The Philadelphia Eagles are back at Lincoln Financial Field this Sunday. They have their sights set on the Super Bowl, but a few things must happen before that occurs.
Philly must first dismantle the Los Angeles Rams. They are surging after setting the stage with a Monday night, 27-9 Wild Card Round win over the Minnesota Vikings. Hearts were heavy after the California wildfires moved L.A.'s home game to neutral territory.
Now, the Eagles will continue their 'hunt' without Nakobe Dean. Despite a season-ending injury against the Green Bay Packers, the Birds' plans haven't changed. A Super Bowl appearance is the goal. Here are a few predictions for Sunday's game.
Saquon Barkley will score 2+ touchdowns.
Saquon Barkley's Week 12 outing vs. the Rams was his statistical best of the regular season. He toted the rock 26 times for 255 rushing yards. He scored two touchdowns. That was the highest rushing total of his career. He also caught four passes for 47 yards.
Since then, Barkley has eclipsed 2,000 yards rushing. He also hasn't scored a touchdown in almost a month (Week 16 vs. the Washington Commanders) after he eschewed one in the Wild Card Round, electing instead to slide on his final carry to allow his team the opportunity to kneel and run the clock out.
Barkley is due for a phenomenal game.
Los Angeles ranks 22nd in rushing defense, and their issues will continue in this one. They'll have a difficult time stopping Barkley. Pencil him in for two more touchdowns.
A.J. Brown will have his best season game on Sunday.
Brown's stats haven't been as impressive as we're used to seeing. Everyone knows that isn't his fault. The Eagles have prioritized their running game all season.
Their wide receivers have often taken the back seat. It hasn't mattered much. Philly has won anyway, but a more balanced attack is coming, one where all of this talent can partake in the fun.
The Rams' passing defense ranks in the bottom half of the league. Expect A.J. Brown's 'inner excellence' to shine through as his great day will be one of the takeaways from this one.
The Rams will only score one touchdown.
The Rams have one of the best WR duos in the league. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have a combined 1,700 receiving yards. Nacua, despite being the second-most-targeted receiver in the NFL, only has three touchdowns to his credit this season.
Nacua could find himself lined up across from Quinyon Mitchell often. Q has the second-best odds behind Rams' edge rusher Jared Verse to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Verse is public enemy number one in the NFL now.
He has held big-name receivers to 35 yards or less all season. His list of victims includes Mike Evans, Ja'Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, and Terry McLaurin. Our 'Cooper vs Cooper' matchup could feature several views of Cooper Kupp and Cooper DeJean in the slot.
DeJean is also a DROY favorite. He has often teetered around the fifth-best odds of all rookies to win the award. Can the rookie contain the veteran? We believe he will. We believe the Rams will only score one TD.
The Eagles will move on to the Conference Championship after winning by more than a TD.
The Rams have a lot of things working against them for Sunday's game. One might be the weather, but that isn't the only factor in which the Eagles might have the edge.
Nothing beats Lincoln Financial Field's atmosphere or the best fans in sports. Philly figures to be more ready for the weather than the Rams are.
The Eagles closed the regular season ranked eighth in offense. We've, at times, seen near-50/50 balance from the passing and rushing attack. That bodes well for Philly. So does their top-ranked defense.
Jalen Hurts hasn't thrown an interception in a playoff game since 2021. The Eagles are 8-1 against the Rams since 2005, and they will continue their winning ways. The Birds win this one by more than a TD, and they will advance to face a Detroit team that upends the Washington Commanders