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From Mac Jones to Sam Howell, Kirk Cousins to Baker Mayfield, the Eagles haven’t faced an elite quarterback this season.
That will change Sunday when Matt Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams entertain the Eagles (4:05 p.m., FOX, WIP 94.1-FM) at SoFi Stadium.
The Eagles will do so without the services of defensive tackles Fletcher Cox (back) and Marlon Tuipulotu (triceps), defensive back Sydney Brown (hamstring) and right guard Cam Jurgens (foot), the latter out a minimum of four weeks after being placed on injured reserve.
None of that is news to an Eagles squad favored to start 5-0 for the second straight season. But the absences are significant. Especially in the case of Cox, who hasn’t missed a start due to injury since the 2015 campaign.
“It’s been a long time,” veteran defensive end and captain Brandon Graham said. “We’ve talked about it. He’s not worried because he knows he’ll get the guys ready, and the guys are excited for more time. Fletch knows we’re going to go out there and take care of business and do it for him. It sucks he can’t go out there with us, but I feel the guys will step up in a big way, and this is their opportunity to show what’s to come for them.”
Look for rookie defensive tackle Moro Ojomo (6-2, 292), the seventh round pick out of Texas to make his NFL debut. Ojomo was selected with the pick the Eagles received in a package deal from Detroit for D’Andre Swift.
To make life miserable for Stafford, whose arm talent and look-away passes are legend even to the young defenders, the Eagles need a push up the middle. Stafford isn’t nearly as effective when flushed from the pocket and at age 35, doesn’t get around like he used to. He’s thrown five interceptions for the Rams (2-2), who like the Eagles, are coming off a walk-off victory in overtime.
Stafford has found quick comfort with rookie receiver Puka Nacua, who leads the NFL with 39 receptions. Unless head coach Sean McVay is bluffing, all-world receiver Cooper Kupp will see his first action of the season since going on injured reserve with a hamstring issue.
Reliable tight end Tyler Higbee and running back Kyren Williams, who ranks among the league leaders with five scoring runs, add to the weaponry around Stafford.
The Eagles’ secondary needs to have a solid day, starting with veteran Bradley Roby, who the Eagles hope to supply instant relief at the nickel. Though Roby was hard at work learning the Philly scheme, he saw enough of the Rams to realize the challenge ahead.
“I understand what the Rams are trying to do, kind of tight formations, run the ball, play-action, over sevens,” Roby said. “It’s a great scheme because they are plugging guys in and making things happen.”
The Eagles know what to expect out of quarterback Jalen Hurts, who among other feats needs one rushing score to become the third quarterback ever with at least 30 rushing touchdowns in his first four seasons. The others are Cam Newton (33) and Josh Allen (31).
Wide receiver A.J. Brown is coming off a season-best game of nine receptions for 175 yards and two scores. Brown’s seven receptions for first downs ranked among the leaders last week. Since the start of 2022, his first season as an Eagle, he’s averaged a touchdown every 8.0 receptions.
Minus Jurgens, who had just found his groove up front, the Eagles got a stellar game last week from Sua Opeta. He’s paid his dues and may just be an upgrade over Jurgens, who is more comfortable at center.
Opeta, center Jason Kelce and right tackle Lane Johnson will have to monitor elite defensive tackle Aaron Donald each snap in order for Hurts to run the offense properly. Donald, 31, is in his 10th season. That’s an eternity for a defensive tackle, much as it has been for Cox.
The wild card in this game, Eagles rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter, is eager to show fans that he might not be the next Donald, as some have touted him, but he’s for real.
“It amazes me that anybody plays as long as he can,” Carter said. “It’s very amazing. He is still doing what he did when he first got into the league. It’s awesome.”
In time, Carter could well be the captain who replaces Cox for the opening coin flip. Until then, winning is the most important thing for Carter and the Eagles.
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