The Los Angeles Rams continue their midseason push this week on Sunday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles. Here are my three bold predictions for tonight’s game.
Colby Parkinson doubles his touchdown output
There was a time this season when Colby Parkinson led the team in targets but since the return of LA’s playmakers Parkinson may not even be the favorite tight end in the locker room any longer. Davis Allen has now outpaced this year’s free agent signing in snap counts two weeks in-a-row, but that could be a thing of the past. Parkinson’s first touchdown of the season may have put him back on top of the depth list and back in favor with Matthew Stafford who could definitely use a 6’7” 265lb target to throw at.
Sean McVay will likely be in his bag for Sunday Night Football against one of the leagues best defenses. Parkinson may not have been as effective as the organization thought he would be following his big signing with the Rams, but when he is on the field it is an absolute mismatch. I believe he will be a big part of the plan this week and will finish the game with two touchdowns.
There will be not one, but two 60+ field goals
Usually when a kicker is suddenly thrust into the limelight it is not a good thing—Joshua Karty found that out quickly. The rookie kicker from Stanford absolutely shanked a 26-yard chip-shot that would have made last week’s game against the New England Patriots less of a nail-biter. Then late in the fourth quarter McVay made the decision to put the game on the defense rather than his kicker when he punted on fourth down instead of trusting Karty to try from 50+ yards out.
“There wasn’t a lot of reason to feel great about…that operation today, and so felt good about the defense thought Ethan (Evans) and our punt team did a good job of being able to pin them (the Patriots) deep. So, knowing that they needed a touchdown…there wasn’t a whole lot of back and forth you know felt pretty convicted in that decision right there.”
Karty has been shaky at times this season but did make five of his six attempts against the Miami Dolphins which were the only points LA could put up in Week 10’s debacle.
The Eagles kicker, Jake Elliot, has also had struggles this season after being one of the league’s best kickers in 2023. He has made just 14 of his 19 attempts and has yet to make a kick from 50+ yards out. Last year he made 30 of his 32 attempts including a 61-yarder against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2 and a 59-yarder in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills.
In a game that could be very close given the way both defenses have played this season, it could come down to the kickers on either side for the win which is why I am predicting that both Karty and Elliot will be good from 60+ yards out.
Saquon Barkley is held to just 70 yards rushing
Saquon Barkley has been on an absolute tear since getting rescued from the New York Giants this offseason. He is currently averaging a league best in yards per game (113.7), total scrimmage yards (1347), and already has 10 touchdowns. Barkley may also have the only recorded backwards hurdle in NFL history. The seven-year veteran is coming off another stellar performance against the Washington Commanders with 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns that were the difference in the game.
Since the bye week the Rams defense have had some great success against the run. They held Aaron Jones to just 58-yards in Week 8, Kenneth Walker to 83-yards in Week 9, De’von Achane to his second lowest rushing performance this season with 37-yards, and last week kept Rhamondre Stevenson to 73-yards on the ground.
Expect Chris Shula to dare Jalen Hurts to throw the ball with a stacked box that will aim to negate some of the damage Barkley can do which is why I am predicting that he has less than 70 yards rushing on the day.
