Niners Nation
Barkley’s success against the Rams last game was one of the best performances of the season
I remember traveling to Lambeau Field earlier this season to watch the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Allen. That night, the Los Angeles Rams hosted the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that read 37-20 on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t as close as the score suggested.
Saquon Barkley ran for 255 yards on 26 carries. He added 47 yards through the air, and looked unstoppable. Barkley ran for over 2,000 yards and has been unstoppable in effectively every game.
The same cannot be said for the Eagles' passing offense, which was subparr last week against Green Bay. Hurts only threw for 2,900 yards this past season and 18 touchdowns. But that underscores how effective his legs were. A.J. Brown is banged up, but this doesn’t feel like a game where the Eagles need their top wideout at full strength. Saquon, Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert should be plenty.
I think Philly scores early and often in this one after looking lethargic last week. This is understandable, given that their quarterback has not played in what felt like an eternity.
Before the playoffs began, I thought the Rams would represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. But I’m pivoting to the Eagles. Los Angeles had to travel to Arizona and back — which is like a 50-minute flight, but you’re aware of what life has been like in Los Angeles with everything they’ve been through in January.
Plus, you have a West Coast team flying cross-country and playing in the cold against a team that received its scare last week. When I picked the Rams, I thought the Eagles would play the game they played last week in the NFC Championship.
But that already happened to the Eagles. The Packers couldn’t take advantage, and that does not bode well for a Rams team that can’t stop outside runs and only has one capable receiver since Cooper Kupp looks like a shell of himself.
Sean McVay will score a couple of times. He’ll attack the middle of the Eagles’ defense without Nakobe Dean, but this game will likely be closer to 37-20 than 17-14 in favor of the home team.
