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
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