Why Los Angeles Rams Defense Couldn't Stop Philadelphia Eagles When It Mattered
The young and inexperienced Los Angeles Rams kept it close with the Super Bowl runner-up Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of Sunday's matchup, but the defense couldn't get off of the field in the second half—leading to a 23-14 loss.
This was an issue in the first half as well, as Philadelphia finished the half with seven more first downs and minutes of possession time. However, Los Angeles' offense went toe-to-toe with the Eagles' for the first 30 minutes, which created just a three-point deficit.
Philadelphia's defense was able to figure out the Rams' offense at halftime, as they didn't allow a single point the rest of the game. Similar to the Rams, the Eagles also started the second half on a quiet note, as they failed to score in the third quarter.
That being said, Los Angeles' lack of offensive and defensive production in the second half created a larger divide in time of possession, as Philadelphia finished the game logging 78 plays compared to the Rams' 55. The Eagles also converted on 13-of-18 third-down attempts and had over 15 more minutes possessing the ball.
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) drags Los Angeles Rams safety Russ Yeast (2) into the end zone for a touchdown.
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
There were numerous reasons for L.A.'s defensive struggles, but it was mainly caused by Philadelphia's Pro Bowl-riddled offensive line. They consistently created large gaps for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back D'Andre Swift to burst through and rush for a combined 142 of the team's 159 yards.
The Rams' pass rush rarely reached Hurts, as Zach VanValkenburg's sack and Byron Young's hit were the only times that the quarterback was put on the ground. The lack of pressure allowed Hurts more time to connect with receiver A.J. Brown and tight end Dallas Goedert from start to finish.
Going into Week 5, Goedert had 13 receptions for 88 yards. On his first drive against the Rams on Sunday, he hauled in four catches for 45 yards and the opening touchdown from six yards out. He continued this newfound momentum throughout the game.
Brown was a deep threat throughout 2022 and this season, especially against the Rams, has been no different. Hurts consistently connected with him for an average of 21.8 yards per reception on Sunday, and their chemistry exposed Los Angeles' secondary.
Hurts finished the game completing 25-of-38 pass attempts for 303 yards, a touchdown, and an interception by Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. Brown and Goedert hauled in a combined 14-of-17 targets for 244 yards and the previously mentioned touchdown by the tight end.
