PHILADELPHIA — We begin by stating Saquon Barkley was brilliant! The Philadelphia Eagles survived a snow-filled Divisional Round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, securing a 28-22 victory to advance to the NFC Championship Game. The win came on the back of a dominating performance by running back Saquon Barkley and a relentless defense, who combined to weather the storm—literally and figuratively—to move one step closer to another Super Bowl appearance.
Barkley’s Snowy Day Masterclass
Barkley proved once again why he is the Rams’ nightmare, rushing for 205 yards and two explosive touchdowns. His most electrifying play came late in the fourth quarter—a 76-yard sprint to the end zone that all but sealed the game for the Eagles, sending the home crowd at Lincoln Financial Field into a frenzy. Snowflakes fell as fans threw snowballs in celebration, chanting “MVP” in unison. It was a fitting end to a game in which Barkley showcased the kind of burst and vision that has made him a postseason force.
The 76-yard run followed another long touchdown—a 62-yarder early in the second quarter—that put the Eagles ahead for good. Barkley’s contribution mirrored his Week 12 performance against the Rams, when he ran for a franchise-record 255 yards. His dominance on the ground highlighted an area where the Rams struggled all game: stopping the run. The Eagles finished with 285 rushing yards, and Barkley accounted for the bulk of that, setting the tone for the offense.
Hurts Struggles but Defense Steps Up
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who appeared to suffer a left leg injury in the second half, had an uneven performance. Despite running for a 44-yard touchdown early in the game, Hurts struggled in the passing game, and his mobility appeared limited. His second-half struggles reached a low point when he was sacked for a safety, trimming Philadelphia’s lead to just one point. However, the defense, particularly the defensive line, picked up the slack.
In back-to-back drives in the third quarter, former Georgia teammates Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith Jr. forced fumbles—key plays that allowed the Eagles to extend their lead with field goals. These turnovers were critical, as the Rams’ offense had gained momentum after Stafford’s touchdown passes to Tyler Higbee brought them within striking distance.
Defensive Playmakers and Clock Management
The Eagles’ defense wasn’t just about forced fumbles. Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, replacing the injured Quinyon Mitchell, made one of the game’s biggest plays, scooping up a Kyren Williams fumble early in the fourth quarter and returning it 40 yards. That turnover led to a field goal, extending the Eagles’ lead to 19-15.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Eagles. Coach Nick Sirianni’s clock management in the first half raised some eyebrows. With 20 seconds left and the ball near midfield, Sirianni let the clock wind down to just three seconds before setting up a Hail Mary attempt, which resulted in another Hurts sack. The failed possession cost the Eagles an opportunity to increase their lead before the break.
Rams’ Offensive Resilience Falls Short
For the Rams, the postseason run came to a painful end. Despite a gutsy effort from Matthew Stafford, who threw for 324 yards and two touchdowns, Los Angeles struggled to keep pace with the Eagles’ relentless rushing attack. Stafford’s first-quarter touchdown pass to Higbee was a beauty, thrown into a tight window with only 0.4 yards of separation—the closest margin for any of Stafford’s playoff touchdowns in his Rams career.
However, the Rams’ offense faltered in the fourth quarter, undone by turnovers at critical moments. On back-to-back drives, running back Kyren Williams and Stafford himself lost fumbles—marking the first time since 2016 that a playoff team had fumbled on consecutive possessions. The turnovers were a killer for Los Angeles, as they squandered any chance to capitalize on the momentum they had built throughout the game.
The Rams also struggled defensively to contain the Eagles’ run game, allowing Barkley to break loose on two long touchdowns. It was a bitterly familiar story for a defense that had allowed 314 rushing yards in their Week 12 matchup, including a record-breaking 255-yard effort by Barkley. The Rams’ inability to stop the run ultimately doomed them in this matchup, as they could not stop Philadelphia from controlling the clock and chewing up yards.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The Eagles will now face the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game, with questions swirling around Hurts’ health and whether the passing game can be relied upon for sustained success in the postseason. Despite Hurts’ injury concerns, the Eagles’ formula of strong defense and explosive rushing remains their bread and butter, and it’s hard to argue with the results.
As for the Rams, their season ends with a frustrating loss in the Divisional Round. While their defense showed flashes of brilliance—highlighted by their seven sacks of Hurts—the offense failed to execute when it mattered most. Despite Stafford’s strong postseason numbers and the promising performance of their young defense, the Rams will have to regroup and find a way to balance both sides of the ball moving forward.
The Eagles’ victory in snowy Philadelphia was about survive and advance. Barkley’s performance is what we’ve come to expect of him during an inspired season, and the defense’s timely turnovers were enough to survive a valiant effort from the Rams. With questions still lingering about Hurts’ knee health and the Eagles’ passing game, next week’s NFC Championship Game will be crucial for solidifying their path to a potential Super Bowl appearance. For the Rams, this loss is another bitter reminder of the fine margins in postseason football, and they’ll need to address their dropped balls, run defense and ball security if they hope to compete at this level in the future.