Eagles vs. Rams Week 4 Preview: Odds and Matchup

The Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) will try to get back in the win column at home against the NFC’s favorite on Sunday, Oct. 4, taking on the Los Angeles Rams at 1 p.m. Neither team has lived up to expectations so far this season: Philadelphia’s offense hasn’t settled in under new coordinator Sean Marrion, while the Rams have dropped two of their first three games despite entering the year as one of the top picks to win the Super Bowl.

The Eagles are slight home underdogs, listed at +150 on the money line. ESPN Analytics have them winning 36 percent of simulations, while the point spread and over/under sit at +3.5 and 42.5, respectively.

Expect cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-60s. Early morning showers should clear up before the opening kickoff, but wind gusts up to 17 miles per hour could affect both the passing and kicking games in this matchup on FOX.

Eagles’ Outlook

The Eagles endured a hideous 27-7 loss to the Case Keenum-led Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football last week. Quarterback Jalen Hurts missed part of the game after absorbing a huge hit on the sideline, but a full game from him likely wouldn’t have changed the outcome. With five passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and three interceptions through three games this season, Hurts is far from playing his best football.

The absence of tight end Dallas Goedert, currently recovering from a sprained MCL, hasn’t done anything to help the Eagles’ passing offense. Hurts is averaging 206 passing yards and 29 rushing yards per game; lead running back Saquan Barkley (34 carries for 174 yards) is picking up more than five yards per carry but has looked shaky outside of a couple long runs and is also banged up.

Even worse, lead receiver DeVonta Smith will miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury. Dontayvion Wicks (nine catches for 179 yards and a touchdown) is the next man up, and tertiary pass catchers like first round pick Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper will need to step up if the Eagles hope to rebound.

With no interceptions, three sacks and 13 tackles for loss, the Eagles’ defense isn’t quite where one might expect. That could prove problematic with reigning MVP Matthew Stafford coming to town.

Rams’ Outlook

After a 27-7 thrashing at the hands of their rival 49ers in Australia, the Rams took their anger out on a depleted Giants team 28-6 in Week 2; they then blew a 16-point lead to the Broncos on Sunday Night Football last week. They’ve aired it out so far, with Stanford averaging 37 pass attempts and 22 completions per game: he has 872 yards so far and, with six touchdowns to four interceptions doesn’t yet look like his MVP-caliber self.

Davante Adams (18 catches for 358 yards and two touchdowns) is Stafford’s top target and should have an intriguing duel with Eagles’ cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen and Cooper DeJean, while embattled receiver Puka Nacua will return to the field against the Eagles.

Running backs Kyren Williams (38 carries for 214 yards and a touchdown) and Blake Corum (28 carries for 148 yards) give the Rams a dangerous 1-2 punch on the ground; Williams also has more than 100 receiving yards. Los Angeles’ defense has three sacks, seven tackles for loss and three interceptions, struggling much like the Eagles have.