Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Carter Pops Again in Win Over Los Angeles Rams

Philadelphia Eagles rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter impressed yet again in a Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

If you thought that Philadelphia Eagles defensive linemen Jalen Carter flashed some Jerome Brown-esque talent over the first month of his NFL career, nothing that happened in the team's Week 5 tilt against the Los Angeles Rams changed your perspective. If anything, Carter continued to look like a man among boys in the 23-14 win. 

Despite some impressive moments from the receiver duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nakua, quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams only managed to score two touchdowns Sunday, in large part because of the pressure Philadelphia's defensive line was able to generate. While edge rusher Haason Reddick put the game on ice with consecutive fourth-quarter sacks of Stafford, Carter himself had two sacks and three solo tackles Sunday. 

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter has had a remarkable start to his NFL career.  / © Eric Hartline, USA TODAY

The second of those sacks came early in the third quarter, with Carter looking like he was shot out of a cannon as he burst through Los Angeles' offensive line on a four-man rush and threw Stafford down like a rag doll.  

GOT THAT DAWG IN HIM @breadmanjalen#PHIvsLAR | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/NFx11jZORg

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 8, 2023

Through his first five NFL games, Carter has 11 combined tackles, four quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. 

It's important not to be hyperbolic, but there's a balance between doing that and objectively pointing out what you see. The skills Carter has demonstrated early in his NFL career back up what he showed during his collegiate career at Georgia, which is why some thought he had the talent to be the top overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

There were off-the-field concerns that caused Carter to fall into the range where the Eagles could select him. Those haven't been erased. But as the Eagles faced off with Aaron Donald, Carter's display made you wonder if he stays on the straight-and-narrow off the field, if he could have a career like the three-time Defensive Player of the Year has had for the Rams. And that's not suggested lightly, as Donald is one of the five-greatest defensive linemen ever.