For the second time in three weeks, the Los Angeles Rams entered a game knowing that a win would tie them for the NFC West lead, but once again, they struggled on the big stage. Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley rushed for 255 yards, the most the Rams have ever allowed to a running back. However, it was the Rams’ familiar issues on offense and special teams that also played a big part in their 37-20 loss to the Eagles on Sunday night.
“It just came down to us shooting ourselves in the foot,” defensive end Kobie Turner said. “We really needed to play gap sound but any time an opponent gets 314 rushing yards, that’s embarrassing.”
Barkley’s 255 yards set a new record for the most rushing yards by a running back against the Rams, breaking the previous record of 253 yards set by Dallas’ DeMarco Murray in 2011. The 314 total rushing yards allowed by the Rams was the fourth-most in the team’s history.
“They did way too many good things explosive-wise in the running game for us to be able to overcome,” coach Sean McVay said.
The Rams seemed ready for a quick start, but Kyren Williams fumbled the ball at the Eagles’ 17-yard line. This was Williams’ fifth fumble and third turnover in just seven weeks, compared to only three fumbles and two turnovers last year.
Williams gave the Rams a 7-3 lead with 1:02 left in the first quarter after a 1-yard run up the middle, but the Rams’ offense stalled on their next three possessions, going three-and-out each time.
After Barkley’s 70-yard run put the Eagles up 20-7 early in the third quarter, the Rams fought back and pulled within six when Matthew Stafford threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson. However, Philadelphia took control and pulled away for the win.
Stafford completed 24 of 36 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns, but was under pressure for most of the game. He was sacked five times, tying a season high. Stafford has been sacked 22 times in the Rams’ six losses, compared to just four times in their five wins.
“They rushed four the majority of the night. They didn’t do anything we didn’t expect,” Stafford said. “It was a one-score game at halftime and then we didn’t do enough in the second half. We didn’t put ourselves in a lot of favorable positions.”
Puka Nacua had nine catches for 117 yards, but Cooper Kupp was limited for most of the game and ended with eight catches for 60 yards.
Rookie kicker Joshua Karty missed a 47-yard field goal attempt late in the third quarter, marking his third straight game with a missed kick. He has made only three of his last six field goals.
“I thought we came out ready to go,” McVay said. “The turnover in the first quarter really hurt us. When it was a one-possession game, they ended up scoring quickly coming out of halftime. We were able to match it and then it got away from us.”
Despite their struggles, the Rams are still in the hunt for the NFC West title. Arizona and Seattle are tied for first place at 6-5, with the Rams and San Francisco one game behind at 5-6. Three of the Rams’ last four games are against division opponents.
“There’s humbling nights like this in football. It is all about how you respond. This team has the capability to respond,” McVay said.
