St. Louis Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles: What Are Experts Saying About Philly?

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the NFL's biggest enigmas in 2014. Despite very poor O-line play and several quarters without any production on offense, they lead the NFC East and sit 3-1. They are ranked by ESPN as the sixth-best team in the NFL despite all their problems.

What are the experts saying about this team? What are their biggest strengths and weaknesses going into their Week 5 matchup with the St. Louis Rams?

Here is a look at some analysis by different sports writers around the league regarding the Birds. 

Gregg Rosenthal: '3-1 Despite Three Ugly Games'

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com expressed bewilderment at the Eagles' successful 3-1 start, highlighting the poor play from several key areas of the team so far:

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They are 3-1 despite three ugly games from Nick Foles, endless offensive line injuries, scant production from LeSean McCoy and very little pass rush. The offense disappears for 30 minutes at a time (or 60 in San Francisco), yet the unit ranks third in points per game and was two yards away from a 4-0 record. I can't decide if this is a good or bad sign for the Eagles' future, which makes them the perfect symbol of this last month.

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The matchup with the Rams could be a trap game. Their defense is still talented despite the team's poor record, and they are certainly capable of shutting down LeSean McCoy if he does not break out of his slump.

Nick Foles also needs to play better, but he would be helped by a resurgent McCoy. 

John Smallwood: 'Lane Johnson Must Deliver'

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Daily News placed the spotlight on right tackle Lane Johnson.

Johnson missed four games due to a suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. The 24-year-old paid for his mistake, as did the Eagles, who may have won a close game against San Francisco with him in the lineup.

Now that he is back, Smallwood states that the whole O-line should see improvement:

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Johnson is returning to the spot where he made 16 regular-season and one postseason starts as a rookie, allowing Todd Herremans to move back to his more natural right-guard position. Thus, it should be anticipated that the offensive line, and by extension the offense as a whole, will perform better.

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With Johnson back, Smallwood believes that the Eagles can expect to see an improved LeSean McCoy, who has averaged a measly 2.7 yards per carry this season. He also suggests that Nick Foles can be expected to benefit.

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I am not saying the Rams' defense will part like the Red Sea, but one would fairly anticipate that McCoy will find some of the running lanes that have not been there thus far. ... And if the Eagles can get some kind of running game going, maybe it will relieve some of the pressure on quarterback Nick Foles, allowing the passing attack to become more consistent. 

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Jeff McClane: 'No Excuses for Riley Cooper's Slow Start'

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Riley Cooper was one of the most reliable receivers on the team last year, putting up 835 yards and eight touchdowns for 17.8 yards per catch. This year, he is anything but productive. In four games, he has just 15 catches for 125 yards, no touchdowns and a poor 8.3 yards per catch.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane, there are several problems with Cooper's play, ranging from drops to explosiveness:

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Cooper had only four drops in the regular season [in 2013] - and another against the Saints in the playoffs - and routinely won contested jump balls. But the drops are only part of his slow start.

Cooper's yards per route run is the lowest among NFL receivers who have been targeted at least 25 times. He has caught 15 passes for 135 yards and is without a touchdown.

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It was expected that Cooper would assume Jason Avant's old role as the go-to player when a clutch play needed to be made. However, Cooper has failed in several clutch moments this season.

The loss of DeSean Jackson seems to be exposing the wideout for who he really is—a mediocre receiver at best. Unless he shows drastic improvement against the Rams, it's time to give Jordan Matthews a chance at outside receiver. 

Jay Clemons: 'Rams Have the NFL's 30th-Ranked Defense'

Michael Perez/Associated Press

According to Jay Clemons of Fox Sports South, the Rams offer the perfect opportunity for LeSean McCoy to bounce back.

"The Rams have the NFL's 30th-ranked defense, allowing 155.3 ground yards per game," writes Clemons. "In his only career effort against St. Louis ... McCoy rolled for 137 total yards and two scores in 2011."

With Lane Johnson back in the lineup, no time is better than now for McCoy to finally have that elite game in 2014.

For the first time in his career, the Eagles back did not rush for 80 or more yards in five straight games.

He is too talented to be limited for much longer. Expect McCoy to break loose for a big run and relieve the worries of millions of fantasy football owners worldwide.