Los Angeles Rams 22-28 Philadelphia Eagles: Saquon Barkley stars in the snow as Eagles reach NFC Championship Game | NFL News

Saquon Barkley sizzled in the snow as the Philadelphia Eagles survived a late scare to defeat the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 in picturesque but dramatic playoff conditions to reach the NFC Championship game on Sunday.

Barkley drove for 62 yards in the first quarter before extending his team’s lead to 28-15 with a 78-yard scoring drive with five minutes to play on his way to a 205-yard scoring drive on the night, continuing an impressive first year in Philly that saw him eclipse 2,000 receiving yards during the regular season.

Second-year defensive tackle Jalen Carter starred for the Eagles with two sacks, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble as the Rams were forced to pay for costly turnovers.

Jalen Hurts finished 15 of 20 for 128 yards plus a rushing touchdown, while Matthew Stafford threw for 324 yards and two scores as the Rams saw their campaign over.

The Eagles will now advance to face Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders for a spot in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans next weekend, a month after losing 36-33 in a thrilling matchup against the NFC East division rivals.

Statistics leaders

Los Angeles Rams

• Scrolling: Matthew Stafford, 26/44, 324 yards, 2 TDs
• haste: Kyren Williams, 19 carries, 106 yards
• Receiving: Puka Nakoa, 6 catches, 97 yards

Philadelphia Eagles

• Scrolling: Jalen Hurts, 15/20, 128 yards
• haste: Saquon Barkley, 26 carries, 205 yards, 2 TDs
• Receiving: Dallas Goedert, 5 catches, 56 yards

As Rocky Balboa’s music played in Philadelphia, the snow fell and chaos ensued in a second half of slips, slips, falls, drama and a little bit of Saquon.

The Rams threatened with a late twist at Lincoln Financial Field when Stafford connected with Colby Parkinson on a four-yard run with 2.48 to play just moments after Barkley thought he had iced the game with a 78-yard score.

With the Eagles’ next drive stalled, Stafford – armed with 51 game-winning drives to his name – converted on third-and-10 to DeMarcus Robinson before stunning the Eagles with a 37-yard strike to Puka Nakoa, who on the other hand made a great jump catch down the sideline to move his side down. To the 21-yard line with 1.33 remaining.

After a foul play penalty against Kevin Dotson put Los Angeles back on second-and-12, Carter sealed the game moments later by sacking Stafford for a loss of nine on third-and-2. With one last chance, the Rams’ quarterback couldn’t find Nacua as the Eagles breathed a sigh of relief.

Touchdown runs from Jalen Hurts and Barkley gave the Eagles a 13-10 lead at intermission, before Joshua Carty’s 34-yard field goal evened things up on an opening drive of a second half that was heavily affected by falling snow.

Jake Elliott responded with a 44-yard field goal to restore the Eagles’ lead, but not without fear after Hurts suffered a knee injury on a hard hit from blitzing safety Jaylen McCullough. The midfielder was taken for treatment in the blue tent before returning wearing a knee brace.

The pain seemed to persist as his lack of mobility allowed Neville Gallimore to pull him down for a safety that would pull the Rams within 16-15.

Rams running back Williams will feel the inspired wrath of Carter, who successfully punches the ball before seeing teammate Isaiah Rodgers return it to the 10-yard line. Barkley was then stuffed at the one-yard line, but where the Eagles would normally have opted for a “hard push” they instead turned to Barkley again in light of Hurts’ injury.

That led to another stop by the Rams defense, followed by a foul play penalty against Lane Johnson that forced the Eagles to settle for Elliott’s 23-yard field goal attempt to make the score 19-15.

Carter wasn’t the only former Georgia Bulldogs running riot, as Nolan Smith made his presence felt on the Rams’ ensuing drive by forcing another fumble, which Zach Baun recovered to set up Elliott’s 37-yard kick for a 22-15 lead with 6.18 remaining

Knowing the snow was coming, both teams set off traps in search of an early stronghold. And it was the Eagles who scored first on the sixth play from scrimmage as Hurts broke free for a 44-yard rushing touchdown, and Elliott missed the ensuing extra point. It marked the longest stretch of an Eagles quarterback’s NFL career and an immediate reminder of Philadelphia’s read-option threat with Hurts and Barkley.

The Rams issued an immediate response when Tyler Higbee threaded Stafford’s dagger between two defenders at the goal line for a four-yard touchdown at the end of a 13-play drive.

The possession looked like it might stall on third-and-7 when Stafford’s low pass to Higbee was ruled incomplete, only for Sean McVay to make a successful challenge. Williams was later on hand to convert on fourth-and-1 to set up first-and-goal from the four-yard line.

Barkley’s moment wasn’t far behind, as the NFL’s leading rusher after a bruising Mekhi Becton block for a 62-yard touchdown and a 13-7 lead.

Carty cut the lead to three with a 30-yard field goal before Verse delivered derailing sacks on Philadelphia’s next two possessions before halftime.

What’s next?

It’s the conference championship on Sunday, as the Eagles host the leaders in the NFC.

Super Bowl LIX will be held on Sunday, February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Live on Sky Sports NFL.