Los Angeles Rams rookie linebacker Jared Verse has made his feelings about Philadelphia Eagles fans crystal clear in the lead-up to the NFC Divisional Round clash. In a candid interview with the Los Angeles Times, Verse didn't hold back, stating his outright disdain for the Philly faithful.
Having spent part of his high school years in Pennsylvania, Verse's animosity seems to stem from personal experience. He expressed genuine frustration, even mentioning that the sight of the Eagles' green and white colors evokes a visceral negative reaction.
The Rams are undoubtedly hoping Verse can channel this intensity into his on-field performance as they head to Philadelphia as underdogs. Their previous encounter in Week 12 saw the Eagles, led by a dominant Saquon Barkley performance, hand the Rams a decisive 37-20 defeat. Barkley racked up an impressive 302 scrimmage yards, including 255 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Verse recounted how, even during the home game in Los Angeles, he could hear the jeers from Eagles fans despite wearing headphones. This further fueled his dislike for the opposing fan base. He emphasized this sentiment, reiterating his strong feelings about Eagles fans. In the Rams' recent Wild Card victory against the Minnesota Vikings, Verse made a significant impact, recovering a Sam Darnold fumble and returning it 57 yards for a touchdown.
His strong regular season performance, including 4.5 sacks, 66 total tackles, and a Pro Bowl selection, has placed him in contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The upcoming Divisional Round matchup against the Eagles is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, where Verse is sure to face a hostile crowd and a chance to prove himself against a formidable opponent.
