Eagles vs. Rams SNF matchup features two teams with many similarities

Philadelphia Eagles take on the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football this weekend. It should be quite the show. Both teams have had the winning touch lately.

Philly and LA might play on different coasts, but both franchises have seen similar journeys. Both got off to slower starts than they would have liked. Injuries handicapped each team's offense.

But, the similarities don't start there. Both are in playoff contention. This is a huge game, and each team has many characteristics that make the opposition believe they're staring in a mirror.

We'll focus on two. Both teams seem to have righted some pretty shaky ships to become better teams. They also feature stars in the backfield.

Both the Rams and Eagles are flying high after an injury-riddled start.

After beginning their regular season with a .500 record at 2-2, the Birds have gotten healthy. The offense is clicking more often. The defense has finally found its identity.

Philly is rolling. They have rattled off six straight wins. The Rams seem to have found their mojo as well. They've gone from losing four of their first five to winning four of five beginning with a close win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Both teams struggled early thanks in part to injuries to key players.

Think of all the injuries the Eagles offense has suffered. A.J. Brown was inactive for almost a month (Weeks 2-4). DeVonta Smith missed Week 4's game with a concussion (and will miss Week 12's game because of a hamstring injury). Philly's offensive line has been banged up, particularly with the losses of Jordan Mailata and Mekhi Becton.

Dallas Goedert missed Weeks 7-9. We saw the effects in Jalen Hurts' sruggles. Some could argue many of his early turnovers came from trying to do too much.

He did however turn the ball over twice in Week 1 despite having all of his weapons.

As mentioned, Los Angeles got off to an even slower start. They only won one of the first five games. It's worth stating that they were without Cooper Kupp from Weeks 3-7 (They had a bye in Week 6). Puka Nacua missed Weeks 2-7.

Who would have thought? Like Jalen Hurts, Matt Stafford struggled without his top weapons.

Since Nacua and Kupp have returned, the Rams won four of the last five games. That has placed them back in contention for a playoff spot.

Like Hurts, Stafford struggled and was a turnover machine without his best weapons. Who would have thought? Sometimes, good players need good players as teammates on the field to be successful.

KUpp and Nacua both played in Week 1. They combined for 18 receptions, 145 yards receiving and a touchdown. Kupp played in Week 2. Nacua did not. Both missed Weeks 3-7. During their combined absence, Stafford threw two TDs and three INTs in Weeks 3-6, but to his credit, he torched the Minnesota Vikings defense in Week 7 with a four TD-1 INT performance.

If you are interested, during the Eagles' six-game winning streak, Hurts has thrown eight touchdowns vs. only one interception. Since their bye in Week 5, Philly has only allowed an opponent to score over 20 points once while also collecting 21 sacks during the six-game winning streak.

The Eagles and Rams field stars at tailback, Kyren Williams (L.A.) and Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia).

On Sunday Night, two names the audience will hear often belong to Kyren Williams and Saquon Barkley. Where would the Rams or the Eagles be without their star running backs? They wouldn't be where they are. We can promise you that!

Williams has been key in helping LA's offense chug along. He has rushed for 750 yards and eight touchdowns so far this season. He's gone cold as of late though. Six of his eight scores came during the Rams' first five games.

Barkley has been more consistent. He has been everything the Birds could have hoped for and more. He is truly an elite running back.

Running backs are rarely awarded the NFL's MVP trophy. It hasn't happened since 2012 (Adrian Peterson), but media members and Eagles legends agree. Saquon has certainly made a case for himself.

He has run for 1137 yards with eight touchdowns. 702 yards and four of those touchdowns have been scored during the Eagles' six-game winning streak.

Read more Eagles Week 12 news and notes