Unfinished business. It’s only Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season but the Los Angeles Rams are looking to avenge the two of three loses suffered in the past 11 games including last season. That team is the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams are undefeated at 2-0 this season but the onus is on the Rams to beat their current nemesis.
The Rams beat the Tennessee Titans last Sunday, 33-12, to start the season at 2-0 start for the fifth time in nine seasons under head coach Sean McVay. The last time occurred during the 2021 season when they won the Super Bowl. Philadelphia eliminated the Rams, 28-22, in last season’s NFC Division playoff game, stopping a last-minute rally that reached the Eagles’ 13-yard line. But quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked with a 9-yard loss followed by an incomplete pass that ended the Rams 2024 season.
“I realized that we were close in a lot of areas and then a lot of areas we need to clean up as well,” said Stafford when asked about how long it took for him to get over last year’s playoff loss. “It was a difficult loss like they all are, but especially that late in the season for sure. It’s one that sticks with you a little bit.”
The Eagles have won both games this season by a total of seven points. Still brushing off the cobwebs from their championship season, they managed to beat Kansas City, 20-17, on the road in Week 2, doubling down on their win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. The Eagles outlasted their rival Dallas Cowboys, 24-20, in their Week 1 home-opener. Under head coach Nick Sirianni the Eagles have won 20 of their last 23 games.
“Nick (Sirianni) is obviously heavily involved in the offense and Kevin’s (Patullo, Eagles OC) has been heavily involved too. You certainly use that,” responded McVay about learning from the playoff loss. “The two games of inventory are really valuable… but every single year’s a new year. They have some new personnel in different spots, but there are some consistent things.”
Once again, the Rams defense will be put to the test against a balanced Eagle offense yet to realize its potential. Running back Saquon Barkley, 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, is averaging a pedestrian 3.7 yards per carry this season after averaging 5.8 yards per carry last season. In 2024, He gained over 100 yards rushing in 11 of 16 games, and three more during the playoffs. This season he has 148 total yards rushing on 40 carries.
Eagles quarterback Jalen hurts has started the season where he left off last year. So far, he has completed 75.6% of his passes. But only 253 total yards in passing for the first two games has kept his passer rating (88.5) below his career average (93.4). Last season he ranked fifth in the league (102.5) and tenth in quarterback ratings (62.5). He has developed into one of the league’s best offensive game managers under Sirianni, throwing only six interceptions over the past 23 games including the playoffs.
“Jalen takes great care of the football. He can beat you with his arm, legs or his mind. He’s a winner and a great competitor. I have a ton of respect for this football team, said McVay. McVay had this to say about Barkley. “He’s so damn dynamic… He’s so explosive because of the speed and the ability to finish. It’s going to be a big emphasis on playing 11 as one and being able to swarm to the football. Easier said than done, but I know our guys are excited.”
The Rams began shedding their own offensive rust to start the season beginning with a very successful second half against the Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. They scored 23 points before shutting it down late in the game after running back Blake Corum rushed for a 1-yard touchdown with 6:45 remaining in the game. Corum rushed for 46 yards on six carries including four runs for a first down conversion. Kyren Williams led the team with 66 yards rushing, matching his total in the team’s Week 1 win over the Houston Texans.
The good news for Rams fans is the focus of getting wide receiver Davante Adams more involved with the passing game. Adams was targeted 13 times, catching six passes against the Titans for 106 yards and his first touchdown reception with the Rams. The 16-yard touchdown catch gave the Rams an 11-point lead at 9:40 in the 4th quarter.
Puka Nacua continued to shine with a 45-yard sweep run for the game’s opening score in the 1st quarter. Nacua also caught eight of nine targeted passes for 91 yards. He caught 10 of 11 passes in the season opener for 130 yards and one touchdown, further staking the claim as one the league’s best and toughest receivers.
“We have a lot of players at each position, multiple running backs, multiple receivers, multiple tight ends that can make it happen. We know who our quarterback is so anytime we have an opportunity to have a one-on-one, Sean’s going to find that and hopefully we’ll be able to capitalize,” said Adams on facing the Eagles with the offensive depth of the Rams.
Adams spoke about the way Stafford communicates. “He’s the chilliest dude. His whole personality, the way he walks around, the way that he carries himself within a football game, it’s different but it’s awesome. Anytime your fearless leader can go out there and show you better than he tells you, that’s obviously going to affect the rest of the team.”