In a thrilling divisional round matchup, star running back Saquon Barkley put the Philadelphia Eagles on his back, rushing for a monstrous 205 yards and two touchdowns to lead his team to a 28-22 victory over the defending champion Los Angeles Rams. Barkley’s heroic effort, highlighted by a game-sealing 78-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, propelled the Eagles to their first NFC championship game appearance since 2019.
However, in a surprising postgame admission, Barkley revealed that he may not have been aligned correctly in the formation on his crucial fourth-quarter scoring scamper. When asked about the play, the humble superstar quipped:
[I] think I was on the wrong side. But we don’t got to have that part of the story.
– Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles running back
Barkley’s Historic Playoff Performance
Regardless of his alignment, there was no denying Barkley’s dominance on the field. His 205 rushing yards marked the third-highest single-game total in Eagles playoff history, trailing only Wilbert Montgomery’s 216 yards in 1981 and Steve Van Buren’s 206 yards in 1949. Barkley also became the first player in NFL postseason history to record multiple touchdown runs of 60+ yards in a single game.
The dynamic back consistently gashed the Rams’ usually stout defense, averaging a staggering 9.8 yards per carry on his 21 attempts. His explosive runs proved to be the difference-maker in a hard-fought battle between two NFC powerhouses.
Jalen Hurts’ Efficient Performance
While Barkley stole the show, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts also delivered an efficient performance, completing 18 of 25 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. Hurts’ ability to make plays with both his arm and legs kept the Rams’ defense off-balance throughout the game.
Looking Ahead to the NFC Championship
With their divisional round victory, the Eagles now advance to host the NFC championship game against the winner of the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys matchup. Philadelphia will look to ride the momentum of Barkley’s historic performance as they aim to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since their victory in Super Bowl LII.
Other Divisional Round Highlights
Barkley’s admission wasn’t the only noteworthy quote from the divisional round. Here are some other highlights:
- Patrick Mahomes’ acrobatic TD pass: Chiefs coach Andy Reid reminded his staff not to take Mahomes’ magic for granted after the QB’s falling TD toss to Travis Kelce.
- Jayden Daniels’ dual-threat dominance: The Commanders rookie QB called his passing and rushing abilities “the best of both worlds” after leading Washington to a 45-42 upset of the top-seeded Lions.
As the playoffs continue, fans can expect more thrilling performances and memorable moments from the NFL’s biggest stars. With a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, the stakes have never been higher.
