Does Ford have better idea to slow Barkley?

[Rams from D8] signed linebacker Nate Landman to a oneyear, $1.1-million deal.

- 

Through two games - victories over the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans - both moves paid off as the Rams gave up only one touchdown.

But Barkley, mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts and a line led by tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata present an entirely different challenge for a Rams team regarded as a Super Bowl contender.

Ford played five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and one season each with the Buffalo Bills and the Chargers before joining the Rams. He has played against Barkley twice.

In 2022, Ford and the Seahawks limited Barkley to 53 yards and a touchdown in 20 carries in a 27-13 victory. In 2023, when Ford played for the Bills, Barkley rushed for 93 yards in 24 carries in a 14-9 Bills victory.

"He's a tough runner, a physical runner," Ford said, "and it's just really, everybody get to the ball."

Barkley, the reigning NFL offensive player of the year, sprinted virtually untouched to the end zone four times against the Rams last season.

He rushed for 255 yards and scored on runs of 70 and 72 yards in a 37-20 Week 12 victory over the Rams at SoFi Stadium. He rushed for 205 yards and scored on runs of 62 and 78 yards in the Eagles' 28-22 NFC divisional-round victory at Lincoln Financial Field.