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2024 NFC Divisional Round Preview: No. 4 Los Angeles Rams at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles

Matt Hanifan / NFL / January 18, 2025

Eagles Rams — (Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images)

2024 NFC Divisional Round Preview: No. 4 Los Angeles Rams at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles

Two down, two to go! The Los Angeles Rams picked up an excellent win on Monday night this week over the Minnesota Vikings while the Philadelphia Eagles handled business against Green Bay. Sunday’s matchup between Los Angeles and Philadelphia will be a rematch of their Week 12 meeting against one another in California, which resulted in a 37-20 Eagles victory. Will the playoffs fare any differentially? Let’s examine!

Why The Rams Will Win:

Coaching Advantage:

Coaching matters when playoff football rolls around. Being able to scheme up plays, have astute situational awareness and make adjustments over a full 60 minutes is paramount. Sirianni’s been excellent in the regular season, though the postseason has been more turbulent for him compared to McVay, who’s 8-4 in his postseason career with a Super Bowl. I trust McVay more than I trust Sirianni in a vacuum, even though the latter’s team is more talented. Will it make a difference?

Bend, but don’t break:

The Eagles’ offense is rolling behind Saquon Barkley (more on him later), but they’re 17th in red-zone touchdown percentage. The Rams defense, meanwhile, is sixth in defense, allowing TDs on less than half the time in the end zone. That should be the formula for Los Angeles. Bend, but do not break. Philadelphia will almost certainly string long drives together, but limiting the amount of touchdowns scored to keep them in it will be very important.

The Rams pass rush is capable of getting home:

The Rams’ demonstrative pass rush dominated Minnesota on Wednesday, sacking Sam Darnold nine times. They rank in the top-10 in sack percentage while the Eagles have the second-worst sack percentage allowed. The Rams must force long down-and-distance situations, which is far easier said than done. But if they can, the Rams are more than capable of getting home and getting off the field.

Why The Eagles Will Win:

Death By Barkley:

Saquon Barkley had his best game of the season against the Rams earlier this season, carrying the rock 26 times for 255 times with two touchdowns. Barkley’s had at least 20 carries in seven of his last eight and nine of his last 11, so they’re going to rely on him. The Rams have been porous against the run all season and will on short-rest in poor weather conditions. If Philadelphia can continue to lean on Barkley, it should be able to string together enough points to win.

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Limit the explosives:

The Rams don’t have an efficient ground game and the Eagles’ secondary has been one of the best in the NFL this season–led by rookie corner Quinyon Mitchell. Puka Nacua had 117 yards in their first meeting of the season, but the Eagles did a good job of limiting explosive plays when they built a big lead. Keep Nacua, Cooper Kupp and Tyler Higbee in front and the defense should have resounding success.

Matthew Stafford has historically been awful in bad weather games:

Weather does matter at the this time of year. That alters game plans and could completely change how a team plays stylistically. The best know how to adjust and win regardless. By kickoff on Sunday, it will be 34 degrees (Fahrenheit) with a 70-plus percent chance of snowing. Take a look at how Stafford’s fared in those games in the past.

Matthew Stafford outdoors in the rain/snow: 1-8 record, 54.6 completion percentage, 14 TDs, 11 INTs. 76.0 passer rating.

75% chance of snow on Sunday in Philadelphia.
— Tucker Bagley (@TBagleySports) January 16, 2025

If that holds true, will history repeat itself? The Rams are going to need Stafford to be atop his game. If he’s not, then Los Angeles doesn’t stand much of a chance.