Why NFL history suggests Eagles need to force a turnover to beat Rams in Week 4 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-1 on the season through three weeks, which isn’t a bad thing, but considering how the team, especially the defense, has looked thus far, Eagles fans have reason to worry.
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While the Eagles’ offense is something worth being frustrated about, the real worrisome thing for this Eagles team is their zero turnovers through three weeks. Heading into Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams, the Eagles have forced zero turnovers.
ESPN Research revealed that, based on NFL history, if that trend continues into Week 4, the Eagles are going to lose their matchup to the Rams. But why? Well, no team has ever failed to force one turnover and had a winning record through four weeks before.
NFL history suggests Eagles need to force a turnover to beat Rams in Week 4
“In NFL history, no team without a takeaway in the first four weeks has had a winning record,” ESPN Research shared.
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Prior to this Week 4 matchup, the Eagles’ defense and special teams have yet to force a single turnover this season.
Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Zack Baun, and the defensive line haven’t forced an interception or a fumble all season long.
There have been opportunities, but they’ve really been few and far between. This week, against Matthew Stafford and the Rams, the Eagles are facing an uphill battle.
MORE: Matthew Stafford makes wrong kind of NFL history with pick-six vs. Broncos
DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Baun are all out. Add in that the Rams are getting Puka Nacua back, and this could be a blowout waiting to happen for the Eagles.
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The Eagles can obviously still win this matchup, as Nick Sirianni seemingly has Sean McVay’s number, going undefeated against the Rams’ coach during their time in the NFL as head coaches together. But this week might be the biggest challenge yet.
It will be significantly more challenging to win this week if they can’t force a turnover. Whether it’s a Stafford interception, a Kyren Williams fumble, or the Eagles benefiting from a special teams gaffe, they desperately need a turnover this weekend.
If they can’t force one, NFL history suggests they’ll lose to the Rams. They could make NFL history as the first team to have a 3-1 or better record with no turnovers, but that’s a long shot, especially this week against the Rams.
