Saquon Barkley was called upon to deliver in a big place.
The Philadelphia Eagles running back lined up next to quarterback Jalen Hurts in the shotgun formation with less than five minutes left in Sunday’s divisional round playoff game. Hurts looked at Barkley, barely seeing through the blizzard ravaging Lincoln Financial Field. The superstar athlete looked at his quarterback and said, “I got it.”
Barkley took the handoff and ran like he had been shot out of a cannon. He got to the hole, avoided a tackle and ran for a 78-yard touchdown. I knew I would score from about 30 yards away.
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Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs for a touchdown during the first half of the NFC divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The Eagles faithful cheered as they watched their team hold on against the Los Angeles Rams for the rest of the game and win, 28-22.
Barkley, who was going to be the driving force of the offense with the weather worsening, rushed for a record 205 yards on 26 carries. He had two touchdowns in the game, including a 62-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
“The elements were great, but the atmosphere was even better,” Barkley told NBC after the game. “Our fans are amazing. It was very close, but that’s playoff 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. A 10-play, 70-yard drive after Barkley scored in the fourth quarter led to a touchdown pass to Coby Parkinson. He brought the game to a point.
The Rams stopped and were able to get the ball back for one last drive. Stafford brought Los Angeles onto the field thanks to an incredible catch by Puka Nacua.
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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 during the second half. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
But the Eagles defense stood strong and forced an incomplete pass on fourth down to force a turnover and solidify the game.
Philadelphia’s defense did a great job. Aside from the stop on the Rams’ final drive, they forced two fumbles that led to Eagles field goals. Six points proved to be the difference in the game.
Hurts was 15-for-20 with 128 passing yards and 70 rushing yards. He had a 44-yard rushing touchdown to start the game, but took a hit in the second quarter that hampered his ability to run for the rest of the game.
Stafford was 26 of 44 with 324 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He was sacked five times, including on the final drive that put more pressure on them to get the first down.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun celebrates after recovering a fumble from Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford during the second half. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia advances to the NFC Championship Game to face the Washington Commanders next Sunday.
