Latest news with #NFCDivisionalRound
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
NFL Star Makes Shocking Statement on Philadelphia Eagles Fans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Following his first NFL season, Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jared Verse came away with an unexpected take. The young pass rusher believes the Philadelphia Eagles has the best fans that don't root for the Rams. Quite the change of tune for the 24-year-old out of Florida State. "I got to give them that," Verse said on 'Whistle.' "I like when you kind of get into it. You're aggressive, you're loud, and all of that stuff. They stand by that, no doubt." Ahead of an Eagles-Rams clash in the 2025 NFC Divisional Round, Verse wasn't as complimentary to Philly fans. In fact, he claimed to have a hatred for them. "I hate Eagles fans," Verse stated. "They're so annoying. I hate Eagles fans." Despite not playing in front of Eagles fans outside of Los Angeles yet at the time, perhaps Verse got an idea of what they were like back when he lived in Pennsylvania during his earlier years. Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles and linebacker Jared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams interact after an NFL football game, at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California.... Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles and linebacker Jared Verse #8 of the Los Angeles Rams interact after an NFL football game, at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. MoreHe gave the Eagles and their fan base perfect bulletin board material ahead of an intense playoff matchup at Lincoln Financial Field. What started out as a cold, windy game turned into a snow bowl. The Rams put up a good fight, but the Eagles found the edge and knocked the Rams out of the postseason en route to their Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs a few weeks later. Although Verse's words back in January displayed a dislike for Eagles fans, it seems his feelings have turned into respect for the screaming fans in South Philly. When he was asked about the toughest fan base to face, in his opinion, Verse fired off the Eagles once again. Read More: NFL Writer Highlights Concerning Theories For Eagles' Saquon Barkley "Probably the Eagles! Playing the Eagles is like playing your rival in college," said Verse. "You never know what they are going to say, and they're going to try to like say disrespectful stuff. They are going to bring some stuff on you. They're not going to say something where you crossed the line, but they are going to say some stuff where you're like, 'Who are you talking to?'" With the Eagles defeating the Rams twice last season, and going on to win it all, Philly fans have likely let go of their mini-rivalry with Verse, especially now since he's been showing a lot of respect for their approach to spectating the game. Verse, the Defensive Rookie of the Year, will pay another trip to Philadelphia next season. After the Eagles visited the Rams in 2024, the schedule-makers will have the Rams and the Eagles battle it out at Lincoln Financial Field for a Divisional Round rematch. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL analyst describes Rams' 2025 season in one word
The Los Angeles Rams' 2025 NFL season is going to be interesting. They've retained most of their key players from the 2024 team that won the NFC West and went toe-to-toe with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round. But the team also added some new wrinkles in receiver Davante Adams and rookies Terrance Ferguson and running back Jarquez Hunter. Advertisement The key to it all is Matthew Stafford, who decided to return to the Rams after pondering a departure this offseason. So, when tasked with coming up with one word to describe the Rams' season, FOX Sports' Ben Arthur wrote: "curiosity." "How much more elite-level football does 37-year-old QB Matthew Stafford have in him?" Arthur wrote. "Can new Rams receiver Davante Adams stave off the inevitable steep decline for another year, forming a top tandem with Puka Nacua? The Rams can be at the top of the NFC if they get what they need from Stafford and Adams, considering how great their young defense is becoming." These are all fair questions. The Rams have a veteran-laden team that, while powerful, could take a step back if some of its stars' age catches up quickly. The defense is very young, too, which can either be a positive or a negative depending on how the season shakes out. This team could easily win the NFC West again and make a Super Bowl run ... or flounder in a make-or-break year. No matter which way it falls, the Rams' braintrust of Sean McVay and Les Snead will need to figure out their plans for a team with a lot of question marks following this year. This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst describes Rams' 2025 season in one word
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL analyst describes Rams' 2025 season in one word
The Los Angeles Rams' 2025 NFL season is going to be interesting. They've retained most of their key players from the 2024 team that won the NFC West and went toe-to-toe with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round. But the team also added some new wrinkles in receiver Davante Adams and rookies Terrance Ferguson and running back Jarquez Hunter. The key to it all is Matthew Stafford, who decided to return to the Rams after pondering a departure this offseason. So, when tasked with coming up with one word to describe the Rams' season, FOX Sports' Ben Arthur wrote: "curiosity." "How much more elite-level football does 37-year-old QB Matthew Stafford have in him?" Arthur wrote. "Can new Rams receiver Davante Adams stave off the inevitable steep decline for another year, forming a top tandem with Puka Nacua? The Rams can be at the top of the NFC if they get what they need from Stafford and Adams, considering how great their young defense is becoming." These are all fair questions. The Rams have a veteran-laden team that, while powerful, could take a step back if some of its stars' age catches up quickly. The defense is very young, too, which can either be a positive or a negative depending on how the season shakes out. This team could easily win the NFC West again and make a Super Bowl run ... or flounder in a make-or-break year. No matter which way it falls, the Rams' braintrust of Sean McVay and Les Snead will need to figure out their plans for a team with a lot of question marks following this year.
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking each NFC West team's defensive line: Where do the Rams rank?
The defensive line is an incredibly important part of a team's defense. They set the tone at the line of scrimmage and can be the difference between a tight battle and blowout loss. The Los Angeles Rams know this all too well after Saquon Barkley ran all over them in the NFC Divisional Round, and they hope that the upgrades they made this offseason will be enough to keep the NFC West crown away from the rest of the division. We looked at every NFC West's defensive line as they all head into summer and ranked them against each other. We've also added the projected starters to reference for each team. 4. Arizona Cardinals Campbell can be a great veteran presence for Robinson in his second year but this duo isn't menacing yet. 3. San Francisco 49ers This revamped unit features two new faces in ex-Browns lineman Elliott and 2025 second-rounder Alfred Collins. Robert Saleh is the defensive coordinator again, though, which should help. 2. Seattle Seahawks Williams proved to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player once more with 11 sacks from the interior. Murphy, though, is still developing. 1. Los Angeles Rams A shock, maybe, but the Rams have the most explosiveness of the group. Turner and Fiske are sack machines, while Ford is a great run-stuffer in the middle of the defensive line.
USA Today
19-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL insider explains Rams' recent roster building strategy
NFL insider explains Rams' recent roster building strategy The Los Angeles Rams have a few flaws they've yet to address on their roster. Namely, the cornerbacks and linebackers lack firepower to truly elevate a defense. And while the Rams have the cap space and assets to pull off a move for a star cornerback (like Jalen Ramsey), the duo of head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead appears unwilling to do so with any urgency. They retained the same secondary from 2024 — the one that ranked 26th in passing yards allowed — and didn't draft any young players at either cornerback or safety despite taking a late-round linebacker. That, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, seems to be by design. "The Rams' approach to filling the position in recent years has been interesting," Breer wrote. The projected starters right now are a couple guys that came in as reclamation projects, in Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams (who returned after starting his career in Los Angeles). Former first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is in that mix too. And so taking a swing on Alexander [who has since signed with the Ravens] or getting Jalen Ramsey back would kind of fit. "But I do think this is also a larger philosophical thing for the Rams, with much of their recent focus on building up the offensive skill spots and defensive front—areas they believe are truly impactful on wins and losses. I heard someone say that in today's NFL, corners are more speed bumps than stop signs, and I think that might be how L.A. has come to view the position. Or at least that's how it looks." McVay and Snead have always been ahead of the game in roster construction, so Breer's hypothesis would make sense. It would certainly explain why the Rams have used a bevy of top-100 picks on the defensive line to replace Aaron Donald with Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Byron Young and Kobie Turner. Or why they preferred to draft players at tight end, edge rusher, running back and defensive tackle before linebacker. If McVay and defensive coordinator Chris Shula think they can put together a quality defensive unit without stars at cornerback or linebacker, then this lack of urgency should work. It almost did in 2024 when the young defense emerged as a stout group right up until they ran into Saquon Barkley in the NFC Divisional Round. Whatever the case may be, the Rams appear to have a plan that they're sticking to, even despite outside pressure to reunite with Ramsey.
