6 initial reactions to Rams' ugly Week 4 win over Eagles

In a game holding early playoff implications, the Los Angeles Rams came out flat again. They needed to take the road crowd out of the game. Instead, they ushered them right into it. LA only claimed the lead with under two minutes to play. Throughout the game, the offense seemed to be listless and unfocused.

But in a never-say-die effort, running back Kyren Williams' persistence proved to be the difference.

LA's losing streak to the Eagles ends at four games since bringing Matthew Stafford aboard. Unfortunately, Stafford seemed determined to lose. He threw multiple interceptions, and those turnovers led directly to Philly points.

Give credit to the Eagles defense. They had help from the rain, Stafford's struggles, and some questionable officiating, but in a game that the Rams needed to win, you would never have guessed it by the optics.

But their own defense was just as impressive. It was the only aspect of the team that showed any pulse. They held the Eagles to under 200 yards of offense and to an 0-for-11 mark on third-down conversions.

How best to sum up this game? The Rams trailed by 10 points when the defense stopped the Eagles on downs at their own 38-yard line. LA's offense could only advance the ball two yards before returning the favor.

And yet, the visitors emerged with an ugly win.

Rams have plenty to improve on despite coming out on top

1. Matthew Stafford's struggles continue

Another headscratcher from Stafford. In the opening drive, he overthrew receiver Konata Mumpfield for his first interception. That gaffe led directly to a quick three points for the Eagles. At the end of the first half, Stafford was 12-of-21 for 120 yards and two interceptions, producing 10 Eagles points. He finished 32-of-51 for 316 and helped author the 51st game-winning drive of his career.

2. Rams have 2+ turnovers in every game this season

Los Angeles is feeling awfully generous so far this season, having coughed up the football at least twice in every game: six interceptions and two lost fumbles in all. If you need to assign a culprit for the team's slow start, look no further.

3. Byron Young showed up when Rams needed him

Entering Week 4, the defense had only three sacks in three games. Young had just one after piling up up a dozen last year. Today, however, the Rams sacked Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts four times, with Young recording 2.5. That includes the game-sealing takedown that set up Philadelphia with a fourth-and-25 deep in its own territory.

4. Davante Adams suffered from rare drops

In the first quarter, the Rams faced a third-and-12 on the Eagles' 22-yard line. Rather than settle for a first down, Stafford threaded a needle to Adams in the end zone. Typically, Adams makes those catches, but this time the ball glanced off his hands.

A pass to Adams to open the second half slipped through his mitts again. He ended the game with four receptions on nine targets for 32 yards. LA needed much more from him in this one.

5. Britain Covey haunts Rams after failing to make team in 2025

Believe it or not, Britain Covey signed with the Rams a year ago but failed to make the team. Well, Los Angeles would love to rethink that release. New return specialist Alex Bachman failed to field a punt that got past him and was downed on LA's seven-yard line. After a Rams three-and-out , Covey returned the ball 41 yards to LA's 17.

He finished with three punt returns for 59 yards. Special-teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone would have loved that level of production in Week 4.

It sure looks like special teams will haunt the Horns all season long.

6. Rams secondary played well, but not when it counted most

The Rams defense allowed only 172 yards and limited Eagles Hurts to 12-of-27 passing for 96 yards. But they did surrender two touchdowns, a poor 2-for-4 showing in the red zone.

Cornerback Trent McDuffie was flagged on consecutive plays, once for pass interference that gave the Eagles a first and goal and a touchdown on the next play.

Perhaps an ugly win is how the Horns will turn the corner this season.

As always, thanks for reading.

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