Jalen Hurts and the Eagles head into Week 4 with a problem they haven’t solved yet: they’re 2-1, but they still haven’t covered a spread all season. After a seven-point showing in Monday night’s loss to the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia now gets its toughest test of the young year against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
That matchup comes with plenty of weight on both sides. The Rams were tagged before the season as the favorite to win the Super Bowl, but their start has been anything but smooth.
They opened with a loss to San Francisco in Week 1, then let a 16-0 halftime lead slip away against Denver in Week 3. Now they’re back on the road as favorites again, looking to answer after a frustrating night in Denver.
The betting market has already moved in Los Angeles’ direction. The Rams opened as 2.5-point favorites, and that number shifted after Philadelphia’s rough outing against the Caleb Williams-less Chicago Bears on Monday night. Even with both teams coming off Week 3 losses, oddsmakers are still treating the Rams like the stronger Super Bowl contender.
SI Betting’s Iain MacMillan is leaning that way, too. In his Road to 272 column, he’s backing Los Angeles to rebound on the road.
"It's about time that we accept that the Eagles are a bad football team. Their offense ranks in the bottom five in virtually every single offensive metric, and their defense isn't nearly as good as it was a year ago."
MacMillan also pointed to the Rams’ early-season travel as part of the explanation for their uneven start.
"The Rams also have some things to clean up, but having to play in Australia against the 49ers in Week 1 and then in Denver in Week 3 isn't exactly a recipe for success. They'll continue to get better with each passing week and should be well-equipped to win and cover against an Eagles team that could be in the midst of an implosion."
There’s still a chance Los Angeles gets a major boost if Puka Nacua returns in Week 4. Even without him, the Rams have been strong enough on one side of the ball to make the case.
They rank ninth in the NFL in EPA/Play on defense and are ahead of Philadelphia in EPA/Play on offense. The Eagles, meanwhile, sit 23rd in the league in EPA/Play defensively and were just picked apart by Case Keenum on Monday night.
Hurts did leave for a possession to be checked for a concussion, which could have changed how that game played out, but Philadelphia’s offense was quiet in the second half either way.
For the Rams, this feels like a pivotal spot. If they want to stay on track for the NFC West title, Sunday has the look of a game they need to take. MacMillan expects them to respond after the Denver loss.
In Other News...
Rams Pass Interference Frustration Is Fueling This NFL Debate
Controversial pass interference calls in Week 3 have pushed an old NFL argument back into the spotlight, with coaches once again weighing whether those penalties should be reviewable or challengeable. Around the league, the frustration is familiar: a single flag can reshape a drive, yet the sport has long struggled with how much oversight is too much once officiating starts to slow the game down.
Sean McVay added more fuel to the conversation by confirming the league agreed a pass interference penalty against the Rams was incorrect in a recent game. Across the division, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said he once supported allowing challenges on those calls, but he is more hesitant now because of the effect on game flow. For the Rams, it is another reminder that the debate is not just about fairness, but about what kind of game the NFL is willing to live with. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Fans Will Relate To Kelly Staffords Reaction After That Call
The Rams trip to Denver ended with plenty of frustration, and one late pass interference flag on Josh Wallace became the kind of call fans could not stop replaying in their heads. Jason Kelce even weighed in on the New Heights podcast, saying Broncos receiver Pat Bryants exaggerated wrist movement should have worked against the penalty, and Bryant later admitted he had indeed sold the contact to draw the flag. Denver then cashed in with the game-winning touchdown, leaving Los Angeles with another tough result to dissect.
Kelly Stafford seemed to capture the mood from the family side of the trip, sharing photos from Denver as the game played out. For Rams fans, it is the familiar mix of travel, emotion and officiating frustration that can make a loss linger a little longer, especially when a single call ends up shaping the final moments. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Offense Just Lost A Piece Sean McVay Has Counted On
Terrance Fergusons rookie season hit a setback this week, with the Rams placing the tight end on injured reserve because of a medial ankle sprain. The move means Ferguson will miss at least four weeks, taking away a young pass-catching option Sean McVay had been counting on as the offense tries to keep its depth intact.
To help cover the roster shuffle, Los Angeles elevated wide receiver Alex Bachman and defensive end Larrell Murchison from the practice squad. Fergusons absence also opens the door for rookie Max Klare to see more snaps at tight end, giving the Rams another chance to test their depth at a position that suddenly looks thinner than it did a few days ago. [Read more 🡒]