Rams-Eagles could have best position matchup of the week

Will the Rams defensive line be able to get through the Eagles offensive line?

Two of the most fascinating positions groups in the NFL face off on Sunday Night Football this week: The young defensive line of the Los Angeles Rams against the stout and potentially Hall of Fame-worthy offensive line of the Philadelphia Eagles coached by Jeff Stoutland. This matchup could determine who wins this Sunday.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky highlighted what makes Philly’s offensive line special for NFL Live this week:

“Watch how well they move. Lane Johnson pulling and trapping that defensive tackle, I don’t know how many tackles in the NFL are capable of doing that. What that allows is for everybody to get to the second level so easily. Watch all these guys pull, left tackle, guard, and tight end. This is a triple trap.”

Will Kobie Turner and Jared Verse help lead the charge for the Rams defensive front to make plays against Johnson and company?

The Eagles feature a future Hall of Famer on the right side, Lane Johnson. That’s no question as Johnson has basically re-written the book on how to play right tackle.

Left guard Landon Dickerson has made the past two Pro Bowls and is headed for a third straight.

Cam Jurgens has had no problems replacing future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce and is destined for his first Pro Bowl, if not an All-Pro nod.

Left tackle Jordan Mailata, a success story from the NFL’s International Pathway Program, does not have a Pro Bowl nod yet but he will and he’s the fifth-highest paid left tackle in the league.

Even Mekhi Becton, who left the Jets for the Eagles and replaced Jurgens at left guard, has proven that he’s not completely a first round bust. In fact, Stoutland could turn him into a Pro Bowl guard.

That’s the matchup facing the Rams on Sunday, but while L.A.’s front is young and inexperienced, they aren’t intimidated.

• Byron Young leads the team with 6 sacks, including one in each of the past four games; he’s on pace to double the number of TFLs he had as a rookie
• Braden Fiske leads rookies with 5 sacks, to go with 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 6 TFL
• Jared Verse isn’t far behind with 4.5 sacks and he leads the Rams with 14 QB hits and 11 TFL; Verse is the heavy favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year over Fiske
• Kobie Turner has 5 sacks, proving he can be just as productive without Aaron Donald next to him

This is a great test for both teams, but even more so for the Rams front-4. It’s the matchup of the game, if not the matchup of the entire week in the NFL.