The Los Angeles Rams were supposed to be the team to beat. The Philadelphia Eagles were supposed to be the question mark. Instead, the Rams are tied for last place in their division, and the Eagles are tied for first.
The 2026 NFL season has not gone according to plan for anyone connected to these two franchises. Los Angeles entered the season as Super Bowl favorites. Philadelphia still had questions about its offense. Now the tables have turned, and the Week 4 matchup between the Eagles and the Rams carries weight neither team expected.
How the Rams Fell From Favorites to Last Place
The Rams started the season with a loss in Melbourne, Australia, against the San Francisco 49ers. That defeat stung, but it was followed by a dominant win over the New York Giants in Week 2. The momentum looked real.
Then came Week 3. The Rams fell to the Denver Broncos on “Sunday Night Football,” and the results showed up in the standings immediately. The Rams now sit at 1-2, tied for last place in the NFC West.
The Rams have a losing record and nothing to show for it. The schedule was kind to them early, and they lost the first game anyway. The second game was a statement win. The third game was a statement loss.
The result is a division lead that has vanished faster than anyone predicted.
How the Eagles Rose to First Place
The Eagles started with two close wins. They beat the Washington Commanders and the Tennessee Titans in consecutive weeks, squeezing out victories that kept their record clean through the first three games.
Then came Week 3. The Eagles suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Chicago Bears on “Monday Night Football.” The defense could not stop Chicago’s third-string quarterback, Case Keenum, and the game slipped away.
Despite the loss, the Eagles still hold a winning record. They sit at 2-1, tied for first place in the NFC East.
That is the opposite of where the Rams are. The Eagles lost their first game of the season and still control their own destiny in the East. The defense has not been perfect, but the wins have been enough to keep them atop the standings.
The Game on Sunday
The Eagles vs. Rams game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 4. It will be broadcast on Fox, and the network’s coverage maps show that the game will be available on local Fox channels in most of the western United States and the Northeast region.
Cord-cutters have options. Fubo carries Fox, along with CBS, NBC and the ESPN family of networks, so subscribers can catch NFL action all season with the service. The NFL’s proprietary streaming service, NFL+, will also carry the game.
The game itself is a chance for both teams to measure themselves against each other. The Rams need a win to climb out of the basement. The Eagles need a win to keep their grip on the division lead.
What the Records Show
The Rams are 1-2, tied for last place in the NFC West. Their season has been defined by a series of results that have not matched expectations.
The Eagles are 2-1, tied for first place in the NFC East. Their season has been defined by a similar pattern of results, though in the opposite direction.
The difference between the two records is stark. The Rams have a losing record and nothing to show for it. The Eagles have a winning record and everything to prove.
The Week 4 Stakes
The Week 4 matchup is a chance for both teams to make a statement. The game is on Fox at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 4. The broadcast maps show local coverage in most of the western United States and the Northeast region. Cord-cutters can stream it on Fubo or NFL+.
The stakes are simple. The Rams need a win to climb out of the basement. The Eagles need a win to keep their grip on the division lead.
The season is young, but the narratives are set. The Rams are the surprise underachievers. The Eagles are the surprise contenders. The Week 4 game will determine which narrative holds and which one fades.
The Eagles vs. Rams game is a reminder that the NFL is unpredictable. A team that looks unbeatable can lose three times in four weeks. A team that looks shaky can win two of three.
The game is on Sunday. The winner will move closer to a playoff spot. The loser will move further from it.
“Sunday Night Football”
- The Rams are 1-2, tied for last place in the NFC West
- The Eagles are 2-1, tied for first place in the NFC East
- The game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 4
- Fubo and NFL+ both carry the broadcast for cord-cutters
The Week 4 game will be a test for both teams. The Rams need to find answers quickly. The Eagles need to prove they can hold on. The season is still young, but the next few weeks will decide which franchise is headed up and which one is headed down.
Source material: “What channel is the Eagles vs Rams game today? Start time, schedule, streaming,” Yahoo Sports.
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