7 takeaways from the Eagles’ 37-20 win over the Rams on Sunday Night Football

4. Defensive adjustment clamps down on Rams

Los Angeles moved the ball on its first two possessions – 5 plays, 53 yards and then 9 plays, 64 yards and a touchdown to take a 7-3 lead – and then the Eagles rebuilt the defense. It was a litmus test kind of game for this defense, and what happened? Before garbage time late, Los Angeles had 222 total net yards, went 0-for-7 on third down, averaged just 4.4 yards per carry. offensive game, limiting Matthew Stafford to 186 passing yards – 141 net passing yards after accounting for 5 quarterback sacks for -45 yards. Masterful performance by a group that is a force – deep and talented and playing with great confidence.

5. Brandon Graham has a great performance before he got hurt

Great game for defensive end Brandon Graham as he continues to get it done. Graham had a quarterback sack, reached Stafford a second time to tip the ball when he threw it — he had three total quarterback hits — had a pair of tackles for loss, and played with great energy and bounced off the ball. Great performance from Graham who thrashed and had a ball out there at SoFi Stadium.

Unfortunately, Graham told reporters in the locker room after the game that he had a torn triceps muscle. Sirianni said Graham is “one of my favorite guys I’ve ever been able to coach. We’ll see where he’s at. Not ready to talk about it yet. Hold on to hope and we’ll see .”

6. Saquon runs a running game that just keeps delivering

First play of the second half, Barkley takes a pass, starts right, leaps, cuts outside and uses his quickness — excellent blocking from left guard Landon Dickerson, among others — and takes it to the house, an electrifying 70-yard touchdown that gave the Eagles a lead by two scores. He finished the night with an Eagles-record 255 yards, gained yards by contract, eluded defenders and made good decisions. Another game, another dominant performance from Barkley, who added 47 yards on 4 receptions in the passing game. Barkley, the league’s leading rusher (1,392 yards) and yards gained from the line of scrimmage (1,649), headlined a running game that amassed 314 yards and just overpowered the Rams.

• Big decision late in the third quarter: The Eagles accepted a team penalty against Los Angeles at the Philadelphia 14-yard line — linebacker Nakobe Dean was perfect with a blitz, as he was all night — and instead of a fourth-and-3 from there, the Rams were moved 10 yards back and faced a third-and-13 play. Milton Williams reached quarterback Matthew Stafford for a huge sack and then placekicker Joshua Karty pushed a 47-yard field goal attempt wide right and the Eagles held their 27-14 advantage.

• The entire front seven really got after it, providing good pressure on Stafford, doing a nice job against the run and staying disciplined against the Rams’ eye-candy offense. Josh Sweat added a sack, Jalen Carter was disruptive despite extra attention all night, Moro Ojomo won with his departure at the line, and the Eagles stuffed Los Angeles. This is the key stat: Los Angeles was zero for the game (0-for-8) on third downs. Great defensive effort.

• Rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean had their biggest tests against the Rams’ receiving corps and again played very, very well. No wobble. Incredible maturity and excellent technique limited the Rams, who had a +20 yard receiving game (29 yards to Puka Nacua).

• Jake Elliott: 3 field goals and 4 PAT kicks. A perfect night.

• And what about Hurts? He was outstanding, completing 15 of 22 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. He ran when he had a chance, gaining 39 yards on 12 attempts before the late game clock kill and continued drives with accuracy in the passing game. Zero giveaways again, a key figure to remember.