The Rams k-factor against the Eagles in the 2025 NFL playoffs, and it’s not Jared Vers

The Los Angeles Rams did away with their finesse, air-it-out approach for bully tactics to open up NFL playoffs. The NFC West champions pounded and dominated the Minnesota Vikings out of defense. The Rams tied an unreal playoff record with nine sacks, and Jared Vers added six points after a fumble recovery.

Rookie linebacker Verse has emerged as an instrumental piece in this revamped Rams defense. The leading rusher led many fans to believe he had won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after rushing 57 yards for his score in Monday’s 27-9 rout.

The verse started the unit that had to replace franchise legend Aaron Donald. LA has a new game changer. Verse’s speed opened the door for the likes of Kobe Turner, Bryon Young, Braden Fiske and others to wreak havoc. Now a franchise, a head coach Sean McVayand defensive coordinator Chris Shula needs Vers’ skill set to slow down Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles.

But Verse isn’t the Rams’ k-factor heading into this big NFC division contest. One Rams veteran holds that title at Lincoln Financial Field.

Cobie Durant, not Jared Verse, is the Rams k-factor against the Eagles

Third-year cornerback Cobie Durant took his game to another level against the Vikings. He snagged one interception and even joined the Rams’ offense on Sam Darnold.

The Rams will need that version of Durant and more to stun the Eagles. Durant flashed at times for LA

He grabbed two interceptions on Christmas Day 2022 against the Denver Broncos at Rams House. That includes returning one for 85 yards in a 51-14 rout at SoFi Stadium.

However, the 26-year-old brings hot and cold moments. Since that ’22 Broncos game. Taller and faster windouts have burned Durant before. He even resorted to grabbing the fabric to counter them, leading to defensive calls.

The former South Carolina State star now has Hurts and his explosive tandem on deck. AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith together torment the DB. Hurts won’t hesitate to test Durant with the weapons he has on the perimeter.

Can Cobie Durant slow down the Eagles wide receivers?

Durant again needs a follow-up to his spectacular Wild Card showing — which was just his second career NFL postseason appearance.

The Rams need more than his arms, though. LA needs the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder to attach near the flanks of Brown and Smith.

Durant, to his credit, doesn’t surrender a ton of receptions or yards per game. He allowed 27 completions for 310 yards with 50 targets thrown his way. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 54% of their throws against Durant. Furthermore, only the Seattle Seahawks beat him by VR in the end zone — which was during Week 18.

Shula won’t allow Durant to settle in one spot. DC will likely revolve around Durant as the “star” defender, when the role is reserved for Jaylen Ramsey. Durant earned 137 defensive tackles at cornerbackaccording to Pro Football Focus. But he has 83 games in the frame. Shula will use Durant to create confusion in Hurts pre-snap.

Durant has proven that he is ready for the playoffs after three seasons. The stage just keeps getting bigger for the former HBCU star from here on out. But his interception numbers rise if the Rams’ rushing attack repeats their Wild Card performance. Sunday presents another opportunity for Durant to increase his fame and lead the Rams back to the NFC Championship.