5 Philadelphia Eagles who MUST step up versus Los Angeles Rams

Thanks to injuries, the Philadelphia Eagles will need all hands on deck for a win versus the Rams. That means both unknowns and veterans need to step up.

It’s almost unconscionable to think that anyone would have figured that this many important players and starters would have ended up on the Philadelphia Eagles‘ IR when the season started. If you throw out the tight end and kicker positions, Philly’s had a devastating loss at every other position on the football field.

‘Next man up’ has turned into ‘is there anyone left’? Don’t expect ‘The Birds’ to quit down the stretch, but with their next game being against one of the best teams in the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams, they’ll need Herculean efforts from both veterans and the guys that have been asked to fill in.

Here are five of those Eagles:

1. Fletcher Cox

You can’t blame Fletcher Cox for what’s gone wrong in 2018, but when you make more money than most of us will ever see in a lifetime, you’re asked for more when other stars are out. That means Cox needs to do even more, and so do guys like Brandon Graham, Haloti Ngata and Malcolm Jenkins.

Philly’s stars have to be superstars in this one.

2. Cre’von LeBlanc

The Eagles are, literally, holding their secondary together with prayer and the hope that good things will happen.

Rasul Douglas is available but isn’t really one-hundred percent. That means the Eagles will need to stop the Rams’ high-powered passing attack with guys who weren’t even supposed to be on the team when the season started.

That means it’s up to Cre’von LeBlanc, DeVante Bausby, and Chandon Sullivan. They’ll all need to grow up in a hurry.

3. Kamu Grugier-Hill

The second level of the defense may help tell the tale down the stretch. We know what Nigel Bradham is capable of, but when you look past him, the most experienced linebacker available is Kamu Grugier-Hill aka ‘The Flying Hawaiian.

The confidence is there, but will that bring results? We’ll soon see.

4. Alshon Jeffery

This can’t be an average game for Alshon Jeffery. Yes, the Rams have play makers in the secondary, but there’s no excuse for why Jeffery shouldn’t be able to get open and make plays.

He has to get open. He has to make plays and get in the end zone. Honestly, he may need to get in the end zone more than once.

5. Golden Tate

Games like these are why Golden Tate was brought in. We thought his performance against the Washington Redskins meant that he was building some chemistry with Carson Wentz. Then, he disappeared against the Dallas Cowboys.

Let’s hope he can gel with Foles rather quickly. Honestly, the Eagles need him to.