Saquon Barkley broke through a gap in the snow and dashed untouched into the end zone, celebrating his 78-yard touchdown run with a tap of his helmet on the last snowy steps of his run. The Eagles’ star running back had another big game, running for two touchdowns and leading his team to a 28-22 victory over the Rams in a snowy playoff battle in Philadelphia.
The Rams had prepared for the possibility of snow and strong winds in their trip to Philadelphia, but nothing could stop Barkley. As he crossed the goal line on his 78-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, he waved his arms in celebration before sliding into the snow—truly a memorable moment for Eagles fans.
Barkley’s two long runs, one for 62 yards in the first half and the other for 78 yards in the fourth quarter, helped him finish with 205 rushing yards in the game.
“This is the reason why I came here,” Barkley said after the game. “This was the best opportunity to play in a game like this.”
Barkley’s impressive performance was part of an overall solid Eagles effort. His 62-yard touchdown in the first half and 78-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter gave him four touchdowns of 60+ yards against the Rams this season. Before the snap of his final touchdown, Barkley signaled to quarterback Jalen Hurts that a big play was coming.
“It was fun. It was a play that I asked for,” Barkley said. “It’s a beautiful thing when stuff like that happens.”
The Eagles, now preparing for the NFC Championship game, had a strong showing despite some missed extra points from kicker Jake Elliott. With their win, they earned the right to host the NFC Championship next week against Washington, who surprised the top-seeded Detroit Lions with a win on Saturday.
The Rams kept the game competitive, largely thanks to quarterback Matthew Stafford’s efforts. Stafford, playing through sore ribs, threw for 324 yards and kept his team in the game with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson, making the score 28-22.
The Rams had a chance to make a comeback in the final two minutes, with Stafford completing two big passes to move the ball into Eagles territory. However, a sack by Jalen Carter on third down followed by an incomplete pass on fourth down ended their hopes of a game-winning drive.
The Rams struggled with turnovers in the game, including one by running back Kyren Williams that led to an Eagles field goal and another when Stafford was strip-sacked. These turnovers proved costly as they led to key points for Philadelphia.
The Eagles, who played in the snowy conditions with a lot of energy, celebrated their turnovers by making snow angels in the end zone. Even some brave fans went shirtless in the cold weather to cheer on their team.
The Eagles’ defense was crucial, forcing the Rams into several mistakes. Hurts, despite being sacked seven times and playing with a knee brace, managed to lead his team efficiently.
Barkley was a standout performer, finishing with 118 yards at halftime and showcasing his ability to break off long runs. The Rams’ defense did manage to sack Hurts three times in the first half and caused a safety that brought the score to 16-15. But in the end, it was Barkley’s big plays and the Eagles’ ability to capitalize on turnovers that sealed the victory.
Hurts’ longest run of the game was a 44-yard touchdown early in the first quarter that gave the Eagles a 7-0 lead. After Elliott’s missed extra point, the Rams got on the scoreboard with a touchdown from Tyler Higbee, who had just recovered from a chest injury sustained the previous week.
Barkley’s second touchdown, a 62-yard run, came shortly after, giving the Eagles a 13-7 lead. The Rams, who were without key defensive plays in the second half, struggled to stop Barkley. In a season that had been full of highs and lows, the Rams’ playoff run ended on a tough note, as they could not overcome the turnovers and mistakes made during the game.
Despite the loss, Rams coach Sean McVay praised his team’s effort. “I don’t think anybody ever really expected the end of the season to be right now, and the finality of it is tough for me to swallow,” McVay said.
Philadelphia will now focus on their upcoming NFC Championship game, where they will face Washington with hopes of returning to the Super Bowl.
