Saquon Barkley he was invited to deliver in a big place.
The Philadelphia Eagles runningback lined up next to running back Jalen Hurts in a shotgun formation with less than five minutes to play in Sunday’s divisional-round playoff game. Hurts looked at Barkley, barely able to see through the snowstorm that was plaguing Lincoln Financial Field. The superstar athlete looked back at his quarterback and said, “I got this.”
Barkley took the handoff and ran like a cannon. He hit the hole, eluded the tackle and ran for a 78-yard touchdown. He knew he would score from 30 meters away.
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Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFC divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The Eagles faithful cheered as they watched their team battle the Los Angeles Rams until the end of the game to win 28-22.
Barkley, who was supposed to be the driving force of the offense with the weather deteriorating, ran for a career-high 205 yards on 26 carries. He had two touchdowns in the game, including a 62-yarder in the first quarter.
“The elements were great, but the atmosphere was even better,” Barkley told NBC after the game. “Our fans are incredible. It was tight, 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 one score.
The Rams were stopped and managed to get the ball back for one final drive. Stafford got Los Angeles on the field thanks to an amazing catch by Puk Nacua.
TOM BRADY RECEIVED PRAISE FOR WATCHING IN KEY TOM PLAYOFF GAME LIONS-COMMANDERS
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 end Neville Gallimore tackles Eagles running back Jalen Hurts during the second half. (AP Photo/Derick Hamilton)
But the Eagles defense held strong and forced an incompletion on fourth down to force a turnover and tie the game.
Philadelphia’s defense was big. In addition to the stop on the Rams’ final drive, they forced two fumbles that led to Eagles field goals. It turned out that the difference in the game was six points.
Hurts was 15 of 20 with 128 yards passing and 70 yards rushing. He had a 44-yard touchdown run early in the game, but took a hit in the second quarter that prevented him from running for the rest of the game.
Stafford was 26-of-44 with 324 passing and two touchdown passes. He was sacked five times, including the last drive that was under more pressure to come up first.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun celebrates after recovering a fumble by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the second half. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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Philadelphia heads to the NFC Championship Game to face the Washington Commanders next Sunday.
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