Eagles' 0-for-12 on third down delivers Rams -3 by a point

Called it. Philadelphia without DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert managed 172 total yards and went 0 for 12 on third down, the exact collapse the pre-game case described. Puka Nacua came back for 9 catches and 125 yards, and Kyren Williams scored both fourth-quarter touchdowns to erase a 20-10 deficit. Rams 24, Eagles 20, so minus 3 cashes by a single point. Honesty requires noting that Matthew Stafford threw two picks and no touchdowns, and all 10 of Philadelphia's first-half points came off them.

Philadelphia's pass catchers are disappearing. DeVonta Smith didn't practice Wednesday with the hamstring he played through last week, Dallas Goedert is out for multiple weeks with an MCL sprain, rookie Eli Stowers is on IR, and the team signed Zach Ertz to fill the tight end spot. That leaves Dontayvion Wicks and a newly signed veteran tight end as the core of the passing game if Smith sits. The Rams go the other way: Sean McVay said he expects Puka Nacua back from the groin. The total has dropped from 46 to 43.5, and in a lower-scoring game a healthy set of receivers against a depleted one is worth the field goal.