Survive and advance is the credo this time of year and that’s exactly what the Eagles did holding on for dear life as the Rams stalled deep in Eagles’ territory with just over half a minute left in this snow-show for the ages! But before we get into that here’s a look at today’s Divisional game between the Eagles and Rams in South Philadelphia that went down to the wire.
Here’s How it Went Down: Rams at Eagles
- Final Score: Rams 22, Eagles 28
- Records: Rams 11-8, Away 5-5; Eagles 16-3, Home 10-1
- Betting Winners: Rams +6.5 ; Eagles -250
- Heavy on Eagles Player of the Game: Saquon Barkley 26 carries, 205 yds 2 TDs (62,78)
- Next week for the Eagles: NFC Championship Game at Home vs Commanders 3pm FOX
Birds’ Defense and Barkley Heroics Send Eagles to NFC Title Game
For the second week in a row the Philadelphia Eagles let their opponent hang around long enough to almost get themselves eliminated from the NFL’s postseason tournament. L.A.’s pass rush proved to be no joke as the Rams sacked Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts seven times today, the fifth one coming in the last minute of the 3rd quarter earning the visitors a safety and sending the game to the final fifteen minutes of regulation down just a point to the heavily favored NFC East Champs, 16-15. But just like the regular season game between these two teams turned on a Kyren William fumble, it was deja vu all over again as Williams fumbled on the first play of the fourth quarter which the Birds turned into three points to take a 19-15 lead. On the very next possession Mathew Stafford turned the ball over with another fumble that the Birds turned into another three points to stretch their lead to 22-15.
Barkley Batters Rams Again
After the Rams went three and out on their next possession Saquon Barkley seemingly iced L.A. with a 78 yard touchdown explosion on the snow covered turf. It was Barkley’s second touchdown of the day as he took one to the house in the first quarter as well from 62 yards out. Saquon torched the Rams in late November for 255 yards and 303 all-purpose yards. Today, he popped for just a measly 205 yards on 26 carries. But Jake Elliott missed his second PAT of the game keeping the Rams in striking distance.
Matthew Stafford quickly drove the Rams down the field and hit Colby Parkinson from four yards out to cut the Eagles lead down to six, 28-22 with 2:48 left and all three timeouts remaining just needing the ball back one more time to have a chance. Well, the Birds obliged going three-and-out in just 13 seconds (yes, you read that right, just 13 seconds) and had to relinquish the ball one more time to set the stage for a potential all or nothing drive for L.A. and an array of countless queasy stomachs for Eagles Nation.
Stafford and the Rams gave it a good effort moving the ball from their 18 yard line to Philly’s 13 yard line, highlighted by a Puka Nacua sizzle-reel 37 yard catch at the Birds’ 21 yard line. But a Jalen Carter sack on a third and two from the 13, the Birds fifth of the game, moved Stafford and company back to the 22 where a fourth and 11 pass intended for Nacua fell short as did the Rams. The Birds have one more home game left next week as they play host to Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders for a trip to Super Bowl 59.
Jalen Hurts won his 4th career playoff game without throwing for 200 yards. He was 15/20 for 128 yards, no tds and no interceptions. But he did rush for the most yards on the ground all season including a 44 yard td burst on the Birds’ first drive of the game. Hurts finished with 70 yards on seven carries.
