The Los Angeles Rams came within one drive of the NFC Championship last season. Now, with a reloaded roster and unfinished business, they’re entering 2025 with purpose — and with Week 3 circled in red.
The date? A rematch with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. And no one has that game etched more deeply into memory than defensive tackle Kobie Turner.
“That Game Is Circled”
Turner, the breakout star of the Rams’ defensive front, didn’t hold back when speaking with NFL Network’s The Insiders about what’s driving him this offseason.
“I’ve had that loss in the back of my mind for a while,” Turner said. “It’s on to a new season and on to continue to progress, but I definitely have, I believe it’s Week 3, circled. Even in individual training right now, we’re breaking down how the Eagles’ offensive line blocks and how we’re going to defeat that.”
Get your Puka-Flex T-Shirt Here
Turner was a force in both meetings against Philadelphia last season — particularly in the playoffs — but the Rams defense struggled to contain Saquon Barkley, who broke loose for multiple long touchdown runs. It was a harsh lesson LA hasn’t forgotten.
“At the end of the day, it’s about getting Saquon down,” Turner said. “That’s what we’re going to do a lot better this year. We’ve got to stop the run, on the run.”
Rams Defensive Line Re-Loaded
Stopping Barkley won’t be easy. Philly’s Super Bowl run was powered in large part by his dominant postseason, where he totaled 460 yards in just two games against the Rams. But Los Angeles is better prepared this time.
They added run-stoppers Poona Ford, Chris Paul Jr., Josaiah Stewart, and Ty Hamilton. Braden Fiske — who impressed early in the playoff loss before exiting with injury — is back and healthy. And Jared Verse, another emerging star, looks poised for a major leap.
“You saw what happened when we got into second-and-long, third-and-long situations,” Turner said. “Verse came to life, Fiske came to life — and he left early. I’m super excited to run that back.”
Los Angeles Rams Motivation Runs Deep
It’s not just the Eagles Turner wants to revisit. He’s got a mental checklist of every team that beat L.A. in 2024.
“I have everybody circled who we lost to,” he admitted. “Even last year, we got blown out by Arizona in Week 2. I circled that return game. And we got the win that helped punch our ticket to the playoffs.”
But it’s the Eagles — the team that ended the Rams’ season and lifted the Lombardi — who sit highest on Turner’s list.
“They’re Super Bowl champs, they deserve it,” Turner said. “But this is a new year. And I definitely have that game circled. I’m super excited to get another crack at those guys.”
Looking Ahead
The Rams will travel to Philadelphia again in Week 3 for what’s shaping up to be one of the season’s early marquee matchups. They’ve added Davante Adams to bolster the offense. Matthew Stafford is back. Cooper Kupp is out, but Puka Nacua has already taken the next step.
Still, this game won’t be about who scores more. It’ll be about who controls the trenches. And if Turner’s mindset is any indication, the Rams’ defensive line will be ready.
For a player who has quickly become one of the league’s most underrated game-wreckers, the mission is clear: finish what they started — and turn the circled date into a statement win.
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s Los Angeles Rams YouTube Channel