Philadelphia Eagles (2) – Los Angeles Rams (4): 28-22
Caught in the storm, both the Rams and the Eagles struggled to play their game. But when the weather levels the teams' game, it is the stars who decide the result. Author of an XXL season, Saquon Barkley (26 races, 206 yards, 2 touchdowns) has once again ridiculed the Los Angeles defense.
The performance of Jalen Hurts (15/20, 128 yards) is more mixed, caught in the blizzard just like a quasi-heroic Matthew Stafford (26/44, 324 yards, 2 touchdowns).
Opportunistic in defense and 13 points ahead with less than 5 minutes to go, the residents of Lincoln Financial Field nevertheless gave themselves a big scare by leaving one possession to win in Los Angeles.
The key moment: The fumble caused by Jalen Carter
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Rams reversed the momentum of the game by obtaining an unexpected safety which brought them back to a small point (15-16) and gave them back possession on their 35 yards. They are therefore in a position to lead for the first time in the game. The weather conditions continue to be deplorable. Jalen Hurts, with a leg injury, appears to be very limited.
On the third action of the possession, Jalen Carter places his fist perfectly to blow the swelling out of Kyren Williams' hands (19 carries, 106 yards). Isaiah Rodgers recovers the ball and moves up the field to the opposing 10 yards. If they don't score a touchdown, the Eagles still get within four points thanks to a field goal.
Philadelphia definitely regains control of the match.
The MVP: Saquon Barkley
We could have cited Jalen Carter for his forced fumble, his two sacks and for closing the game on the last possession. But the star of the match is runner Saquon Barkley.
He had inflicted 302 yards on these same Rams in November. Barkley did it again with 232 yards and two touchdowns, including one on a 78-yard highway. Untenable Saquon.
The flop: the weather
Yes, snow makes for beautiful images, but can we really be satisfied with the fact that the most important match of the season for two teams is so leveled at the bottom because of the weather conditions?
Missed receptions, receivers and quarterbacks not in sync, slipping feet and hands, laborious routes. Long live the domes.
The stat: 12
This is the number of sacks conceded by the two quarterbacks, massacred by the opposing defensive lines. And with such cold (-2°C), the sacks have almost double the pain level.
Flattened five times, Matthew Stafford was seen complaining about his ribs in the first half.
More worrying, today's winner Jalen Hurts, tackled on seven occasions, was examined for a leg injury (knee? ankle?). He seemed handicapped at the end of the match, like on the safety cashed in.
Film of the match:
Both teams got off to a flying start, scoring a touchdown on their first possession. For the Eagles, it was a superb run by Jalen Hurts (7 races, 70 yards) for 44 yards. For Los Angeles, a touchdown from Tyler Higbee (7 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD).
Entering the second quarter, the snow began to appear as expected. The rhythm of the two teams suffered: 4 punts out of 6 of the remaining possessions, and a return to the locker room with a short advantage for Philadelphia (13-10).
Returning from the locker room, the game of cat and mouse continues, and the teams are still going blow for blow: the Eagles forcing a punt? So the young Rams defense, symbolized by rookie Jared Verse (2 sacks), also forces a punt. Los Angeles scores a field goal? So Hurts and Dallas Goedert (4 receptions, 56 yards) will also reach the field goal.
16-13 at the end of the third quarter, and with a superb defensive action, Los Angeles thought to turn the match around by causing a safety. Turning point of the match? Not really since the Rams' next two offensive possessions ended in the arms of the dark greens (two fumbles).
The last quarter has everything to be a walk in the park for Philadelphia which increases its lead by 13 points (28-15). But a combination of questionable game choices from Philly and the exploits of teammates from the impeccable Puka Nacua (6 receptions, 97 yards) soon brought the Rams back to 6 points. Worse, the Rams even have a ball to beat the Eagles at the post.
Starting from their 18 yards, Stafford and others quickly moved up the field in the last two minutes and reached the gates of the opposing goal. But great players show up in big moments, and Jalen Carter is for sure a great player. The beautiful baby (142 kg) of 23 years old makes his way through the porous Rams line on a crucial third attempt and tackles Matthew Stafford. The match is sealed, and the Eagles once again advance to the conference finals.
And now ?
Philadelphia is once again one step away from the Super Bowl. In its previous two NFC championship games (2017 and 2022), the Eagles came out on top. This time they will meet some well-known faces: the Washington Commanders, NFC East rivals. The results of these intra-division meetings? One victory each. The beauty will be played next Sunday on the field of Philadelphia.
For the Rams, it was undoubtedly a season that exceeded expectations. Winners of an NFC West promised to the disappointing 49ers, the Rams were able to create a surprise by extinguishing the Vikings with 14 victories in Wild-Cards.
Above all, Los Angeles can rejoice in having once again found nuggets to rebuild its workforce. Drafted last spring, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske are already winning picks just waiting to explode. Second-year players Kobie Turner, Byron Young and of course Puka Nacua have also confirmed. Hats off to General Manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay. The future is bright for LA
