1 NFL expert believes the Rams have done enough to beat the Eagles in 2025

(2) - Time of possession

While not always an indication of winners and losers, the time of possession statistic is another key indicator of how the game is being won (or lost) in the trenches. And whenever facing the Philadelphia Eagles (or any dominating rushing offense for that matter), a strategy to win the time of possession battle is always in order.

Offenses like the Eagles, the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter every game with the belief that they can win the battle in the trenches, control the clock, take and early lead, and simply win be wearing down the opponent.

The Eagles took the lead from the Rams three times. The Rams never held the lead in their playoff game. Over time, that forces the Rams into an error-free narrow path that does not allow for mistakes of any kind, whether it be turnovers, penalties, or missed opportunities. The Rams were guilty of all three gaffes, which allowed the Eagles to seal the game for a win.

Had the Rams controlled the clock, the burden of error-free football would be placed on the Eagles. Would that have changed the outcome? Perhaps not. But it would have changed the momentum and flow of the game.

(1) - Run defense

The Los Angeles Rams did not put up much of a run defense against Eagles RB Saquon Barkley on either occasion that they faced him. In the playoff game, Barkley ran over the Rams for 205 rushing yards. While the weather may have played a factor in the defense's struggles, the Rams were not effective in stopping either QB Jalen Hurts or RB Saquon Barkley.

Hurts ran for a 44-yard touchdown. Barkley ran for a 62-yard touchdown. He later ran for a 78-yard touchdown. In two touchdown runs, Saquon Barkley ran for 140 yards. The entire Rams rushing offense was only good for 111 yards on 21 rushes. Can the Rams do better? I think so.

The team signed run-stuffer par excellence NT Poona Ford to anchor the teams run defense. And the team has added ILBS Nate Landman, Chris Paul, and Sean Dolac to amplify training camp competition. And the team added a huge and very athletic rookie defensive tackle in Ty Hamilton.

I don't know that we can point to any one player as the savior of the run defense in 2025. But I do think that the overall effort of the group in the second season of DC Chris Shula's defensive scheme will be much better and coordinated.

No one aspect of the Rams has made such significant strides as to warrant a belief that they can beat the Eagles. But the aggregate effect of all changes makes a compelling case that this team is more prepared to negate what the Eagles do best. We'll see how the two teams face off this season.

As always, thanks for reading.

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