Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los Angeles Rams: 5 Things to Watch, Predictions

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles talk all the time about the climb, trying to get better each week so that they are playing their best football in November and December.

Halfway up the mountain, they will have to leave some key players behind. Four, to be exact, and maybe five.

Ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium are defensive tackles Fletcher Cox and Marlon Tuipulotu, right guard Cam Jurgens, and safety/slot corner Sydney Brown. Punt returner Britain Covey is listed as questionable.

Meanwhile, the Rams will welcome back receiving Cooper Kupp after missing four games and left tackle Alaric Jackson, who missed last week’s game.

The Eagles have dodged a slew of injuries already on their way to 4-0.

Can they do it again?

Here are five to watch:

Sua Opeta. He will step in for Jurgens and this will be just the fifth start of a career that began in 2019 as an undrafted free agent. He gets the nod over rookie Tyler Steen and you know the Rams are going to be in attack mode with Aaron Donald likely lining up against him more often than not.

“When you’re getting in and playing well, your confidence shoots up,” said Opeta, who has already had to fill in for 68 snaps this season due to a variety of in-game injuries. “I’m confident in my own ability to play, so it’s cool I get to go out there against Aaron Donald now.”

He has the confidence of his teammates, particularly center Jason Kelce.

“Some guys perform on the field but they’re kind of missing a few things, and teams are always trying to move on from them,” said Kelce. “Sua is pretty much the opposite of that. He has all the traits, he’s very physically gifted, he’s very strong, he’s explosive, and he’s really taken a lot of steps as far as being more consistent. I think that’s the thing that, the last two or three years, feels like that has clicked for him.”

Run defense. The Eagles have depth on the defensive line that will be needed in this one. Without Cox and, to a lesser extent Tuipulotu, who has played well when his number is called, the Eagles’ second-ranked run defense will be pushed by L.A.’s Kyren Williams, who already has five rushing touchdowns this season.

The Rams are averaging 104 yards per game in the run game; the Eagles allow just 63 yards per game.

Jalen Carter. The rookie lost some ground in his bid to be defensive rookie of the year after Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon put on a show in Monday night’s primetime win over the New York Giants.

Carter’s snaps will likely increase with Cox and Tuipulotu on the shelf, and he could be matched up occasionally with guard Steve Avila, a rookie second-round pick last spring.

The feeling here is Carter will get at least one sack.

Pass defense. The Eagles were doing so well at not giving up a touchdown pass last week, and didn’t surrender one until time expired, a score that sent the game against the Washington Commanders into overtime. As it is, they have allowed nine already this season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford will have Kupp back to pair with rookie sensation Puka Nacua.

“He’s great,” said Eagles corner Darius Slay, who played with Stafford for seven seasons in Detroit. “Smart dude. Amazing arm talent. He gets it done. He’s in that elite arm talent conversation. He could put the ball anywhere, fit it in anywhere.”

Smells like a two-touchdown game for Stafford.

Dallas Goedert. Sooner or later, the tight end will have a breakout game. This could be that time against a linebacker group that can be vulnerable. Give him his first touchdown of the season.

PREDICTION: Rams 30, Eagles 28