The Philadelphia Eagles rode star running back Saquon Barkley all year to a division title, and now they are one win away from a conference championship. The MVP candidate, just the ninth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season, continued his career year with another monster performance Sunday.
Barkley had 205 yards rushing and two scores — primarily in the snow — to help the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 and advance to the NFC championship game. Philadelphia will host division rival Washington, a team fresh off an upset of top seed Detroit in the divisional rounds.
Let’s take a look at how it all went down.
Before the snow started to cover Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday, the Eagles took an early 6-0 lead thanks to a 44-yard scramble by quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Jalen Hurts TD run
The Rams, however, responded a few minutes later in the first quarter. Matthew Stafford led a 13-play, 67-yard drive that culminated in a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tyler Higbee.
Tyler Higbee TD catch
With the Rams leading 7-6 with 1:07 left in the first quarter, Barkley showed why he's the best running back in the league. He found a hole through the line and burst free for a 62-yard touchdown run that put Philadelphia ahead 13-7.
Los Angeles would go on to kick two field goals and force a safety, while Philadelphia added three field goals of its own through the middle of the fourth quarter. But the Eagles, leading 22-15 with 4:36 left, put the game away on Barkley’s second score of the night, a 78-yard touchdown run.
Barkley's second TD run
After the game, he and Hurts spoke with NBC's Melissa Stark about the victory.
"The elements were great, but the atmosphere was even better," Barkley said. "Our fans are amazing. That was a close one, but that's playoff football. At the end of the day, we got the job done."
Eagles defensive back Darius Slay said he's ready for Washington next Sunday. The Commanders defeated the Detroit Lions 45-31 on the road Saturday.
"We'll see them next week. It's going to be a great battle. I'm looking forward to it," he said. "A divisional rival. It's going to be fun."
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