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Tim McManus, ESPN editor
PHILADELPHIA – Running back Saquon Barkley isn’t the only dangerous player in the Philadelphia Eagles’ running game, but he and quarterback Jalen Hurts made their presence felt early in their divisional game against the Rams from Los Angeles on Sunday.
Hurts broke off a 44-yard run on Philadelphia’s first possession to give the home team an early 6-0 lead after kicker Jake Elliott failed to convert on the extra point.
Jalen Freaking Hurts 44 meter dash ladies and gentlemen 😌@jalenhurts | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/9Hc4tUz3zI
– Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 19, 2025
Operating shotgun, Hurts faked a handoff to Barkley before finding a seam on the right side of the formation. He escaped a leg tackle before running down the sideline to score. It was the longest streak of his NFL career.
After the Rams responded on the ensuing drive, Barkley — who posted a season-high 255 rushing yards in Week 12 against Los Angeles — picked up where he left off in the opener, interrupting a 62-yard touchdown. the right side at the end of the first quarter to make the score 13-7.
Can we interest you in a 62-yard TD run from Saquon Barkley? 🥶@Saquon | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/6LMfgx82H3
– Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 19, 2025
On third and fourth, Barkley found a big gap between center Cam Jurgens and right tackle Mekhi Becton and sprinted into daylight. He had enough space at the end of the run to allow edge rusher Jared Verse to catch up for a moment before trotting into the end zone.
Barkley had two 70+ yard touchdowns in the previous game against the Rams.
