Eagles vs. Rams: 14 winners, 4 losers, 2 IDKs

The Philadelphia Eagles are 9-2 after beating the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night!

Time to hand out some winners, losers, and IDKs.

(Sorry for the delay.)

SAQUON BARKLEY
I think we’re running out of ways to properly comprehend how good Barkley is? He’s simply unreal. Three letters might be most succinct: MVP.

Barkley ran all over the Rams with 26 carries for a career-high 255 yards (an insane 9.8 average) and two touchdowns. He also had four catches for 47 yards to bring him up to 302 yards from scrimmage, a new Eagles single-game franchise record and the ninth-most by any player in NFL history.

Barkley is currently logging 149.9 yards from scrimmage per game. Only nine single-season performances top this number:

1) Priest Holmes in 2002 with 163.4 (Offensive Player of the Year, 4th in MVP voting)
2) O.J. Simpson in 1975 with 160.2 (2nd in OPOY, 2nd in MVP)
3) Le’Veon Bell in 2016 with 157.0 (6th in OPOY)
4) Chris Johnson in 2009 with 156.8 (OPOY)
5) Marshall Faulk in 2000 with 156.4 (OPOY, MVP)
6) Marshall Faulk in 2001 with 153.4 (OPOY, 2nd in MVP)
7) Jim Brown in 1963 with 152.2 (2nd in MVP)
8) Marshall Faulk in 1999 with 151.8 (OPOY, 2nd in MVP)
9) Walter Payton in 1977 with 151.5 (MVP, OPOY)

Barkley is logging 6.2 yards per carry. Only two running backs have ever averaged more in a single season: Jim Brown at 6.4 in 1963 and Jamaal Charles at 6.4 in 2010.

Barkley’s on pace for 2,151 rushing yards, which would surpass Eric Dickerson’s NFL single-season record set at 2,105 in 1984.

Barkley is arguably having the best season by an Eagles player … EVER!

Adrian Peterson, the last running back to win MVP, had 144.6 yards from scrimmage per game in 2012.

Saquon Barkley is at 149.9 yards from scrimmage per game this season.#Eagles

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) November 25, 2024

Since 2000, Saquon Barkley is the only Eagles player to have five 50+ yard rushes in a season.

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) November 25, 2024

THE EAGLES’ OFFENSIVE LINE
Barkley’s historic night was aided by a strong showing from the Eagles’ offensive line.

The Rams were allowing 127.3 rushing yards per game. Taking out two Kenny Pickett kneels, the Eagles logged 43 rushes for 316 yards (7.3 average) and three touchdowns.

Entering Week 12, the Rams were averaging the 11th-most sacks per game with 2.7. The Eagles held them to one.

Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Jared Verse did have a highlight moment where he pancaked Jordan Mailata (though he may have been offside?). But he was kept without a quarterback hit for just the fourth time this season.

Jeff Stoutland and his students kicked ass.

Jordan Mailata was PFF’s second-highest graded offensive lineman from Week 12. Mekhi Becton ranked 29th out of 135 players while Landon Dickerson was 37th.

The combination of Barkley and this line is lethal. They’re the team’s offensive identity.

BRANDON GRAHAM
BG suffering a season-ending — and perhaps career-ending — injury is devastating.

He’s been awesome and incredibly impactful this year.

Take the sequence where the Rams were driving late in the third quarter for example. Facing 2nd-and-1, LA went with a run that Graham directly disrupted to set up a TFL for his teammates. Facing 3rd-and-3, Zack Baun broke up a Matthew Stafford pass that ended up counting for no play since Nick Sirianni accepted a holding penalty (after originally declining it, which we’ll get to later). Facing 3rd-and-13, Stafford got sacked. The Rams then attempted a 47-yard field goal that was no good. The Eagles immediately responded with a made field goal to make it a 16-point game. All of that was set up by a huge play by BG.

And that was just one great play by him. He had plenty of others as he finished with one sack, two TFLs, and a team-high three quarterback hits.

The Eagles are undoubtedly going to miss the energy that Graham brings to the table, though he’ll still be around the team to provide as much of that as he can without playing. But they’re also really going to miss him on the field. Take it for what it’s worth but he’s PFF’s 19th-highest graded edge rusher this season.

On one hand, I hope we haven’t seen the last of Graham. He was playing so well this season that it seemed like he should definitely come back in 2025. It doesn’t feel like we got a proper goodbye.

On the other hand, I do hope we’ve seen the last of Graham if it means the Eagles win the Super Bowl and allow him to go out on top.

There’s so much more to say about BG that we’ll get to in more depth at another time. For now, I just want to reiterate a previous sentiment: Brandon Graham is THE quintessential Philadelphia Eagle.

Between making the biggest play in franchise history, being an awesome human being by all accounts, playing the most games ever played by an Eagle, having an incredible underdog story, becoming part of the local fabric by deciding to plant roots in the Philadelphia area … you just add it all together and he’s Mr. Eagle.

He’s not the best player they’ve ever had. But he is the most defining. If “Philadelphia Eagles” was included in the dictionary with an accompanying picture, it should be Brandon Graham’s face you see.

Legend.

Eagles all-time sack leaders

1) Reggie White: 124
2) Trent Cole: 85.5
3) Brandon Graham: 76.5
4) Clyde Simmons: 76
5) Fletcher Cox: 70

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) November 25, 2024

VIC FANGIO
Last week, I mentioned how Fangio is the Eagles’ new Jim Johnson. This week, the Eagles achieved a feat that hasn’t been done since … Jim Johnson.

Vic Fangio’s defense has held opponents under 300 total yards for 7 straight games.

It’s the Eagles’ longest streak since 2008, which was Jim Johnson’s final season as Eagles DC.

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) November 25, 2024

The Eagles allowed 14 points in this game prior to the Rams’ late garbage time touchdown when Philly had a number of backup players in. Things looked a little dicey early on with the Rams not even facing a third down on their first two drives … but Fangio quickly adjusted.

Fangio continues to own boy wonder Sean McVay.

JALEN HURTS
Once again, Hurts did not put the ball in harm’s way.

Since the Week 5 bye, Hurts has only turned it over twice. He’s accounted for 18 total touchdowns, one interception, and one lost fumble over his last seven starts. That’s a winning brand of football.

Hurts successfully managed to not drop his eyes and give the Rams’ pass rush more opportunities to get to him. He often stepped up against the rush, avoiding pressure to either deliver a pass or take off running.

His final numbers: 15/22, 68.2% completion, 179 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 108.0 passer rating … 12 runs, 39 yards.

Hurts didn’t do the heavy-lifting. And there’s probably going to be times where he’s going to have to do exactly that in order for the Eagles to win the Super Bowl.

For now, though, the formula works: be efficient, don’t turn the ball over.

A.J. BROWN
Yet another boringly excellent game from A.J.

He caught six of his seven targets for 109 yards (18.2 average) and a touchdown.

Five of his six receptions resulted in first downs. The other resulted in a TD.

48 of Brown’s yards (so, 44%) were a result of YAC. The Rams had a tough time tackling him.

And he did this without the Rams’ defense having to also worry about DeVonta Smith, who missed the game due to a hamstring injury.

JALEN CARTER
Carter had one solo tackle and zero other stats.

Of course, Carter’s impact went way beyond the box score.

As mentioned by the broadcast, NFL Next Gen Stats showed that Carter was being double-teamed at a career-high rate. Despite this, he still caused regularly disruption that his other teammates were able to capitalize on.

Making matters even more impressive is that Carter was able to be a big factor despite never leaving the field. He’s a monster.

According to @NextGenStats, Jalen Carter played 114 consecutive snaps between Week 10 and last night before sitting in the fourth quarter.

It goes without saying that was the longest streak for a defensive tackle this season. It’s almost unbelievable. #Eagles

— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) November 25, 2024

MILTON WILLIAMS
Wiliams certainly took advantage of the extra attention on Carter. He finished the night with a career-high two sacks to go with two TFLs and three total QB hits.

Williams is doing well for himself in a contract year. He’s up to five sacks in 11 games played this season after only logging 6.5 sacks in his first 50 games played.

It’s unclear if the Eagles will re-sign him. But that’s a discussion for the offseason. For now, the Eagles are getting good production from their second defensive tackle (in terms of snaps played).

NAKOBE DEAN
Stud performance by Dean, who filled up the box score: team-high eight total tackles, team-high five solo tackles, two TFLs, one sack, and a fumble recovery. Dean was also credited with a team-high six “stops,” which are defined as tackles that constitute a failure for the offense.

The highlight play was when Dean absolutely steam-rolled Kyren Williams in pass protection to get to Stafford. I know I’ve said it eleventy billion times by now but he’s such a violent force to be reckoned with when he’s operating downhill.

COOPER DEJEAN
DeJean had two great pass breakups in this game.

The first came against Cooper Kupp and prompted the Rams’ first punt:

The second came downfield against Puka Nacua and it contributed to a Rams drive where they ran 10 plays for just 13 yards and had to punt.

ISAIAH RODGERS
Filling in for an injured Darius Slay, Rodgers forced a fumble to stop the Rams’ promising first drive and ultimately set up an Eagles field goal.

Rodgers also had really good downfield coverage on Nacua for what should’ve been a 3rd-and-16 stop if not for the referees inventing a defensive pass interference penalty on him that didn’t actually happen.

With Slay in the concussion protocol, it’s possible Rodgers might have to start in Week 13. Having a fourth cornerback you can count on to come in and play well is a pretty nice thing to have. Rodgers is only allowing a 79.8 passer rating when targeted this season.

KENNY GAINWELL
Kenny G’s 13-yard touchdown run got him in the end zone for the first time since November 5, 2023. That had to feel good.

JAKE ELLIOTT
Elliott wasn’t majorly tested. He made field goals from 21, 31, and 26 yards out (in that order). He also made all four of his extra point kicks.

Still, good to see that he doesn’t totally have the yips following the worst performance of his career. This game could’ve served as a confidence boost for the Eagles’ kicker.

ALSHON JEFFERY
Shout out to Super Bowl LII champion Alshon Jeffery for showing up to the game and hanging out with the team in the locker room afterwards as well. That’s a sweet custom 2017 jacket he’s got on. Feels like it’s been a minute since we’ve seen Alshon in public.

LOSERS
THE REFS
Not to be a ref guy … but to totally be a ref guy … there was some garbage officiating in this game.

It started early with the officials originally calling the Isaiah Rodgers forced fumble a non-fumble. I mean, it wasn’t even close, the ball was out while Kyren Williams was upright. It wasn’t like he was super closer to be down. The Eagles had to use a challenge that they shouldn’t have had to use. Had the Eagles challenged another call and got it wrong, they would’ve been out of challenges for the game. Fortunately, that didn’t happen … but the refs’ incompetence allowed that potential scenario to exist. And how weren’t the officials more ready for Sirianni potentially throwing a challenge flag there?

As previously mentioned, the refs made up a defensive pass interference penalty on Rodgers that didn’t exist. And that was a huge swing with a 4th-and-16 at the plus 34-yard line turning into 1st-and-goal at the 3-yard line, where the Rams would score their second touchdown two plays later to make it a six-point game earlyish in the third quarter. (Note: I think the Rodgers penalty was a worse call than the penalty on Darius Slay since the veteran CB actually hooked the WR, even if it was slight. But if you disagree, hey, I’m not here to say the refs did great.)

The “unnecessary roughness” call on Landon Dickerson was a joke. This kind of shoving happens in football all the time. AND THE REF STARING RIGHT AT IT HAPPENING WASN’T EVEN THE ONE WHO THREW THE FLAG. Apologies for the all caps but that’s a huge pet peeve of mine. Let the ref who has the best view make the call! How is someone with a worse view getting to make that decision!? The flag wiped out a Rams DPI penalty that would’ve given the Eagles 1st-and-goal again instead of having 3rd-and-goal at the 8-yard line.

The Eagles weren’t the only team hurt by poor officiating. Allowing Sirianni to change a declined penalty was a mistake by them (though perhaps a make-up effort for previous bad calls against the Eagles?!).

But, man, this crew was not good.

GIANTS CO-OWNER JOHN MARA
“I’ll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia, I’ll tell you that.”

Dude probably hasn’t slept all season long. Must be exhausted.

DARIUS SLAY
The Rams weren’t shy to throw at Slay; they targeted him five times on just 18 coverage snaps played. Only DeJean was targeted more often at nine times on 44 coverage snaps.

PFF marked Slay down for four catches, 39 yards, and a 99.2 passer rating allowed when targeted. The veteran cornerback also committed two penalties and missed one tackle.

Slay left the game early and is now in the concussion protocol. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to play in Week 13.

SYDNEY BROWN
When Reed Blankenship got banged up on the Rams’ first drive, the Eagles put Tristin McCollum — and not Sydney Brown — in at safety. That was pretty interesting and not expected. One would’ve thought Brown was higher in the pecking order, especially since McCollum has been a healthy scratch in recent weeks. But perhaps this was a sign that Vic Fangio doesn’t totally trust Brown to play on defense yet.

PFF marked Brown responsible for the garbage-time touchdown that the Rams scored late in the fourth quarter.

I DON’T KNOWS
NICK SIRIANNI
I still don’t know how to properly parse the credit Sirianni deserves.

The Eagles are winning a lot with him as the head coach. That’s pretty important! He seems to be nailing the culture stuff with the vibes being really good:

I liked Sirianni’s decision to line up to go for it on 4th-and-1 from the Eagles’ own 18-yard line while up 16 points with 4:19 left in the fourth quarter. And I’m not just saying that because the Eagles successfully drew the Rams offside (which, to Sirianni’s credit, is something the Eagles practice frequently). I would’ve said it was the right call even if the Eagles went for it and it didn’t work out (just like I did when I credited Sirianni for his aggression in a similar kind of situation against the Miami Dolphins last year).

I did not like Sirianni’s decision to kick a field goal from 4th-and-goal at the 3-yard line on the Eagles’ first drive. I did not like how he opted against going for a two-point conversion when he could’ve made it a seven-point game after their first touchdown or a 14-point game after their second touchdown. Nor his decision to not a call timeout late in the second quarter after Dean’s sack brought up 3rd-and-13 at the minus 27-yard line for the Rams. Why didn’t he trust a defense that had just forced back-to-back punts and allowed just -3 yards on six plays? Instead of getting the ball back with about a minute left, the Eagles only had 33 seconds to work with. And that end of half sequence was pretty bizarre with a fourth down QB draw (which seemingly was a Hurts audible, in fairness) leading to a turnover on downs to give the Rams a shot at a Hail Mary. This was hardly the first example of a mismanaged end of first half sequence this year.

There was also that weird moment where Sirianni originally declined a penalty to make it 4th-and-3 for the Rams but he changed his mind once he saw them going for it and accepted the holding penalty to make it 3rd-and-13. It’s certainly not his fault the refs messed up by allowing him to do that; kudos to him for getting them to acquiesce. And the decision worked out well with the Eagles getting a sack, which then led to a missed field goal attempt. But had the refs held him to his original decision, the Rams might’ve been able to get three yards for a first down. We can’t say for sure. But given the way the Eagles’ defense/pass rush was playing, and knowing the Rams have had kicker issues, he probably should’ve accepted the flag from the jump to try to force that longer FG situation?

I just don’t think Sirianni is acing the in-game management part of the job like he should be. It hasn’t mattered as much since the Eagles have had a relatively large margin for error lately. But there’s going to come a time sooner than later when these decisions matter a lot more and it could be the difference between winning/losing.

QUINYON MITCHELL
This wasn’t one of Mitchell’s best games if we’re measuring him by the incredibly high bar he’s set as a rookie. He gave up a few catches and even allowed a touchdown for the first time in his career! Bust! Cut him!

Not quite.

1) That TD came in garbage time. 2) PFF actually assigned the blame on that one to Sydney Brown, who wasn’t in position to provide safety help.

For the most part, it felt like Stafford wasn’t really willing to throw Mitchell’s way. Probably a good call. At one point, Q actually broke up a pass on a ball that wasn’t thrown to the guy he was covering.

Still, I don’t know that Mitchell really boosted his stock for Defensive Rookie of the Year in this game. And it felt like it would’ve been a big opportunity for him to do so with Jared Verse, who had the flashy rep where he pancaked Mailata (who rarely loses to pure power like that as much as he’s susceptible to speed rushes if anything), also playing in the prime-time spotlight.

Current DROY odds via FanDuel:

Jared Verse -160
Quinyon Mitchell +260
Braden Fiske +900
Chop Robinson +1600
Cooper DeJean +1800
Laiatu Latu +1800