PHILADELPHIA — In a snowy showdown, Kyren Williams made a slick move on the field, only for the Rams’ leading rusher to lose control of the ball, allowing the Eagles to recover. This miscue marked a crucial moment for Los Angeles, as Matthew Stafford faced similar fate shortly thereafter, being strip-sacked and losing the football again. These two fumbles transformed into pivotal field goals for the Eagles in the fourth quarter, ultimately contributing to the Rams’ 28-22 loss—a game that could have positioned them for an NFC Championship matchup at home.
Rams head coach Sean McVay acknowledged the challenges posed by the weather conditions, remarking that the turnovers were more likely to occur in such elements. Despite starting the season with a rough 1-4 record, the Rams managed to contract clinch the NFC West title, advancing through a quick turnaround after a playoff victory against Minnesota. They maintained competitiveness until the game’s final moments, even while grappling with the aftermath of wildfires devastating parts of Southern California.
Stafford, battling through sore ribs, threw for 324 yards and helped his team stay in the game with a touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson that narrowed the Eagles’ lead to 28-22. With two minutes left on the clock, Stafford led the Rams on a final drive, completing passes of 11 and 37 yards to push into Philadelphia territory. Unfortunately, his momentum was halted when Jalen Carter sacked him on third down, leading to an incomplete fourth-down attempt that dashed the Rams’ hopes.
Reflecting on the game, McVay mentioned the shift in momentum that favored his squad as they neared the end but recognized the costly mistakes that prevented them from securing the victory. Cooper Kupp had a quieter night with only five receptions for 61 yards, while Tyler Higbee made a significant return, snagging a touchdown after missing time due to a previous chest injury.
Williams managed a respectable 106 rushing yards, but his fumble overshadowed his efforts on the field. Stafford expressed disappointment, noting that the offense was clicking before unforced errors disrupted their rhythm.
On the other side, Saquon Barkley proved formidable, breaking loose for rushing touchdowns of 62 and 78 yards while accumulating a staggering total of 205 yards. In total, Barkley amassed 459 yards and four touchdowns across two matchups against the Rams this season, showcasing his dominance.
While the Rams managed a safety against Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, they found themselves running out of time to stage a comeback—as opposed to earlier in the season where they faced similar challenges but couldn’t quite secure the win.
Stafford praised his teammates, expressing pride in their resilience despite the early skepticism surrounding their season and potential changes within the team. The playoff atmosphere was electric as roughly 65,000 fans filled the stands, many celebrating the Eagles’ win.
The game featured its share of drama with Rams rookie linebacker Jared Verse, who previously remarked his disdain for Eagles fans, becoming a target of light-hearted ridicule from Barkley during the game. As Barkley scored a critical touchdown, he took a moment to taunt Verse, who had drawn attention both for his competitive spirit and solid performance throughout the season. Despite his bravado, the Eagles continued to control the game, advancing closer to their second Super Bowl appearance in three years.
