PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-2) at RAMS (5-5)
When: 5:20 p.m. Sunday
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: NBC/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 225, 226
Line: Eagles by 3.5
Notable injury designations
Eagles: OUT: WR Devonta Smith (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: WR Britain Covey (shoulder).
Rams: OUT: CB Charles Woods (ankle), OL K.T. Leveston (ankle). DOUBTFUL: OL Rob Havenstein (ankle).
What’s at stake? The Rams need a win to keep pace in the bunched-up NFC West. They currently sit a game behind the Cardinals and tied with the 49ers and Seahawks for second place. Arizona and Seattle play each other this week while San Francisco travels to Green Bay.
Who’s better? The records can do a lot of the talking for themselves, but it’s the Eagles. While the Rams have certain groups that are clear strengths for one side of the ball or the other, the Eagles have talent across the board. There’s no weak spot to find on the offense; the defense consists of a talented front and a versatile, highly regarded secondary.
Matchup to watch: Rams’ pass rush vs. Eagles’ offensive line. Even without the retired Jason Kelce, the Philadelphia line is a savvy, veteran bunch. Tackle Lane Johnson is still playing like an All-Pro at 34, not allowing a sack all season. Landon Dickerson continues to be a bear at guard, and Cam Jurgens has taken over admirably for Kelce at center. The Rams’ pass rush is playing its best football of the season, but the Eagles are the best line it has faced thus far. Combine that with elusive quarterback Jalen Hurts, and it will be imperative for the Rams to win on the front and take away any lines of escape.
Rams win if: They again don’t allow a sack for the fourth time in five games, the previous three of which the Rams won. … They can limit running back Saquon Barkley to less than 100 yards on the ground (the Eagles are 2-2 when Barkley doesn’t break 100 this season). … The Rams limit themselves to four penalties after averaging seven the past three weeks.
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Fantasy sleeper: WR Demarcus Robinson. The veteran has been quiet the past two weeks. But with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua demanding attention from the Eagles after combining for 229 yards and three touchdowns last week in defeating the Patriots, this could be a week when Robinson gets better opportunities.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Rams 20. Beat reporter’s record: 7-3 for the season; 5-5 against the spread.