Saquon Barkley breaks several rushing records, Jalen Carter comes up big and the clutch, Jalen Hurts was outstanding and was injured, Birds are one win from the Super Bowl .
The Philadelphia Eagles (16-3) will be playing in the NFC Championship next Sunday at the Linc against the Washington Commanders after defeating a very stubborn Los Angeles Rams team that nearly pulled off a dramatic fourth quarter comeback.
From the second quarter on, the game was played in blizzard-like snow storm that made operating a traditional offense nearly impossible.
The Rams (11-8) fell behind 28-15 with 4:36 left in the fourth after Saquon Barkley raced 78 yards on first-and-ten at the Eagles 22 to score what looked like the dagger play of the game.
But Matthew Stafford rallied his team. Even with the field covered with snow, the Rams needed just 1:48 to go 70 yards on ten plays, ending with a four-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Colby Parkinson to make the score 28-22.
After the Eagles manufactured possibly their worst drive of the game going three and out in just 13 seconds...giving up a 12-yard sack in the process, Stafford almost pulled off the impossible.
With 2:23 left on the clock and no timeouts, the 16-year veteran drove his team to the the Eagles 13-yard line with 1:13 left in the fourth.
It looked like curtains for the Birds.
But on the next play, on third-and-two, Stafford dropped back, looking for the play that would send the Rams to the conference championship at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
But Eagles freshly-minted second team All Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter powered his way through the Rams O-line and wrapped up Stafford for a back breaking nine-yard sack.
On fourth-and 11 from the Eagles 22, Stafford attempted a pass to Puka Nacua near the end zone...but again Carter pressured Stafford to throw a bad pass that ended the game.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Carter also forced the first of two consecutive turnovers by the Rams that led to six crucial points…two Jake Elliott field goals of 23 and 37 yards.
The second turnover was caused by a strip sack by edge rusher Nolan Smith.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni talked about Carter and his timely contributions to the win.
“Yeah, he's a special player,” said Sirianni, who with the win, became just the ninth head coach in NFL history to lead their teams to 16+ wins multiple times (including playoffs), joining Bill Belichick (five), Andy Reid (three), Joe Gibbs (two), Bill Parcells (two), George Seifert (two), Mike Shanahan (two), Don Shula (two) and Bill Walsh (two). “Jalen Carter is a special player and he's done so many of the right things to continue to make himself a special player.
"Can't say enough about Vic (Fangio) and the job he does of putting him in positions to succeed.
“That, to me, was a championship effort by the defense. And we earned a right to play for a championship, the NFC Championship this week against a really good football team. Jalen Carter, I can't say enough good things about his development as a player. That just doesn't happen because of talent. He's talented as -- you guys see it. He's so talented.
“But, in this league there are a lot of guys that are talented. It takes more than talent to reach your potential, and he's continuing to rise. That speaks a lot to Jalen Carter.”
Jalen Hurts talked about Carter’s late sack and how it impacted the outcome.
“Great defensive play,” Hurts said. “Sitting there, watching from the sideline, my mindset is preparing for two minute offense. Just getting ready for the game and what’s going to be demanded of the offense and myself to go out there and win it. But our defense went out there and ended it on their terms, and I couldn’t be more proud of them for that.”
EAGLES HAD PLENTY OF SUPER HEROES ON SUNDAY
Pick your Superman.
Isaiah Rodgers Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who replaced an injured Quinyon Mitchell in the first half came up with one of the biggest plays of the game, scooping up a Kyren Williams fumble (caused by Carter) on the first play of the fourth quarter and returning it 40 yards to the Rams ten yard line.
The Eagles offensive line put on a master class showing with running blocking that produced a club record 285 yards and 3 TDs on 34 carries (8.4 avg.) in win, but the unit also had its warts.
After handing the ball off to Barkley three consecutive times, the Birds faced a fourth and goal from the one. One the snap, Lane Johnson was called for a false start forcing the Birds to settle for three points.
Rodgers talked about the turnover that still impacted the game.
“I just saw the ball fall right in front of me,” Rodgers said. “I just scooped it. I don’t know who [the Rams o-lineman] was, he was huge…he tried to kill me. I just put a spin move on him and started running. I heard the crowd getting loud, so I knew I was getting close to the end zone. So I just kept running.”
Rodgers, who finished with five total tackles (four solo) and two defended passes, said he told Mitchell, who is likely to play in the NFC title game, on the sidelines to stay optimistic.
“I was just telling him to keep his head up,” Rodgers said at his locker after the game. “I knew I had to go out there and do what I can do to at least fill in a little bit for him. He’s a hell of a player, hell of an addition to the team. I just wanted to go out there and help in the best way I can.”
Saquon Barkley’s season is keeping those who track records pretty busy. The 27-year-old set a franchise record of 205 yards rushing on 26 carries and two touchdowns.
The playoff record was formerly held by Eagles legend Steve Van Buren (196 in the 1949 NFL Championship, also against the Rams).
Barkley said he was aware of the team record going into the game. He said setting the record meant a lot to him.
“It’s special,” Barkley said at his locker after the game. “I looked it up. I was wondering…what is the record? I saw it was 195, 196 yards.”
What made him look it up?
“I felt like this week…you know…chase greatness. I felt that this week could be special. I had a good game last week. You want to build a legacy. I want to visualize stuff, I was wondering what the record was…funny how that happened.”
What did it feel like to not be watching a big playoff game…being in one?
“It felt new,” Barkley said. “This is the reason I came here. Me and my family…we wanted the opportunity to play in a game like this. I am happy for the opportunity. I’m happy to be here. I’m looking ford to playing in the championship game.”
Barkley said he knew what the most important thing was on Sunday and it was rushing records.
"It was the same message as last week – the most important thing is winning football games, especially around this time of year," Barkley said. "Whatever it takes. Defense, our defense is special. Making plays for us. Of course, we're going to go back and watch and see what we can do better on offense. Our offensive line did a great job for us, we made the plays and got a win."
Barkley said he was aware the weather was going to be a challenge.
“We knew the snow was coming throughout the week and we didn't let that distract us,” Barkley said. “We had to play in the snow, we knew they had to play in the snow. It's about being mentally tough...we talked about it the whole game. It came down to the last second, but couldn't have done it without that.”
RAMS THOUGHT THEY HAD A CHANCE TO STEAL THE GAME
Sean McVay thought they were going to comne back and steal the game when the Eagles went three-and-out after the Rams made the score 29-22.
Stafford got the ball to the Eagles 13-yard line. Then Carter wrecked the Rams dreams of an NFC home title game.
The head coach was asked what his feeling was when they had possession with a little more than two minutes left in the game:
“Twenty-nine to 28 was all that I saw,” McVay said at his postgame press conference. “There was nothing you could tell me that wasn't going to go down like that. Stafford did that.
“And unfortunately, we had a miscommunication on the third and fourth that put us back where you book a special player when we probably could have converted on that play.
“It moves you back. I won't talk about what I thought occurred on the fourth down, but [Stafford] led us. He put us in a position to be able to win that football game, and that's who he is, and I'm not at all surprised.
“We all had the expectation with him leading the way that we were going to win that game. And he did everything, and he did his part to put us in a position to be able to do that.”
Stafford talked about the fourth down play that ended the game.
“I didn't get to see the end of the play on fourth down that everybody's talking about or whatever, threw it and got knocked down or whatever,” the 16-year veteran said. “So I didn't get to see the end of the play. I know [Darius] Slay well enough to know his body language and that smile, knowing you know how he felt about that play, but battled against him a bunch of times in practice over the years.
“And have a ton of respect for who he is as a player. But the bottom line is, we could have done some things to keep ourselves ahead of the sticks and not have a fourth and forever.
“I'm not going to dwell on that too much. We walked the ball down with four minutes left, or whatever it was, walked the ball down quickly. Just got a touchdown.
"Defense did a heck of a job, got the stop, and kind of punted down deep into our territory, and when we hit some plays, and you know, got it to where we wanted to be, had a chance for it, and didn't get it done.
“But I love competing. I love being in those moments, sure as heck not afraid of them, and competed my ass off and didn't go the way I wanted it to today. Next time I'm out there, line it up. Let's do it again.”
Stafford was 26 of 44 for 324 yards, two TD passes and five sacks. He talked about how difficult it was to execute in those extreme weather conditions.
“Yeah, it was difficult,” he said. “There were some moments where it was a little bit tougher than others. I think it was probably tougher to catch it than maybe it was to throw it.
“But, yeah, I mean, certainly that ball that we had a missed exchange on in the third quarter, on the right side, handing that ball off, I mean, last second, that one shot out of my hand. So, it was difficult. You were going to have to deal with it.
“We knew that. But for the most part, we just battled. I was so proud of our group, our defense. I mean, shoot, we gave them a short field a few times, and they're able to hold them to three. Then we turned it on and started playing some good ball.”
HURTS ALL OVER
Hurts also played his ass of as well. The five-year veteran was15 of 20 for 128 yards, no touchdown passes but no turnovers.
He was sacked a whopping seven times. The weather was a factor for sure, but that is a lot of pounding especially since Hurts rushed seven times for 70 yards including a 44-yard touchdown run to open the scoring for the game.
Late in the third quarter, Hurts was sacked on a 2nd-and-15 play from the Rams' 27 by Jaylen McCullough. Hurts was limping after the play and went to the injury tent. He returned to the game.
Hurts was asked how he felt physically after the game.
“Tough game,” he said. “A challenging game. I was able to finish the game, and we will see how the week goes.”
On if he suffered two separate injuries during the game:
“No.”
Hurts was asked whether his status is uncertain for next week:
“Great question,” he said. “No. Just seeing how the week will go. Seeing how things progress.”
He was asked whether he feels confident that he will play next week:
“Yeah.”
Hurts was asked what it means playing late in the season trying to get to the Super Bowl.
“It is everything,” he said. “This is what you work for. This is what all of our energy and all of my energy has been geared towards.”
Playing in the snow? Hurts is from the SEC, not the BIG10. It does not snow much in Alabama.
“It was a new experience,” Hurts said. “Definitely, next time that happens, I'll be able to look back and pull from this game and be better from it.”
Hurts was asked about what kind of things he will pull from today’s game, especially with the conditions.
“Well, the communication is important,” He said. “The fundamentals are important. And just being in attack mode. But I think those are all things that generally you should be focused on anyway, regardless of the conditions.
"I want to give a ton of credit to the team we just played. They've evolved as the years have gone on, and offensively, defensively, they've been very, very efficient in what they do.
“We talked about their front seven all week and how they're able to affect the pass, and they did that tonight. On the other side of the ball, they were able to move the ball at certain points, but our defense nutted up and played a hell of a game.
“They got some crucial turnovers in those moments. Just attest that to the work that everyone has put in and be able to come out here and play in a snow game.”
On what he takes away from the pressure he faced today:
“I’ll need to watch the film to be able to assess it better, but rhythm is everything,” Hurts said. “Rhythm is everything, and we just have to be able to find our rhythm in what we do.
“And rhythm doesn’t mean quick passes, long passes, or whatever. It’s just finding our niche in what we do. I think what we’ve been able to do this year in terms of what our rhythm is, we love to start off fast in some way, get some explosives, and pop some big time explosive plays in the second half.
“I think Saquon has been tremendous at that. Rain, sleet, or snow, he’s been able to pound, pound, pound, and then take it off. That was fun.”
Hurts joked about his big run for a touchdown that opened the scoring.
“Saquon needed a break, so I told him I'd do it first. Get me a piece.”
STATS
Tight end Dallas Goedert caught four passes for 56 yarss to lead the Birds. Barkley also caught four passes for 27 yards. DeVonta Smith caught all four passes thrown his way for 21 yards. A.J. Brown caught just two passes (seven targets) for 14 yards.
Kyren Williams rushed 19 yards for 106 yards. Tight end Tyler Higbee led the Rams with seven catches for 54 yards and a TD.
Nacua caught six passes for 97 yards.
Linebacker Christian Rozeboom led the Rams with eight total tackles (seven solo).
Super rookie linebacker Jared Verse registered two sacks, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits.
Zack Baun kept busy with six tackles (five solo), a tackle for loss, a defended pass and a fumble recovery.
Slay knocked down three passes to go along with his six tackles (five solo).
Nolan Smith booked three tackles including a sack and a forced fumble.
Carter’s line consisted of five tackles (three solo), two sacks, three quarterback hits, a defended pass and forced fumble. *
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com
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