The Philadelphia Eagles improved to 5-0 after defeating the Los Angeles Rams 23-14 on Sunday. The Eagles defense, which had been criticized for its poor performance in the previous games, stepped up and shut down the Rams offense in the second half.
Eagles Defense Holds Rams Scoreless After Halftime
The Rams started the game with a strong drive, capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp. The Eagles defense looked shaky and unable to stop the Rams’ explosive passing attack. However, the Eagles offense responded with a touchdown of their own, as Jalen Hurts connected with Dallas Goedert for a 15-yard score.
The rest of the first half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging field goals and touchdowns. The Rams took a 14-13 lead into the locker room, after Stafford found Kupp again for a 9-yard score with 17 seconds left in the second quarter.
However, the second half was a different story. The Eagles defense came out with more intensity and pressure, forcing Stafford to make mistakes and disrupting the Rams’ rhythm. The Eagles sacked Stafford four times in the second half, and intercepted him twice. The Rams were held to just 97 yards of offense in the second half, and did not score a single point.
The Eagles offense capitalized on the turnovers and field position, scoring 10 points in the third quarter. Hurts threw his second touchdown pass of the game, a 6-yard strike to Devonta Smith, to give the Eagles a 20-14 lead. Jake Elliott added a 42-yard field goal to make it 23-14.
The fourth quarter was a defensive battle, as neither team could move the ball effectively. The Eagles defense sealed the win with a fourth-down stop at their own 37-yard line with 1:34 left in the game.
Jalen Hurts Continues to Impress as Eagles Quarterback
The Eagles quarterback had another solid game, completing 21 of 28 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 46 yards on eight carries, showing his dual-threat ability. Hurts did not turn the ball over, and made smart decisions with the ball.
Hurts has been one of the reasons for the Eagles’ success this season, as he has shown improvement and consistency in his second year as a starter. He has thrown for 1,238 yards and 11 touchdowns, with only one interception. He has also rushed for 264 yards and three touchdowns.
Hurts has earned the respect and trust of his teammates and coaches, who have praised his leadership and work ethic. He has also impressed fans and analysts, who have ranked him among the top quarterbacks in the league.
Cooper Kupp Remains a Bright Spot for Rams Offense
The Rams wide receiver had another monster game, catching nine passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. He was the only reliable target for Stafford, who struggled to find anyone else open. Kupp has been having a career year, leading the league in receptions (47), receiving yards (653), and receiving touchdowns (8).
Kupp has been Stafford’s favorite weapon since they joined forces this offseason. The two have developed a strong chemistry and rapport, which has translated into big plays on the field. Kupp has been unstoppable in every game, regardless of the coverage or scheme.
Kupp is on pace to break several records this season, including most receptions (141), most receiving yards (1,958), and most receiving touchdowns (24) in a single season. He is also a frontrunner for the Offensive Player of the Year award.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Eagles will look to extend their winning streak to six games when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. The Buccaneers are also 5-0, and feature one of the best offenses in the league led by Tom Brady. The Eagles will need another strong performance from their defense to slow down Brady and his weapons.
The Rams will try to bounce back from their second loss of the season when they travel to New York to face the Giants on Sunday. The Giants are 1-4, and have been plagued by injuries and inconsistency. The Rams will hope to get back on track and keep pace with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West division race.