Saquon Barkley Carves Rams Defense In Ice, Eagles Move To NFC Title Game
Saquon Barkley was called upon to deliver in a big way.
Philadelphia Eagles running back quarterback Jalen Harts in a shotgun formation with less than five minutes to play in Sunday’s divisional round playoff game. Harts looked at Barclays as he watched the blizzard that plagued Lincoln Financial Field. The star athlete looked back at his quarterback and said, “I got this.”
Barkley took off and ran like he was shot out of a cannon. He hit the hole, eluded the interception and ran for a 78-yard touchdown. He knew he was going to score from 30 yards out.
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Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFC divisional game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The Eagles faithful cheered as they watched their team hang with the Los Angeles Rams for the rest of the game and win 28-22.
Barkley, who was supposed to be the leader of the offense, ran for a record 205 yards on 26 carries as the weather turned for the worse. He had two touchdowns in the game, including a 62-yard score in the first quarter.
“The stuff was great, but the atmosphere was better,” Barkley told NBC after the game. “Our fans are amazing, it was very close, but this is a game of football, and at the end of the day, we got the job done.”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford gave Los Angeles everything he had in the final minutes. After Barkley scored in the fourth quarter, a 10-play, 70-yard drive led to a Coby Parkinson touchdown. It brought the game to a point.
The Rams stalled and were able to get the ball back for one final drive. Stafford took Los Angeles off the field with a spectacular goal by Puca Nacua.
Tom Brady gets credit for watching in the crucial Lions-Commanders playoff game.
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 lineman Neville Gallimore hits Eagles quarterback Jalen during the second half. (AP Photo/Derek Hamilton)
But the Eagles’ defense held strong and forced an incompletion on fourth down, allowing them to tighten up and tighten the game.
Philadelphia’s defense came up big. In addition to a stop on the Rams’ final drive, they forced two fumbles leading to Eagles field goals. Six points proved to be the difference in the game.
He was 15-of-20 with 128 passing yards and 70 rushing yards. He had a 44-yard rushing touchdown to start the game, but a fumble in the second quarter stifled his rushing ability for the rest of the game.
Stafford was 26-of-44 with 324 passing yards and two touchdown passes. They were sacked five times, including on their final drive, which put extra pressure on them to get a first down.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Bown celebrates after recovering a fumble by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the second half. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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Philadelphia moves on to the NFC Championship Game next Sunday to face the Washington Chiefs.
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