Against the Eagles, the Rams say that ‘humility is only one play away’ for both teams
With both teams looking to get back to winning ways after a Week 3 loss, Rams coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford, and wide receiver Davante Adams spoke on their expectations for Sunday.
The Eagles don’t have too much time to dwell on a demoralizing first loss of the season on Monday night. Not with the Los Angeles Rams here on Sunday (1 p.m., Fox29).
The first game at Lincoln Financial Field since Week 1 finds both teams heading into this game with something to prove, with the Rams losing last week as well to the Broncos.
During a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s practice, Rams coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams detailed where their focus is before traveling to Philly.
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The trio focused on injuries, veteran leadership, and their offense getting through the Birds’ physical defense.
“They’re always a tough out, especially at their place,” Stafford said. “Obviously, they have guys on that team who have done really special things in this league ... It’s always a challenge going up against them, both offensively and defensively, but also from a personal standpoint. They have great players.”
The veteran quarterback pointed directly to the Birds’ defensive line, describing the Eagles as a team that “plays [an] extremely physical upfront, penetrating style of defensive line.”
Physicality could be an important factor against a Rams offense that struggled to finish drives last week in a close game, scoring only one touchdown.
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“We want to stay ahead of the chains to be efficient, both in the run game and the pass game,” Stafford said.
One of the biggest developments going into Sunday is the return of Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua, a weapon who could potentially break through the Eagles’ defense given some injuries to key players.
McVay said that he expects Nacua to play against the Eagles after the wide receiver missed the past two games with a hip injury. Nacua led the NFL with 129 catches last season and finished with 1,715 receiving yards.
Sean Mannion was also a hot topic for the Rams, due to his ties in Los Angeles.
The offensive coordinator spent the first part of his NFL career as a quarterback with the Rams after the team drafted him in 2015. Mannion was on McVay’s roster during the 2017 and 2018 seasons before eventually moving into coaching, with the Rams coach showing his respect for his former player during the press conference.
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“It’s cool to be able to see him in a great opportunity, a big-time job,” McVay said.
Adams spoke last in the conference and assured both Rams and Eagles fans that one loss doesn’t define a season or even change the cutthroat mentality they have as they prepare for the matchup.
“Humility is one play away if you’re sleeping on somebody, so we don’t take anybody lightly at the end of the day,” Adams said.
