Rams second year star Jared Verse thought he was about to own Philly. With his team leading 26–7 in the second half at Lincoln Financial Field, in a perceived revenge game from last year’s Divisional round loss, the stud linebacker was all smiles and trash talk even after his team had blown that 19 point lead and trailed by a point. But with just :03 seconds left his team lined up for a potential game-winning 44-yard field goal attempt and Verse, being all mic’d up for NFL Films, couldn’t resist taunting Philadelphia Eagles fans.
“The amount of obscenities I’m gonna yell when (Josh) Karty makes this, y’all better get that boom [mic] out of my face.”
That was Verse on the sideline before L.A. kicker Josh Karty lined up for the would-be dagger to save his team from a potential epic collapse. The Birds roared back in the second half of Sunday’s game to take a 27-26 lead after trailing by 19 but a game-winning field goal would have given the Rams a 29-27 victory. Instead the Eagles blocked the field goal, returned it for a touchdown, and ripped out Verse’s heart and wrecked a Rams team’s undefeated season with a 33–26 comeback win for the ages. Verse’s celebration line never aired, and what should have been his highlight moment became his humiliation.
Verse vs. Philly Fans
This wasn’t out of character. Verse has admitted he grew up hating Eagles fans, and last January he watched his team come up just 13 yards short of ending the Birds’ Super Bowl run. Sunday’s collapse capped by his own mic’d up arrogance only deepened the love-hate relationship between him and Philadelphia.
Verse Throws Love at Hurts
Then came the pivot by Verse. after a few days to process the loss. as shared by Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times and reported by Sports Illustrated:
“I know a lot of people go like ‘Oh he can’t throw. He’s only a runner.’ The (explicit) can throw,” Verse said. “He’s a (explicit) quarterback in the National Football League for a reason. Like I don’t know why people are saying that (explicit).”
Klein went on to note that Hurts, and the passing offense in general, “can’t seem to catch a break despite the fact that the Eagles are winning games. Philadelphia isn’t anywhere close to its ceiling yet but it’s 3–0 with wins under its belt against three contenders, including the Rams. It’s the NFL and people need to find things to talk about on a daily basis in between games. It seems like Hurts falls victim to that idea. But, there seems to be high perception for him with his peers, at least.”
Verse Gets It
So in a matter of days, Verse went from mic’d-up villain rehearsing obscenities before the final kick to the guy backing Jalen Hurts as a legitimate NFL passer. I have no idea why Hurts’ peers and opponents can watch the same thing we all do on Sundays and still won’t give Hurts his props. But hey, the lack of Hurts love nationally continues to fuel the reigning Super Bowl MVP and his play each week, and that’s just fine with Eagles fans and the organization.
For Eagles Nation, that’s the sweetest kind of justice. Verse and his squad squad blew a 19-point lead, got roasted in front of 70,000 screaming fans, and then turned around and gave Hurts his just do.
In Philadelphia, the scoreboard never lies and this time, neither did the mic.
Eagles Nemesis Backs Hurts Despite His Hatred For Philly Growing Deeper