The Eagles’ 2-0 start feels like ages ago after a demoralizing 24-20 home loss to the Rams. This one stings, folks. Philly rolled into the fourth quarter with a double-digit lead, and somehow, they could not hold onto it. Watching that collapse happen, especially at home, it just hits different.
Stafford’s Pick Problem Is Real (Even When He Wins)
Let’s talk about the Rams’ quarterback, Matthew Stafford. On Sunday, he tossed his fifth and sixth interceptions of the season. Think about that for a second: in his 2025 MVP campaign, he didn’t throw his sixth pick until Week 17! If you are wondering why the Rams had to scratch and claw their way back to .500, it all comes back to the guy under center. His mistakes against the Eagles were absolute gifts, handing Philadelphia the short fields their struggling offense needed to score and build that lead.
And this isn’t a new thing. Just last week against Denver, Stafford threw a costly pick-6 late in the game, then followed it up with another interception on the final play. He even threw a bad one in the season opener against the 49ers that completely swung the momentum. His mistakes? Yeah, they have been costly, big time. While he definitely still has some impressive throws left in that golden right arm, and he showed it during that fourth-quarter rally, he has often looked every bit his age this season. He seems to melt whenever pressure knocks him off his spot, and his happy feet have sailed more than a few throws. Both of his picks against the Eagles were textbook examples: he sailed a pass right off wide receiver Konata Mumpfield’s head and into safety Andrew Mukuba’s hands for Philly’s first score, then later threw one over receiver Puka Nacua’s head and straight into cornerback Cooper DeJean’s chest. Even though Stafford finally picked up his first win against Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio since joining the Rams in 2021, it was a real grind. Fangio’s defense just puts a roof on the passing game and shuts down explosives, which makes a guy like Stafford impatient when chunk plays aren’t happening. Eventually, he throws it to the defense. That strategy has worked for Fangio against Stafford, and Sunday was no different, even with the end result.
Injuries Or Not, Philly’s Offense Is In Crisis Mode
But man, the Eagles’ offense was a trainwreck all afternoon. They barely put points on the board unless the Rams basically spotted them a short field. Those four scoring drives? They totaled a pathetic 98 yards. And the other nine drives? They produced a grand total of four first downs. The absolute gut punch? Philly finished the game 0-for-12 on third down. Zero for twelve. Yuck.
Sure, you can point to the injuries, and yeah, they piled up. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith missed the game with a hamstring injury. Right tackle Lane Johnson was a late scratch for “personal reasons.” And running back Saquon Barkley pulled up with a leg injury that knocked him out in the first quarter. Those are tough blows. But seriously, a month into the season, these offensive problems are officially beyond just “tough luck,” they are concerning. Especially with a first-year offensive coordinator trying to get things rolling. What is going on with this unit? They’ve got to figure it out fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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