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 circumstances to achieve the NFC Championship Sport on Sunday.
Barkley erupted for a 62-yard home name within the opening quarter earlier than stretching his aspect’s result in 28-15 with a 78-yard landing burst with 5 minutes to play on his technique to 205 yards on the evening, persevering with an outstanding first yr in Philly that noticed him eclipse 2,000 speeding yards throughout the common season.
Second-year defensive sort out Jalen Carter starred for the Eagles with two sacks, two tackles for loss and a pressured fumble because the Rams have 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 dropping 36-33 in a thriller in opposition to the NFC East divisional rivals.
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 together with his 78-yard rating.
As the following Eagles drive stalled, Stafford – armed with 51 game-winning drives to his title – was capable of convert on third-and-10 to Demarcus Robinson earlier than beautiful the Eagles with a 37-yard strike to Puka Nacua, who was available to make an impressive leaping seize on the sideline to maneuver his aspect 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 likelihood, the Rams quarterback was unable to search 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 objective levelled issues up on the opening drive of a second half impacted closely by the snowfall.
Jake Elliott responded with a 44-yard discipline objective to revive the Eagles’ lead, however not with out a scare after Hurts had suffered a knee damage 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 seemed 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.
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Philadelphia Eagles running-back Saquon Barkley scores a shocking 62-yard landing to provide his crew 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 unfastened 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 normally elected for the ‘tush push’ they as an alternative turned to Barkley once more in gentle of Hurts’ damage.
It resulted in one other cease by the Rams protection, adopted by a false begin penalty in opposition to Lane Johnson that pressured the Eagles to accept Elliott’s 23-yard discipline objective try and 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 further level. It served because the longest run of the Eagles quarterback’s NFL profession and an instantaneous reminder of Philadelphia’s learn choice menace via Hurts and Barkley.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scores a 44-yard landing early within the first quarter of their NFL playoff Divisional Spherical sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams
The Rams issued an immediate 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 seemed prefer it would possibly stall on third-and-seven when Stafford’s low go 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 lower the result in three with a 30-yard discipline objective 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, stay on Sky Sports activities NFL.
