Final Rams injury report for Week 12 is a classic case of glass half empty or full

Rams injury report - glass half full

I had covered some of the struggles that the Rams secondary faced early in the season. This has most certainly been a work-in-process, as the team has had to reform the secondary around those defensive backs who were healthy in any given week. That created a chaotic set of circumstances for the early games, as the team had to make do with healthy players.

As the team has gained experience and a more robust and healthy secondary, the defense has begun to stiffen. Huge gains have eroded in volume and intensity. Now, the Rams defense is beginning to elevate its game somewhat. But will all of the weapons at the Eagles disposal, they felt outgunned and understaffed.

But has that changed?

It may have. One of the most effective Eagles wide receivers, DeVonta Smith, has been ruled out for Week 12. And that could have a huge impact on the outcome of the game.

While the Eagles offense is still quite formidable with WR A.J. Brown, TE Dallas Goedert, and RB Saquon Barkley, Smith has been an incredibly effective aerial option for the Eagles. He leads the team in receiving touchdowns with four, is second on the team witn 516 receiving yards, and he has been a vital counterbalance to an offense to keep their chains moving.

The Rams have the ability to play respectable pass coverage on one target. But the secondary has struggled to corral multiple receivers in the secondary. While I would not count on Smith's absence to assure a Rams victory, it does lend a less steep path to one.

The Philadelphia Eagles have a comfortable lead in the NFC East. And they would need a lot of dominoes to fall the right way for them to claim the Top-Seed in the NFC for the 2025 NFL Playoffs. So in terms of vital importance, this game is not nearly as crucial to their postseason plans.

But it certainly is for the Rams. The Arizona Cardinals face the Seattle Seahawks this week. And a banged up San Francisco 49ers team must travel to face a tough Green Bay Packers team. A win by the Rams could launch them into a tie for first place in the NFC West Division.

Do you see the glass as half-empty or half-full? As always, thanks for reading.

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