The Los Angeles Rams’ defensive turnaround in the second half of the 2024 season propelled them to a playoff berth where they came within a possession of advancing to the NFC Championship Game.
The Rams took on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round and had a chance to take the lead late in the game. Unfortunately, Los Angeles failed to convert on a fourth down and Philadelphia was able to advance and eventually win Super Bowl LIX over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Philadelphia gashed Los Angeles on the ground in the matchup, with Saquon Barkley making them pay on a couple of home run plays that sealed the game. Barkley’s size, speed, contact balance and burst made him a perfect fit in the Eagles offense and the Rams had no answers for him on the field.
EA Sports’ Maaden NFL 26 is set to release soon and in a recent trailer, Kam Curl is seen getting juked out by Barkley. Following the trailer’s release, Curl joked he wouldn’t be playing Madden this year, via his personal X account:
Lmao I ain’t playing madden this year
— Kam Curl (@KCurl_2) June 4, 2025
Madden did Kam Curl dirty
https://t.co/GtzfQgfnLK pic.twitter.com/Ysqe3iwWC4
— Underdog (@Underdog) June 5, 2025
In the video game’s trailer, Barkley’s seen carrying the football in the snow and puts on a move on Curl that he bites on and gets left behind. This was an homage to the Rams-Eagles game where Barkley ran wild and left defenders like Curl chasing after him.
The veteran safety seems to take the trailer well enough, though it couldn’t have been fun to be singled out in the popular franchise’s most recent trailer.
While Curl might not like that he’s featured biting on a move, he had a strong first year in Los Angeles as he recorded 79 tackles, nine passes defensed, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown in 16 games. Curl was lauded for his nose for the football and ability to make plays and he wound up being an important piece of the secondary.
Heading into his second year with the team, Curl is in line to handle more leadership responsibilities for the Rams’ young defense. The group is one of the best units in the league and it’ll be fun to see them get back at it when the 2025 season begins.
Former Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey hints at post-June 1 trade
The Rams secondary could still use some help, which is why they’ve been heavily linked to Jalen Ramsey. The Miami Dolphins seem resigned to trade Ramsey and he recently added to the rumor mill when he heavily hinted at a deal after June 1.
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