The Los Angeles Rams are downplaying Sunday’s tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles as nothing more than the next game on their schedule, but this is a marquee rematch with the defending Super Bowl champions. The Rams have an opportunity to make a statement, not only beating the Eagles after getting swept in two games last year, but also letting the rest of the league know that Los Angeles is a title contender.

If they can knock off the Eagles on the road, they’ll be taken much more seriously as a Super Bowl threat. In order to do that, though, they’ll first need to win a few individual matchups on the field Sunday. Whether it’s locking down Philly’s receivers, protecting Matthew Stafford from Jalen Carter or slowing down Saquon Barkley, the Rams have their hands full.

Here are the five most important matchups to watch on Sunday.

RG Kevin Dotson vs. DT Jalen Carter

Carter is one of the main reasons the Rams didn’t beat the Eagles last time around. He had seven pressures, two sacks and a forced fumble, stepping up in a big way during the Rams’ final drive of the game by sacking Stafford and hitting him on each of the last two plays.

Carter will rush against both guards and center Coleman Shelton, but he’s primarily lined up on the left side across from the right guard. That’s Dotson’s territory, increasing the importance of the Rams’ starting right guard in this game. The Eagles’ edge rushers aren’t exactly prolific right now but Carter is a wrecking ball on the interior, so he makes up for any deficiencies on the outside.

WR Puka Nacua vs. CB Cooper DeJean

DeJean is the Eagles’ top slot cornerback and this year, Nacua has been lining up inside more than ever. DeJean has allowed just five catches on eight targets for 38 yards with one pass breakup so far this season, making this a tough matchup for Nacua in the slot.

Davante Adams will surely take advantage of the opportunities he gets against the struggling Adoree’ Jackson, as will Nacua when he lines up outside, but this matchup in the slot with DeJean is critical. Nacua has to win and get open for Matthew Stafford, continuing to create the big plays that he has in the first two weeks.

LB Nate Landman vs. RB Saquon Barkley

Barkley ran wild against the Rams in both of their meetings last season, rushing for 255 yards in the first game and 205 in the second with two touchdowns in each. The Rams’ run defense has certainly gotten better since then, largely thanks to the additions of Landman and Poona Ford.

Landman needs to be at his best in this game because if Barkley has room to run again on Sunday, the Rams will be in big trouble. Fortunately, he’s as good a tackler as there is, missing zero attempts so far this season with a tackle grade of 84.3, according to PFF. He can’t afford to miss any tackles on Barkley because that’s when he gets to the third level and creates huge plays.

CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. vs. WR A.J. Brown

Ahkello Witherspoon would likely be the cornerback the Rams use on Brown if he were healthy, but since he’s out, it’s the next man up. Forbes, Cobie Durant and Darious Williams will all get opportunities to cover Brown, who’s off to a painfully slow start this season.

DeVonta Smith has been playing in the slot a bunch, so Quentin Lake will match up with him often, but the Rams really need Forbes and his length to help take away Brown on the outside.

Rams OLBs vs. Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata

The Rams’ edge rushers won’t come across a better tackle tandem than the one they’ll see on Sunday. Johnson and Mailata are as good as it gets, giving up zero combined sacks so far this year with only six total pressures allowed and two QB hits, both allowed by Mailata.

Byron Young is playing the best football of his career, Jared Verse is still a menace on the edge despite having zero sacks so far and even Josaiah Stewart is generating pressure consistently. This isn’t a game where the edge rushers can just pin their ears back and chase the quarterback, though.

They have to contain Jalen Hurts and be more disciplined, ensuring he doesn’t escape to the outside and take off running.

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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 5 key matchups that will decide Rams vs. Eagles on Sunday
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect