Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Just ask the Phillies. After their loss in Atlanta Thursday night, it’s time for some changes, but that’s another column. Instead …

The Eagles and the Rams meet at the Linc Sunday both desperately seeking a win.

It’s an early matchup of two teams who have inflicted a high degree of anxiety among their fans. Yes, it’s only three games, but you can hear the picnic in Eagles’ fans voices, and see it on their faces when asked about their team.

But is it really time to panic? Nah, unlike the Phillies, there can be a hunt for a green October.

This is only the fourth week of the season, and there is plenty of football left. Aside from a few contenders, the Eagles have a favorable schedule.

Cleaning up the penalties and being more motivated and prepared will help.

For the Rams (1-2), it is a matter of getting back to. 500 after their loss in Denver last Sunday night, and for the Eagles (2-1), it is a matter of rectifying some issues and proving they can be a dominant team after their horrific loss in Chicago Monday night.

The Eagles are surely feeling the pressure, looking for some new wrinkles under first-year OC Sean Mannion, but venerable DC Vic Fangio’s defense looks like a shadow of itself, especially with their pass rush and the safeties in the secondary.

Yet, the apprehension surrounding the team is about the offense. Fangio presumably will figure out the defense. There was mass panic in late spring when Fangio reportedly had thoughts of retirement.

Mannion has publicly accepted the blame for an offense that looks similar to last year. He has promised to meld the pass and run games, but their play-action has been minimal. The Birds’ offense ranks 24th overall.

LA has been dragging the Super Bowl favorites tag around their neck since the summer, and they appeared to be on their way to substantiate it with a win in Denver before the Broncos started their late-game heroics and also benefited from some questionable calls.

Rams star wideout Puka Nucua is expected back, and he’ll team with 37-year-old Davante Adams, who has looked like his vintage Packers days, as he is third in receiving yards with 358.

Aaron Donald has come out of retirement, but he looks more like he should have stayed on the coach. Myles Garrett was injured in the opening game, and he should be back soon. Garrett looked gassed in their opener due to sitting out the preseason.

Besides Garrett, the Rams have a laundry list of injuries. But when, or if, they get totally healthy, they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Are the Eagles? Before the Bears’ debacle, they did have the fortitude to push past the Commanders and the Titans. A win is a win, but it just wasn’t in the expected style.

Second Helpings ... Mannion’s main issue has been the Birds’ lack of second-half scoring. They have scored 20 of their 55 points after halftime, which isn’t totally alarming. But they rank 30th in the league in yards per play, hovering around four.

Saquon Barkley ran for 73 yards in the first half against the Bears, and he had only nine after halftime. The Birds went three-and-out on their first three possessions.

Jalen Hurts has had slow starts after halftime, and he looked totally befuddled by the Bears defense. He threw a bad interception and accounted for just 29 yards in Chicago.

Desperate in Big D ... Through three games, the Cowboys have had their secondary ravaged by injuries.

In typical Jerry Jones fashion, he helped orchestrate a trade for Pittsburgh standout corner and holdout Joey Porter Jr., who had a contract dispute and ‘back’ injury. Porter is expected to play Sunday.

It’s another big name that likely won’t get them to the title they have been desperately seeking since 1995.

Hello, Mr. Bill ... In Chapel Hill Saturday, Marcus Freeman’s third-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish will meet Bill Belichick’s North Carolina Tar Heels. At first mention, it’s a matchup you want to see just for the coaches.

There’s more on the line here for Belichick, whose 2-1 team is coming off a 28-20 loss to Clemson after a 15-10 win over TCU and a 35-3 thumping of East Tennessee State. In his defense, his team already has matched their win total from last year.

However, the college football world and Vegas isn’t sold on Belichick’s boys, and the Irish are 21-point favorites for their noon kickoff. Word is that the Tar Heels must get to six wins — and that’s possible — or they will pay Belichick his 10-million buyout.

It has been a circus with his 24-year-old fiancé apparently attached to his hip, his son Stephen being investigated and eventually dismissed, as well as longtime NFL associate Michael Lombardi being shown the door.

As for the 4-0 Irish, they’re looking to get their running game in gear. Heading into North Carolina, they are averaging 141.8 yards per game, good for 28th in the Bowl Subdivision for rushing. Freshman Jovaz Watson burst onto the scene last week against Purdue, running for 61 yards on seven carries, and he should get some more work.

Last season behind Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, the Irish were 11th, registering 203.14 per game.

This is where Saturday’s game with North Carolina gets interesting, as the Tar Heels’ defense ranks fifth nationally, allowing just 85 yards per game.

Love For The Right Price ... Speaking of Love, he has been the Cardinals’ primary ballcarrier this season.

The rookie has gained a team-high 160 yards on 41 carries with a touchdown, and he has 10 catches for 44 yards with a score. There’s sure to be some Irish fans in the stands when they play at the Meadowlands Sunday.

Price also has been the primary running back for the Seahawks. He has 119 yards on 28 carries, and he has caught seven passes for 21 yards.

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