Eagles vs. Rams: What to Expect in an Early Test of NFC Dominance
The Eagles are back at their home stadium for Week Three. This time the revenge seekers come out of Los Angeles, as the Rams try to get back for their 2024 playoff defeat. These NFC teams are both 2-0 on the 2025 season, and the defenses have led the teams by holding their opponents under 21 points in each game. This match-up will be one to keep an eye on this weekend, as it will likely be the most competitive contest for both the Eagles and the Rams thus far.
For the Rams, Matthew Stafford is keeping the offense dangerous. Last week, he threw for 298 yards against the Titans to defeat them 33-19. His top targets were Davante Adams and Puka Nacua who combined for 22 of his 33 pass attempts, showing just how central they are to the Rams passing attack. Adams scored one touchdown while adding 106 yards to the stat sheet, while Nacua showed his reliability by completing eight of his nine passes for 91 yards and a touchdown of his own. These two receivers will be a test to the Eagles secondary who have shown a bit of struggle in Week One against CeeDee Lamb.
The LA team’s defense, on the other hand, has shown a mix of strength and weaknesses. Against the Titans, the young pass rush overpowered the offensive line to sack Cam Ward five times. However, the Rams have struggled to defend on the ground, and allowed Tony Pollard to put up 92 yards last week. This vulnerability could certainly stir up trouble, as the Eagles offense leans heavily on their run game. Last time these teams met, Saquon Barkley put up an impressive 205 rushing yards, torching the Rams defense.
On the Eagles side, Jalen Hurts' passing game has struggled—he hasn’t topped 300 yards in his last two performances combined. However, he ran for 62 yards and scored two touchdowns in Week One, proving that he is a dual threat who can carry the team on the ground when he needs to. Defensively, Philadelphia came to play in Kansas City last week with two sacks and ten quarterback hits on Patrick Mahomes. Za’Darius Smith led the pass rush and Andrew Mukuba led the secondary. While Mahomes burned the Birds for 66 rushing yards, mobility is not one of Stafford’s strongest assets, meaning the Eagles defense could be even more disruptive this week.
This matchup has all the markings of a true NFC showdown. Expect Philadelphia to depend on their ground game, as Barkley and Hurts could be the deciding factor if the Rams continue to struggle to contain the run. The Rams will likely heavily rely on a passing strategy—Stafford’s connection with Nacua and Adams could expose the vulnerabilities in the Eagles secondary. Both teams have shown elite pass rush success, so the game may come down to whoever controls the clock and pulls away with a big play. Expect the score to be close, with just one or two possessions swinging the fate of the game.
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams both enter 2-0, but only one will leave undefeated. Whoever pulls away with a win this week will have the momentum to shape the NFC standings this early in the season. The Rams are forceful in their aerial attack, while the Eagles are strong on the ground. The defenses have won the game for each team so far, making it interesting to see what Week Three will bring. Playoff revenge is at play, making the battle feel much more intense than September football typically feels. Regardless of the outcome, fans should expect a clash that looks like a postseason preview.
