LA Rams Star Has Message for Eagles' Saquon Barkley
Not many teams could slow down the Philadelphia Eagles' run game in 2024. Saquon Barkley was simply unstoppable for most of the year.
The Los Angeles Rams found out firsthand not once, but twice. After the second meeting, which occurred during the Divisional Round in the 2024 NFL Playoffs, the Rams are extremely motivated to get another shot at the Eagles early on during the 2025 NFL season.
The former third-round pick, Kobie Turner, recently revealed that the matchup against the Eagles is currently circled on the Rams' calendar for next season. It's not even training camp, and the Rams' defensive front is already placing focus on Barkley and the Eagles.
"We're always training. I've had that loss in the back of my mind for a while," Turner told NFL Network.
From The Insiders on @nflnetwork: As the #Eagles get their rings, #Rams DL Kobie Turner tips his cap. But of the Week 3 rematch: 'Man, we definitely have that game circled. I have that game circled. And I'm super excited to get another crack at those guys.' pic.twitter.com/8ry6QZ3mfY — Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 19, 2025
"I definitely have, I believe it is Week 3, circled. Even in the individual training right now, we're breaking down, 'Ok, this is how some of the guys, some of the offensive linemen for the Eagles, this is how they block, and this is how we're going to defeat that.' Ultimately, the thing that really got us last year is that there are a couple of big runs."
Barkley is a home-run hitter. Once he got behind the Eagles' offensive line, which has been regarded as one of the best for years, the veteran running back hit an entirely different level. The Rams fell victim to quite a few home runs against the superstar rusher.
Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California.During their regular-season battle back in November, Barkley broke off a 70-yard touchdown run during the third quarter. He went for a 72-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter as well, to put the game way further out of reach. Barkley finished with 255 yards on 26 carries in the 37-20 Eagles victory.
When the Rams and the Eagles met in the playoffs, Barkley followed up a 44-yard Jalen Hurts touchdown run with a 62-yarder for himself in the first quarter. Later in the game, Barkley had one of his most impactful runs of the year. Dashing through the snow, Barkley busted out a 78-yard touchdown to nearly ice the game. While the Eagles certainly allowed for the Rams to make it interesting, Philly ultimately won and advanced.
Barkley finished with another 205 yards on 26 carries.
"We stopped the run for the most part and handled it really well, but a couple of those runs where Saquon is able to get to the second level fast and he's super dangerous there," Turner added. "At the end of the day, it's about getting Saquon down, and that's what we're going to do a lot better of this year, making sure we stop the run. You guys saw what happened when it gets to third and long situations—second and long situations—guys come to life."
Being the Super Bowl Champions, the Eagles made a lot of enemies in 2024. Since the Eagles defeated the Rams twice, it doesn't come as a surprise that Turner and the Rams can't wait to wipe the slate clean and go for revenge.
"I'm just super excited to be able to run that back. Obviously, those guys are Super Bowl champs. They won it, and they deserve it, and whatnot, but this year is a new year," he finished. "Man, we definitely have that game circled. I definitely have that game circled, and I'm super excited to get another crack at those guys
The Eagles and the Rams will meet in Philadelphia on September 21.
For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Eagles DC Vic Fangio is effusive in praise of Jihaad Campbell
Eagles' defensive coordinator says Jihaad Campbell continues to improve and makes good strides Zack Baun was initially signed by Philadelphia last off-season to add pass rush prowess and versatility to the Eagles' defense. Baun went on to become a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. The Eagles selected Jihaad Campbell in the draft, and on Saturday, the former Alabama star confirmed that he has been working out at both inside linebacker positions. After initially missing the bulk of the off-season workouts, Campbell has hit the ground running, drawing rave reviews from experts and analysts. Following a recent practice, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio held his second press conference of training camp and provided eight answers on several pertinent topics involving the Eagles' defense and the competition at several key positions. Fangio discusses what he wants to see from the cornerback position and highlights the development of rookie first-round pick Jihaad Campbell. He's taking 'small steps.' "I do see him making small strides every day. Again, it may not be noticeable to the average eye, but he's making good strides and if he can keep making those strides, I think he'll be what we had hoped he would be." Campbell learning Baun's spot could provide Philadelphia with a scenario where Nakobe Dean or Jeremiah Trotter Jr. plays the other linebacker spot alongside Campbell, allowing Baun to rush the passer more in 2025. The Erial, New Jersey native was named to the first-team All-SEC in 2024 after leading the team with 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Baun led the top-ranked total defense with 151 tackles and five forced fumbles in 2024. He also added one interception. He was one of two players since at least 2000 with 150-plus tackles and five-plus forced fumbles in a season (the Colts' Zaire Franklin also did so in 2024).
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
2025 NFC East Odds: Eagles Aim To Defend Division For First Time In 20 Years
An almost unbelievable streak is currently alive and well in the NFC East. Which squad is favored to win the division this season? Here are the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of July 30, as well as what to know about the division. NFC East Eagles: -130 (bet $10 to win $17.69 total) Commanders: +205 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total) Cowboys: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total) Giants: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total) What to know: Arguably the wildest and most intriguing division in the NFL on an annual basis, no team has won two NFC East titles in a row since the Eagles won four in a row from 2021 to 2004. From 2005 on, a new team has won it every season. That's 20 years! Philly and Dallas have split the last four titles, and the Eagles are somewhat of a heavy favorite to win the division this year, after winning the Super Bowl last year. Key addition: The Giants' quarterback room felt like the talk of the town this offseason. Tommy DeVito re-signed with the team and Jameis Winston signed a two-year deal, but it was Russell Wilson signing a one-year deal and the Giants drafting rookie QB Jaxson Dart with the No. 25 overall pick that made waves. Wilson has been named the starter, but even with the switch from Daniel Jones, New York is still favored to finish last in the division. Another key addition came in the form of Deebo Samuel joining the receiver room in Washington, giving Commanders star QB Jayden Daniels another enticing target on the outside — assuming the team gets a deal done with Terry McLaurin. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Three free agent safety options the Eagles should consider with Andrew Mukuba injured
Taking a look at three safeties the Philadelphia Eagles could bring in before the 2025 season Justin Simmons intercepts Mahomes in the end zone!📺: #KCvsATL on NBC/Peacock📱: Stream on #NFLPlus After trading C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston, the Philadelphia Eagles will have a new safety tandem in 2025. One of those starting spots is occupied by Reed Blankenship; the other will be determined in training camp. Third-year player Sydney Brown has been splitting first-team reps with second-round rookie Andrew Mukuba throughout camp, with Tristin McCollum mixing in. A recent shoulder injury has kept Mukuba out of the last two practices, putting Brown ahead in the competition. '[Sydney Brown] just needs to go out there and play good,' Eagles DC Vic Fangio said of Brown last week. 'So much of the safety position is just like ILB, where instincts and play recognition play a major part in how good you are. And, he just needs a lot of reps. He didn't start practicing last year until October, and I think at that point you're in game weeks, where you don't practice a whole lot, you don't have a lot of reps, so he didn't have a great opportunity last year because of his injury. Hopefully now, we'll see exactly what he can do.' With the current injuries and inexperience at the position, Philadelphia may be compelled to look at available veterans on the open market. Let's take a look at three free agent options the Eagles could explore if Mukuba misses extended time. Former two-time Pro Bowler Justin Simmons would be the most seamless fit for obvious reasons. He played under Fangio for three seasons in Denver (2019-2021), recording 14 interceptions and 36 pass breakups during that span. Simmons hasn't been bashful about his desire to not only reconnect with Fangio, but also current Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker. Simmons signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons last offseason and is being slightly more selective this time around. While the Eagles have focused on getting younger this offseason, Simmons' experience could help develop Philly's talented secondary. "I think Atlanta I would still pick 10 out of 10 times if I was in the spot (I was in) last year," Simmons said. "But in terms of where I'm at now, (I'm) being a little bit more picky where we want to go and where we want to call home next … the next two years, a year, whatever it is … but a contender is No. 1 on the list right now." Whitehead is a seasoned veteran with over 100 career starts, having spent five seasons with the Buccaneers and two with the Jets. A fourth-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2018, Whitehead has earned a reputation as a physical player on the backend. Although a pectoral injury limited him last season, Whitehead still appeared in 12 games, recording 79 tackles and three pass breakups. Whitehead re-signed with Tampa Bay on a two-year, $9 million deal last offseason but was released following a January car accident. Now fully recovered and medically cleared, he could be a budget-friendly addition to the Eagles' defense. THREE INTS FOR JORDAN WHITEHEAD 😱(via @nyjets) Marcus Williams was once considered one of the best young safeties in football. His elite playmaking ability in New Orleans earned him a five-year, $70 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022. Williams frequently missed time with injuries, however, and didn't play up to expectations when available. He was a healthy scratch down the stretch last year, leading to his release in March. Philadelphia is known for taking on reclamation projects, and perhaps Fangio can get Williams back on track after his worst statistical season. Williams has tallied 469 tackles, 20 interceptions, and 56 pass breakups across his eight-year career. .@MarcusWilliams' SECOND INT of the day! #RavensFlock📺: #MIAvsBAL on CBS📱: Stream on NFL+
