The Eagles (2-1) are hosting the Rams (1-2) in an NFC battle on Sunday afternoon at the Linc. Here are some key matchups to watch: Vic Fangio vs. Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford It wasn’t a very good game for Vic Fangio and the Eagles’ defense against Ben Johnson’s Bears offense in We ek 3. They let 38-year-old Case Keenum sit in the pocket and pick them apart all night. And things don’t get any easier in Week 4 against another 38-year-old QB. Sure, the Rams are 1-2 through three games but they have the NFL’s No. 1 overall offense and are second in passing. Matthew Stafford is coming off an MVP season and through two games has already thrown for 872 yards with 6 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. A weird stat: The Eagles are 2-6 in their last eight games against starting QBs who are 38 or older. The Eagles and Rams have had some great battles in recent seasons but the Eagles are 3-0 against them since the start of the 2024 season, including that divisional round game a couple years ago. (And if you go even deeper, the Eagles have won 10 of their last 11 matchups against the Rams dating back to 2005.) The Eagles were able to keep Stafford under 200 passing yards last September and Zack Baun got the party started with an interception on the first drive of the game. Fangio has historically been very good against Sean McVay so maybe this will be a bounce-back game for the Eagles’ defense. They could use it. Eagles linebackers vs. Kyren Williams While the Eagles held Stafford in check in their matchup last season, Kyren Williams did rush for 94 yards on 20 carries and Blake Corum added 53 yards on 8 carries. Through three games, Williams has 214 rushing yards and a career-high 5.6 average. He has had 1,100+ yards and 10+ touchdowns in each of his last three seasons. While the Eagles’ defense got shredded by Keenum in Week 3, it performed better against the run and that will be key in this game. The problem for the Eagles is that Zack Baun is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol. That means we will likely see Jeremiah Trotter Jr. next to Jihaad Campbell to start this game. The Eagles have confidence in Trotter but Baun is one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL and the Eagles will miss him if he’s not out there. Eagles corners vs. Davante Adams and Puka Nacua Rams star receiver Puka Nacua has been dealing with a hip and groin injury but is expected to return on Sunday, although there’s a chance he won’t be his normal explosive self. It really matters if Nacua is on the field, but in his absence Davante Adams has turned back the clock. The 32-year-old six-time Pro Bowler already has 18 catches for 358 yards and 2 touchdowns. In the Rams’ only win of the season in Week 2 against the Giants, Adams had 8 catches for 195 yards. He then followed it up with a 137-yard performance in a Week 3 loss to the Broncos. The Eagles this season have two excellent cover corners on the outside in Quinyon Mitchell and Riq Woolen. Because of that, Fangio is having those two stay on their respective sides. Mitchell is the right cornerback and Woolen is the left. So the opposing team gets to pick their poison. If Mitchell lines up on Adams, it’ll be a fun matchup. According to NextGen Stats, Mitchell lined up against Adams 21 times in Week 3 last year and 15 of those came in man coverage; Mitchell gave up just 2 catches on 5 targets for 12 yards. Eagles guards vs. Aaron Donald This will be Aaron Donald’s third game back since his return from retirement and the 35-year-old will be facing one of the weaker position groups on this Eagles’ offensive line. In two games, Donald has just 4 tackles and just 2 pressures. But that’s still Aaron Freaking Donald and the Eagles better have a plan for him. (Donald has missed the first two practices of the week with a back injury, so his status is in question.) They always did when Jeff Stoutland was the offensive line coach. In fact, Donald has spoken publicly about how tough it was to face the Eagles. Donald has not recorded a sack in five career games against the Eagles; the Eagles and the Jets are the only team he has never gotten. While Drew Kendall has been a nice surprise at the center position, both guards have struggled, especially Cam Jurgens. The former Pro Bowl center has allowed a team-high 14 pressures (11 at LG) through three weeks, according to NextGen Stats. The good news for the Eagles is that they won’t have to worry about Myles Garrett in this game. Garrett is on IR after having knee surgery last month and the earliest he can return is Week 6. But the Rams still have other good players on that line. Byron Young is leading the team with 14 pressures, double the next closest Rams player (Josaiah Stewart with 7). They also still have Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner inside. It’s still a good line. DeVonta Smith vs. Trent McDuffie  Through three games, DeVonta Smith has been targeted 27 times and has 19 catches for 235 yards and a touchdown. He’s 11th in the NFL in receiving. What really stands out is just how much the Eagles are going to Smith. He has gotten 32.9% of the Eagles’ targets, which is the second-highest target share in the NFL behind just Jaxon Smith-Njigba (37.9%) for the reigning Super Bowl champions. The Eagles are also playing Smith outside a ton and are using him in isolation on one side more than we have ever seen. That sets up a fun battle with Trent McDuffie on Sunday … if Smith can play. The Eagles’ receiver has been listed as a non participant the first two days of the week with a hamstring injury. That’s obviously something to monitor. McDuffie ended up following Jaylen Waddle against the Broncos — even into the slot — and it would make sense if McDuffie is charged with following Smith on Sunday afternoon. The Rams acquired McDuffie for a first-round pick (and other compensation) back in March and he has lived up to his billing early in the season. McDuffie this season has been targeted 15 times and has given up just 4 catches for 52 yards with an interception and an opposing passer rating of just 13.8. If McDuffie is on Smith, then the Eagles are going to have a major advantage on the other side because Rams CB Jaylen Watson is likely going to miss this game with a shoulder injury. Look for Josh Wallace and Emmanuel Forbes to replace him. Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon could be a big part of this game if they’re able to beat them. Saquon Barkley vs. Rams run defense The Eagles found success on the ground against the Bears on Monday night … then it dried up. Barkley looked healthy coming off a stinger and rushed for 73 yards on 11 carries in the first half. But then had just 4 carries for 9 yards in the second half. We’ve said it a million times but for the Eagles to reach their potential in 2026, it’s important that Barkley is able to get going. That obviously starts up front. Because when there’s room, Barkley is still a dynamic player. On the 20 carries where Barkley has been able to avoid contact behind the line of scrimmage, he has 160 yards and is averaging 8.0 yards per carry, per NextGen Stats. The Rams this season have been a middle-of-the-pack run defense. They’re 11th in yards and 14th in yards-per-carry average. And they have hit a back behind the line of scrimmage on 31.7% of carries, which is the seventh-lowest rate in the NFL. The Rams have also been allowing yards after contact; they’re 23rd in the NFL, giving up 3.06 yards after contact per attempt. ...read more read less