in the Divisional Round. The cold weather and snow certainly give the Eagles an edge on top of being the better team overall.
The Eagles have relied on the running game all season and have the better offensive line, the better running back, and are more accustomed to playing in foul weather compared to the Rams in L.A. in their enclosed SoFi Stadium.
Eagles win this one 24-14 backed by another 100-yard game by Barkley on the ground who will score twice to send the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game.
Mike Gregor
I don’t fear the Rams. Just like I didn’t fear the Packers a week ago. Maybe I’m getting a tad too optimistic or too soft in my old age … but, sorry, I don’t see the Eagles losing this game.
Sean McVay has long been the national media’s darling, incessantly praised for his “window dressing” offense — motion, motion, motion … fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me — yet his kryptonite has always been the Eagles. He’s never beaten Nick Sirianni (0-for-2) or Vic Fangio who beat him as defensive coordinator in Chicago and earlier this year in Philly. McVay is a smart offensive mind, a guru of sorts, but he’s not invincible. He has one Lombardi. The same amount as Doug Pederson.
Yes, the Rams were dominant in their wild-card win over the Vikings. Nine sacks and 32 pressures. Insane. Sam Darnold didn’t have a chance. But, they did it against one of the weaker offensive lines in football, a “vomit bag” unit that is slated to be entirely rebuilt in 2025. Not this week …
The Eagles boast the best offensive line in the business. Listen to what Lane Johnson told reporters earlier this week about the Rams’ victory over the Vikings: “Their offensive line couldn’t block them. That’s what it was.”
The Eagles will block them. With snow in the forecast, look for Saquon Barkley to channel his inner Shady McCoy and expose the Rams’ defense like a Playboy centerfold. Birds keep it conservative and grind it out on the ground. Barkley goes for 200 yards in a tighter-than-expected game. Eagles 23, Rams 16.
Christopher Babos
Like Shady dashing through a blanket of snow in 2013, generations of Philadelphia sports fans will remember this cold weather game against the LA Rams at Lincoln Financial Field for years to come. Entering a brisk contest with an elite running back that already posted a 250+ yard rushing day against this opponent is a huge psychological edge for Philadelphia.
In their final three road games of the season, Los Angeles allowed an average of 143 rushing yards against the Jets, 49ers, and Saints in optimal conditions. None of those teams have Saquon Barkley. Philadelphia will celebrate a 200-yard rushing day from Saquon after the snowplows in front of him clear the way for a 31-21 Eagles win.
Anthony DiBona
After the Eagles rode Saquon Barkley to victory over the Rams back in Week 12, many are expecting Philadelphia to utilize the same recipe in the Divisional Round. Yet the Rams will surely be ready to stop Barkley this time around, right? That is certainly easier said than done.
Although Los Angeles has played well in recent weeks, Philadelphia will present a tough matchup for the Rams. Especially with a projected forecast that includes frigid temperatures and several inches of snow. The Eagles are simply tougher and more talented than the Rams, which will result in another convincing victory for Philadelphia, as long as they can avoid turning the ball over on offense.
Eagles 30, Rams 20
What do you think the final score will be for the Eagles vs Rams matchup?
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
