Saquon Barkley sizzled within the snow because the Philadelphia Eagles survived a late scare to beat the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 in picturesque however drama-privvy playoff situations to succeed in the NFC Championship Sport on Sunday.
Barkley erupted for a 62-yard home name within the opening quarter earlier than stretching his facet’s result in 28-15 with a 78-yard landing burst with 5 minutes to play on his technique to 205 yards on the night time, persevering with an exceptional first yr in Philly that noticed him eclipse 2,000 speeding yards through the common season.
Second-year defensive sort out Jalen Carter starred for the Eagles with two sacks, two tackles for loss and a compelled fumble because the Rams had been made to pay for pricey turnovers.
Jalen Hurts completed 15 of 20 for 128 yards in addition to speeding for a landing, whereas Matthew Stafford threw for 324 yards and two scores because the Rams noticed their marketing campaign come to an finish.
The Eagles will now advance to face Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders for a spot at Tremendous Bowl LIX in New Orleans subsequent weekend, a month after shedding 36-33 in a thriller in opposition to the NFC East divisional rivals.
Saquon Barkley scores a superb 78-yard landing, his second of the sport, to safe the Philadelphia Eagles’ spot within the NFC Championship recreation
Stats leaders
Los Angeles Rams
- Passing: Matthew Stafford, 26/44, 324 yards, 2 TDs
- Speeding: Kyren Williams, 19 carries, 106 yards
- Receiving: Puka Nacua, 6 catches, 97 yards
Philadelphia Eagles
- Passing: Jalen Hurts, 15/20, 128 yards
- Speeding: Saquon Barkley, 26 carries, 205 yards, 2 TDs
- Receiving: Dallas Goedert, 5 catches, 56 yards
As Rocky Balboa music performed in Philly, the snow fell and chaos ensued in a second half of slips, slides, drops, drama and a smidgen of Saquon.
The Rams threatened a late twist at Lincoln Monetary Subject when Stafford related with Colby Parkinson on a four-yard landing with 2.48 to play simply moments after Barkley thought he had iced the sport along with his 78-yard rating.
As the following Eagles drive stalled, Stafford – armed with 51 game-winning drives to his identify – was in a position to convert on third-and-10 to Demarcus Robinson earlier than gorgeous the Eagles with a 37-yard strike to Puka Nacua, who was available to make an excellent leaping seize on the sideline to maneuver his facet right down to the 21-yard line with 1.33 remaining.
After a false begin penalty in opposition to Kevin Dotson had pegged Los Angeles again to second-and-12, Carter all-but sealed the sport moments later by sacking Stafford for a lack of 9 on third-and-two. With one final probability, the Rams quarterback was unable to seek out Nacua because the Eagles breathed a sigh of reduction.
Landing runs from Jalen Hurts and Barkley had given the Eagles a 13-10 lead on the break, earlier than Joshua Karty’s 34-yard discipline purpose levelled issues up on the opening drive of a second half impacted closely by the snowfall.
Jake Elliott responded with a 44-yard discipline purpose to revive the Eagles’ lead, however not with no scare after Hurts had suffered a knee harm throughout a thumping hit from blitzing security Jaylen McCollough. The quarterback was taken for therapy within the blue tent earlier than returning sporting a knee brace.
The ache gave the impression to be lingering as his lack of mobility allowed Neville Gallimore to haul him down for a security that may pull the Rams inside 16-15.
Philadelphia Eagles running-back Saquon Barkley scores a shocking 62-yard landing to present his staff the lead over the Los Angeles Rams
Rams operating again Williams would then really feel the wrath of an impressed Carter, who efficiently punched the ball free earlier than seeing teammate Isaiah Rodgers run it again to the 10-yard line. Barkley was subsequently stuffed on the one-yard line, however the place the Eagles may need often elected for the ‘tush push’ they as a substitute turned to Barkley once more in mild of Hurts’ harm.
It resulted in one other cease by the Rams protection, adopted by a false begin penalty in opposition to Lane Johnson that compelled the Eagles to accept Elliott’s 23-yard discipline purpose try to make it 19-15.
Carter wasn’t the one former Georgia Bulldog operating riot, Nolan Smith making his presence felt on the Rams ensuing drive by forcing one more fumble, this one recovered by Zach Baun to tee up Elliott’s 37-yard kick for a 22-15 lead with 6.18 remaining.
With information of the incoming snow, each groups exploded out the traps in pursuit of an early stronghold. And it was the Eagles who struck first on the sixth play from scrimmage as Hurts broke free for a 44-yard speeding landing, Elliott lacking the following additional level. It served because the longest run of the Eagles quarterback’s NFL profession and a right away reminder of Philadelphia’s learn possibility risk via Hurts and Barkley.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scores a 44-yard landing early within the first quarter of their NFL playoff Divisional Spherical recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams
The Rams issued an on the spot reply when Tyler Higbee hauled in Stafford’s needle-threading dagger between two defenders on the goalline for a four-yard landing on the finish of a 13-play drive.
The possession had regarded prefer it may stall on third-and-seven when Stafford’s low cross to Higbee was dominated incomplete, just for Sean McVay to make a profitable problem. Williams was later available to transform on fourth-and-one to arrange first-and-goal from the four-yard line.
Barkley’s second was not far behind, the NFL’s main rusher following a bruising Mekhi Becton block to tear away for a 62-yard landing and a 13-7 lead.
Karty reduce the result in three with a 30-yard discipline purpose earlier than Verse delivered drive-derailing sacks on Philadelphia’s subsequent two possessions heading into the half.
What’s subsequent?
It is Convention Championship Sunday, with the Eagles internet hosting the Commanders within the NFC.
Tremendous Bowl LIX takes place on Sunday, February 9 on the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, reside on Sky Sports activities NFL.
