Saquon Barkley breaks down Rams defense in snow, Eagles advance to NFC Championship Game
Saquon Barkley was asked to play a big role.
The Philadelphia Eagles running back lined up in shotgun formation with quarterback Jalen Hurts on Sunday with less than five minutes remaining in a divisional round playoff game. Hurts looked at Barkley and could barely see the blizzard plaguing Lincoln Financial Field. The superstar athlete looked back at his quarterback and said, “I got it.”
Barkley took the handoff and ran like he was shot out of a cannon. He holed the ball, avoided a tackle, and ran 78 yards for a touchdown. He knew he was going to score from 30 yards out.
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Eagles running back Saquon Barkley scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFC divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Eagles fans cheered as their team held on to outlast the Los Angeles Rams the rest of the way and win 28-22.
As the weather turned bad, Barkley, who was supposed to be the main offensive force, rushed for a record 205 yards on 26 carries. He scored two touchdowns in the game, including a 62-yard score in the first quarter.
“The elements are great, but the atmosphere is even better,” Barkley told NBC after the game. “Our fans were awesome. It was a close game, but this is the playoffs and at the end of the day, we got the job done.”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford gave it his all for Los Angeles in the final minutes. After Barkley scored in the fourth quarter, he rushed 10 times for 70 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Bryant Parkinson. This brought the score gap of the game to one point.
The Rams got a stop and got the ball back on the final drive. Stafford gave Los Angeles the lead on a great catch from Pukanacua.
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Eagles running back Saquon Barkley sits in the snow after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Neville Gallimore tackles Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second half. (AP Photo/Derek Hamilton)
But the Eagles defense held firm and cemented the game by forcing a turnover on fourth down.
Philadelphia’s defense performed well. In addition to a stop on the Rams’ final drive, they forced two fumbles that resulted in an Eagles field goal. Six points proved to be the difference in the game.
Hurts was 15-for-20 passing for 128 yards and rushing for 70 yards. He opened the game with a 44-yard rushing touchdown, but was injured in the second quarter, hampering his ability to run the rest of the game.
Stafford was 26-of-44 passing for 324 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked five times, including on the final drive, which put more pressure on them to get the game first.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Baun celebrates after catching a fumble from Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the second half. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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Philadelphia will play in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday against the Washington Commanders.
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