NFL

NFL Divisional Round Fans Respond To Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles Plowing Through Los Angeles Rams

Author photo
By
Jeff Hawkins
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better

Sports Editor

Published19 Jan 2025

Disclosure
We publish independently audited content meeting strict editorial standards. While our content features sponsored links, from which we may earn a commission, this does not influence our recommendations.

The Los Angeles Rams needed to do two things Sunday in their NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

The first was to slow down running back Saquon Barkley. 

The second was to hold on to the ball. 

The Rams failed at both, falling 28-22 at a snowy Lincoln Financial Field. 

Barkley rushed for 205 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown run with 4:36 remaining in the fourth quarter, clinching a trip to next weekend’s conference championship game against the visiting Washington Commanders. 

The Rams lost two fourth-quarter fumbles on consecutive drives. The Eagles scored 10 points off the turnovers. 

In the end, Barkley posted the NFL’s fifth-best postseason rushing mark in playoff history and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford fell just short of completing his 52nd career comeback.  

X (Twitter) s responded to Barkley’s top move of the day …  

The pre-game scene …

What was in Barkley’s bag of tricks? Plenty …  

The Rams opened Sunday on a postseason mission … 

Maligned Eagles QB Jalen Hurts rambled for 44 yards for a game-opening touchdown. Kicker Jake Elliott missed the point-after attempt …

On a third-and-goal play, Stafford hit Tyler Higbee on a 4-yard TD. It was an early big play for the offense considering they went 0-8 on third-down conversions during a 37-20 regular-season victory on Nov. 25 …  

Barkley reached into his bag for a 62-yard scoring run with 1:07 remaining in the first quarter, providing the Eagles with a 13-7 lead. Barkley also executed runs of 70 and 72 yards versus the Rams earlier this season. His best effort was yet to come … 

Wonder why some Eagles fans voice their displeasure with Hurts? In the first half, Hurts attempted just three es over five air yards, completing none. On nine es under five air yards, Hurts was 9 of 9 for 66 yards …  

Rams kicker Joshua Karty opening the second- and third-quarter scoring with field goals, the first from 30 yards and the second from 34 yards, forging a 13-13 tie with 7:23 into the second half … 

Hurts came up lame following a sack by Jaylen McCollough, the Rams’ fifth of the game. Before entering the medical tent, Hurts was barely mobile on a third-down handoff. Elliott connected on a 44-yard field goal, giving the Eagles a 16-13 advantage … 

Hurts remained in the tent for about five minutes, reappearing with a brace on his knee. Under pressure, Hurts failed to get out of the way. Rams defensive lineman Neville Gallimore sacked Hurts with 26 seconds remaining in the third quarter …

Punched out by Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter, Rams running back Kyren Williams fumbled again against the Eagles. During the Week 12 matchup, Williams fumbled twice. Sunday’s mishandle was recovered by Isaiah Rodgers and returned to the 10-yard line. The first turnover of the game led to an Eagles field goal and a 19-15 lead … 

Following the Rams’ second consecutive lost fumble, Elliott eventually extended the Eagles’ lead to 22-15 with a 37-yarder with 6:18 remaining …

Barkley again, followed by a missed PAT … 

 

Stafford kept the Rams alive with a 4-yard scoring to Colby Parkinson, capping a 10-play, 70-yard drive in just 1:48, pulling the Rams to within 28-22 … 

Final score: Eagles 28, Rams 22 …

Related

Sports
Jeff Hawkins  •  26 Jan 2025
NFL
Jeff Hawkins  •  13 Jan 2025
NFL
Jeff Hawkins  •  12 Jan 2025
NFL
Anthony Cardenas  •  06 May 2025

Tags

Author photo
Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better

Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on All posts by Jeff Hawkins