First it was a gritty win over the Dallas Cowboys in the home opener. Then it was a gritty win over the Chiefs in Kansas City. Two games. Two rivals. Two tough wins. Now the Eagles face Los Angeles in a rematch of last year’s divisional playoff game. The Rams are a good team and won’t go down easy to let Philly advance to 3-0. It will be all hands to keep the Eagles undefeated. Here is what I am looking for from the Eagles rookies.
Can Jihaad Campbell keep it steady?
Typically, a defensive coordinator would rather his linebackers be reliable contributors instead of high variance playmakers. Unpredictable linebackers tend to give up a lot more yardage to an offense than create meaningfully big plays for a defense.
Jihaad Campbell was drafted because he has big play potential, but so far this season he has mostly impressed by being a stable presence next to Zack Baun. This stability from snap to snap is really impressive for a rookie who is cross training all over the defense.
The Rams offense will challenge the Eagles more so than either of their previous opponents this season. Los Angeles has playmakers who can attack the middle of the field in the passing game and they have a physical, dynamic run game. Campbell stepping up on every snap to limit big plays will be crucial in coming away with a win.
Is Drew Mukuba the Eagles’ new defensive playmaker?
The Eagles lost a lot when Darius Slay left in free agency. Obviously it was strategic to move on from an averaging veteran, but “Big Play Slay” was always good for some timely interceptions each season.
Well, it looks like they got that dynamic in Drew Mukuba. Different positions, but the rookie safety has provided exciting, game changing plays through two weeks. His speed and aggressiveness as a tackler has been thrilling while he had a phenomenal interception last week to help the Eagles stave off the Chiefs.
Mukuba misses a few plays, but he’s more than making up for it. I bet he has another big flash against the Rams offense Sunday afternoon.
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