Rams to target one key Eagles player

When the Los Angeles Rams face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, they’ll want greater than technique – they’ll want an answer. This NFC divisional-round conflict options two groups with wealthy postseason pedigrees and vastly completely different seasons. However one factor binds them: Saquon Barkley, and what he may do subsequent.

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Barkley the person of the second

The Eagles’ star working again isn’t only a weapon; he’s a battering ram wrapped in a inexperienced jersey. Earlier this season, Barkley shredded the Rams for 302 complete yards and two touchdowns, together with a jaw-dropping 255 speeding yards. Philadelphia cruised to a 37-20 win, with Barkley leaving a path of defenders in his wake. He even managed two 70-plus-yard touchdowns, changing into simply the sixth participant in NFL historical past to take action. No strain, Rams protection.

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Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay is aware of what’s coming. “We’ve discovered from these setbacks,” he mentioned, referencing the Rams’ early-season struggles. These “setbacks” included a midseason loss to Philadelphia that left Los Angeles at 5-6. Since then, the Rams have clawed again, ending the common season sturdy and dominating the Minnesota Vikings within the wild-card spherical. However containing Barkley? That’s a unique beast altogether.

Rams protection bear in mind Saquon

The Rams’ protection isn’t quick on firepower. Final week, it tallied an eye-popping 9 sacks in opposition to Minnesota, tying an NFL playoff file. Kobie Turner, Byron Younger, and Neville Gallimore spearheaded a relentless go rush. But, as Rams followers painfully recall, Barkley didn’t want a lot time to blow previous defenders the primary time round. The duty now is determining methods to rewrite the script.

Philadelphia has its sights set on a second convention title in three years, using a season that noticed them end 14-3 atop the NFC East. Barkley is on the coronary heart of their offense, however quarterback Jalen Hurts affords one other dimension. Hurts was regular however unspectacular in final week’s win over the Packers, managing two touchdowns and 36 speeding yards. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni praised his quarterback’s ball safety and management, however even he is aware of who the Rams will goal.

“It’s apparent,” Sirianni mentioned, addressing Barkley’s pivotal function. “Groups are going to throw every little thing at him, however he retains producing.”

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The Rams’ offensive counterparts will attempt to preserve tempo. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has playoff pedigree, vast receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are elite threats, and Kyren Williams brings stability with 1,299 speeding yards this season. However Sunday isn’t shaping up as a shootout; it’s shaping up as a check of wills, and Barkley is the participant the Rams can not ignore.

Each groups enter the matchup banged up. The Rams are with out linebacker Troy Reeder and defensive finish Larrell Murchison, whereas the Eagles will miss defensive sort out Byron Younger. Regardless of this, McVay expects his questionable starters to swimsuit up.

If historical past is any indicator, the Rams have a slight edge, holding a 2-1 benefit in postseason conferences. But, historical past doesn’t play protection. Stopping Saquon Barkley is probably going going to be the Rams’ single largest problem – and in the event that they fail, their playoff journey ends Sunday.

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