The NFC Championship Game returns to Philadelphia.
With snow conditions intensifying throughout the second half, the Eagles were able to use their home-court advantage against a Southern California team and win 28-22.
Los Angeles gave the Eagles all they could handle, going all the way down to the Philadelphia 13-yard line on their final drive. But a sack on third-and-2 brought the Rams back to fourth-and-11, and Matthew Stafford’s final pass to Puka Nacua was off target and incomplete.
Running back Saquon Barkley continued his tremendous year by running for 205 yards to lead his club to victory. After rushing for two long touchdowns in the regular season matchup between the two teams, Barkley had a 62-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and ran for a 78-yard score in the fourth quarter to help seal it.
In two games against the Rams this year, Barkley has totaled 460 yards rushing and 534 yards from scrimmage.
Los Angeles’ defense sacked Jalen Hurts for a safety late in the third quarter, making the score 16-15, Philadelphia. But on the ensuing Rams drive, Kyren Williams fumbled to stop any momentum.
Jalen Carter had the forced fumble that time, also finishing with 2.0 sacks in the game.
The Eagles scored a 23-yard field goal thanks to this fumble. Then Matthew Stafford was picked off, leading to a 37-yard field goal with 6:18 left, making the score 22-15.
But after a three-and-out, Barkley rushed through the snow for a one-play drive that helped put the game out of reach.
While the Rams scored quickly with Stafford’s 4-yard pass to Colby Parkinson and got the ball back before the two-minute warning, they were unable to get into the end zone again.
The Rams became the first team in playoff history to have at least seven sacks in two consecutive games. After beating Sam Darnold nine times on Monday night, the Rams sacked Hurts seven times on Sunday.
Jared Verse – who made headlines with his comments about Eagles fans – made 2.0 of those sacks on Hurts.
Hurts finished the game 15-of-20 passing for 128 yards. He also totaled 70 yards rushing with a 44-yard touchdown run that opened the scoring.
But as has been the case all season, Barkley was the Eagles’ star, as he totaled 232 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 30 touches.
On the other side, Stafford finished 26 of 44 for 324 yards with two touchdowns and a lost fumble. Stafford continued his streak of throwing for at least two touchdowns in every playoff game he played for Los Angeles.
Puka Nacua caught six passes for 97 yards. Williams had 106 yards on 19 carries with one lost fumble.
The Eagles will host the Commanders for the right to go to Super Bowl LIX next Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on Fox.
