THIS was a fistfight.
EAGLES 28 – Rams 22
EAGLES STATS:
Passing: QB Jalen Hurts (15/20 – 75.0% – 128 – 0 – 0)
Rushing: RB Saquon Barkley (26 – 205 – 7.8 – 2 – 0)
Receiving: TE Dallas Goedert (4 – 4 – 56 – 14.0 – 0)
Drive Killer: (B)CB Isaiah Rodgers (TD: 0/Int: 0/ FR: 1/ 4th down stops: 0/ FF: 0)
Sack Leader: DT Jalen Carter (Sacks: 2.0/ FF: 1/ Tackles: 5)
Special Teams Ace: K Jake Elliott 2/3 XP, 3/3 FG (44)
****
I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: RAMS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Pound the Rock: We had 34 rushes for 285 yards (8.3ypc), and THREE touchdown runs of 40 yards or longer, vs just 20 pass attempts. We absolutely pounded the fuck out of the rock. (DONE)
2) Force Their QB to Run: We got QB Matt Stafford (26/44 – 59.0% – 324 – 2 – 0) moving around from the opening drive. The crucial play came on the ninth play of their first possession. Stafford ran up the middle for 5 yards and hurt his ribs. At that point in the game, the grass was fully green, with the sun’s UV rays still contributing to subtle evaporation, and lifting the air somewhat.
Then the snow moved in and it got dark. Funny thing about Philadelphia with the stadium so close to water. When the sun goes down, the air doesn’t lift, and it feels thinner to breathe with exertion. Thin, cold air and hurt ribs, and a slippery ground are not a winning combination.
That combination showed up later in the game, made evident by Stafford’s uncharacteristically spotty ball placement, and decreased velocity on intermediate and deep throws. In the fourth quarter alone, he was 1/5 on passes downfield, and had 5 passes broken up. (DONE)
3) Dallas Goedert Is the Key: Not only was Goedert our leading receiver, but on every one of of our scoring drives from the first to the third quarter, Goedert had a catch. On drives where he didn’t touch the ball, we didn’t score. Simple at that. Until of course, that one play 78 yard dagger in the heart administered by Oh Say Can You Quon.
Oh, I said five targets. Well he had four catches, but one in the third quarter, was wiped out by a penalty on RG Mekhi Becton, who otherwise thugged out in this game. (DONE)
4) Don’t Overthink It: We didn’t. We stayed in our wheelhouse, of running the ball and playing defense. We didn’t dial up trick plays, or go overboard with Screens. We just put on our boots, tossed the Rams into a vat, and commenced to stomping. (DONE)
++++
This week’s Four Things score was 4 of 4. As I always say, if we nail all four, we can’t lose! We opened with a score. They answered, then we retook the lead, and never relinquished it.
Can we do it again? We likely don’t need to, as this Sunday, we get to play a rubber match with the Washington Commanders. This weekend, Philadelphia will host the NFC Championship Game, on our continued quest to win this year’s Super Bowl.
****
Game Hero: RB Saquon Barkley – If it wasn’t for that 70 yard touchdown drive that we gave up in the fourth quarter, making it 22 – 28, I would give this spot to DT Jalen Carter (5 – 2.0 – 0 – 0) for the way he almost singlehandedly sealed the win for us.
Instead, I have to go with the guy who built the lead, and broke the Rams will to fight back.
Game goat: QB Jalen Hurts – I know some fans are tired of him facing criticism, because whatever he’s doing, it results in wins. For some of us, watching him hold the ball for thirty minutes per play, is beyond frustrating. Just throw the ball away! That beats a sack, every time. If guys aren’t getting open, talk to the Offensive Coordinator. Establish some hot reads. Get the ball in the hands of a teammate.
On The Whole: We started strong and we finished strong. But to be honest, it felt like the Rams had an easier time passing than we did, once the snow hit. That’s not a complaint. Just an observation.
EAGLEMANIACAL.com 