Saquon Barkley was called upon to deliver in a big spot.
The Philadelphia Eagles running back lined up next to quarterback Jalen Hurts in the shotgun formation with less than five minutes to play in the divisional round playoff game on Sunday. Hurts looked over at Barkley, barely seeing through the blizzard plaguing Lincoln Financial Field. The superstar athlete looked back at his quarterback and said, “I got this.”
Barkley took the hand and ran like he was shot out of a cannon. He hit the hole, avoided a tackle and ran for a 78-yard touchdown. He knew he would score from about 30 yards.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs for a touchdown during the first half of the 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 hold on against the Los Angeles Rams for the rest of the game, winning 28-22.
Barkley, who was supposed to be the driving force of the offense where the weather took a turn for the worse, ran for a career-high 205 yards on 26 carries. He had two touchdowns in the game, including a 62-yard score in the first quarter.
“The elements were great, but the atmosphere was even better,” Barkley told NBC after the game. “Our fans are great. It was close, but it’s playoff football and at the end of the day, we got the job done.”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford gave Los Angeles everything it 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. That brought the game within one score.
The Rams got a stop and were able to get the ball back for one final drive. Stafford got Los Angeles down the field thanks to an incredible catch from Puka Nacua.
TOM BRADY IS PRAISED FOR OBSERVATION AT CRUCIAL POINT IN LIONS-COMMANDERS PLAYOFF GAME
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley sits in the snow after scoring a touchdown against the Rams. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Rams defensive tackle Neville Gallimore tackles Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second half. (AP Photo/Derik 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 came up big. Except for the stop on the final Rams drive, they forced two fumbles that led to Eagles field goals. Six points proved to be the difference in the game.
Hurts was 15-of-20 with 128 passing yards and 70 rushing yards. He had a 44-yard rushing touchdown to start the game, but suffered a concussion in the second quarter, hampering his ability to run 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 by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the second half. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia moves on to the NFC Championship Game to face the Washington Commanders next Sunday.
