It looked like a trap. Honestly, everything about the Week 12 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams screamed "danger" for the Birds. You’ve got a red-hot Philly team flying across the country to face a Rams squad that usually finds its rhythm in November. The narrative was set.
Then Saquon Barkley happened.
If you just looked at the final score—37-20—you might think it was a boring blowout. It wasn't. The eagles rams play by play tells a much weirder, more physical story of a game that was won in the dirt before it was won on the highlight reel.
The Fumble That Changed Everything (Early)
The Rams actually started like they were going to drop 40. Matthew Stafford was carving. Kyren Williams was finding lanes. On their opening drive, they marched right into the Eagles' red zone. It felt like Philly’s defense was still on East Coast time.
But then, Isaiah Rodgers—playing because Darius Slay was dealing with an injury—punched the ball out of Kyren Williams' hands.
Nick Sirianni had to throw the challenge flag because the refs missed it initially. It was a gutsy move that early. The replay showed the ball was clearly loose. Nakobe Dean jumped on it. Instead of being down 7-0, the Eagles took over. That single play-by-play sequence essentially sucked the air out of SoFi Stadium, even if it took a while for the scoreboard to reflect it.
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First Half Grinding
People forget that Saquon Barkley only had 73 yards at halftime. That’s a great half for most humans, but for what was about to happen, it was just the appetizer.
- Eagles Field Goal: Jake Elliott knocks through a 21-yarder after the fumble recovery. (3-0 Eagles)
- Rams Answer: Kyren Williams redeems himself with a 1-yard TD plunge. (7-3 Rams)
- The AJ Brown Shift: With under two minutes left in the half, Jalen Hurts finds AJ Brown for a 6-yard score. It was originally called incomplete, but—shoutout to the replay booth again—it was overturned. (13-7 Eagles)
The Second Half Explosion
If the first half was a boxing match, the third quarter was a heavyweight landing a haymaker on the first second of the round.
Literally the first play from scrimmage in the second half.
Saquon Barkley took a handoff, Landon Dickerson absolutely erased a linebacker, and Barkley was gone. 70 yards. Unscathed. It was the kind of run that makes defensive coordinators want to retire on the spot.
The Rams tried to fight back. Stafford hit Demarcus Robinson for a short 2-yard touchdown to make it 20-14, but you could feel the momentum was already wearing a midnight green jersey.
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Breaking the Record
The most insane part of the eagles rams play by play isn't even the first long touchdown. It's the fact that Barkley did it again.
Later in the game, he gashed them for a 72-yarder.
He finished the night with 255 rushing yards. That didn't just win the game; it shattered LeSean McCoy’s franchise record. He also added 47 yards through the air. Total it up: 302 yards from scrimmage. That is "video game on easy mode" territory.
Why the Rams Couldn't Move the Chains
While everyone is talking about Saquon—rightfully so—the real tragedy for LA was their third-down efficiency. Or lack thereof.
The Rams went 0-for-8 on third down.
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Zero.
You cannot beat a high-school team going 0-for-8 on third down, let alone a Jalen Hurts-led juggernaut. Sean McVay looked visible frustrated on the sideline. Stafford was sacked five times. Brandon Graham was playing like he was 22 again before he sadly suffered a triceps injury.
The Eagles' defensive front, led by Jalen Carter and Josh Sweat, basically lived in the Rams' backfield. It’s hard for Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua to do much when their quarterback is staring at the turf every third play.
Key Stats That Mattered
- Total Yards: Eagles 481, Rams 290.
- Rushing Differential: Philly put up 314 yards on the ground. LA had 92.
- Time of Possession: The Eagles held the ball for over 33 minutes.
What This Game Proved
This wasn't just another win. It was the Eagles' seventh straight victory, and it solidified them as the most dangerous team in the NFC. It showed that even when Jalen Hurts isn't throwing for 400 yards (he had a modest 179 and 1 TD), the Eagles can simply "out-physical" you.
For the Rams, it was a reality check. Their young defensive line is talented—Jared Verse is a stud—but they weren't ready for the "body blows" the Eagles offensive line delivers over four quarters.
If you’re looking at the eagles rams play by play for a blueprint on how to beat Philadelphia, you won't find one. You’ll just find a lot of plays where #26 is running away from people who get paid millions of dollars to catch him.
Actionable Insights for the Remainder of the Season:
- Monitor the Eagles' Trenches: Keep an eye on the health of the Eagles' offensive line; as long as they are healthy, Barkley is a lock for 100+ yards.
- Rams Third-Down Woes: If you're betting on or following LA, look at their pass protection adjustments. Until they fix the interior, Stafford is a sitting duck against elite fronts.
- Value the Red Flag: This game was a masterclass in the importance of coaching challenges. Two major scoring swings happened because Sirianni used his flags correctly.