PHILADELPHIA — After careful consideration with his family, Saquon Barkley ultimately decided to part ways with the Giants and join the Philadelphia Eagles. His youngest daughter, Jada, had only one burning question for him regarding their move to Philadelphia: Would this mean that Dad would finally win?
As Barkley celebrated on the field, filled with confetti while holding Jada close, it became clear that victory was indeed on the horizon. The Eagles secured a resounding 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders, propelling them into the Super Bowl with Barkley contributing an impressive performance that included 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns, all on the very first offensive play. Jalen Hurts also added to the excitement, rushing for three touchdowns himself, marking the Eagles’ second Super Bowl appearance in three years, this time against the Kansas City Chiefs coached by former Eagles head coach Andy Reid.
“I came to Philly to be part of games like this,” Barkley remarked, emphasizing the thrill of competing for the Super Bowl. The score of 55 points set a new record for most points scored by any team during a conference championship game since the NFL’s merger in 1970.
Hurts, despite wearing a brace on his injured left knee, showcased his ability to lead the team by passing for 246 yards and connecting on one touchdown throw. The crowd at Lincoln Financial Field was electric for this NFC title match. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressed his trust in Hurts as the team’s quarterback, asserting, “He’s a winner,” responding to the unfounded criticisms surrounding Hurts’ performance.
A.J. Brown shone on the field as well, making six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, adding to the festive atmosphere by pretending to toss the NFC championship trophy off a platform. As the Eagles, who had started the season 2-2, finished the game with a season-high score, they secured their fifth trip to the Super Bowl. The Commanders played a crucial role in not only reaching the NFC title game, securing two crucial road victories leading up to this matchup.
Jayden Daniels, the Commanders’ rookie quarterback, threw for 255 yards with one touchdown and one interception but failed to achieve the milestone of being the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to the Super Bowl. The Commanders’ performance suffered a setback with four critical turnovers, including a fumble lost by Austin Ekeler during the third quarter while the team trailed 34-23.
“We believed that we belonged here,” Daniels stated. His mindset remained steady, treating this significant challenge as just another game to play. The Eagles previously won their only Super Bowl during the 2017 season, with Nick Foles, the quarterback from that memorable game against the New England Patriots, serving now as the honorary captain.
Barkley continued to deliver strong performances on the field. After the Commanders’ opening 18-play drive that resulted in a field goal, Barkley electrified the crowd, which included actor Bradley Cooper, with a dazzling 60-yard touchdown run on the Eagles’ very first play. Notable for being only the ninth running back to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season, Barkley skillfully evaded defenders for a thrilling score.
Later in the game, Barkley’s contributions continued. After the Eagles regained possession following a fumble recovery, he ran for another touchdown, recording two touchdowns on just two carries, pushing the team to an early 14-3 lead. This season, he extends an NFL record for the seventh rushing touchdown of over 60 yards, including playoff performances.
“When he gets going early, it really sets the tone for our offense and helps us establish our rhythm,” Hurts commented about Barkley. Meanwhile, Daniels, who previously led the Commanders to six consecutive wins, made an impressive play by connecting on a 36-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, narrowing the score to 14-12.
Hurts showcased excellence on the field, notably executing a one-yard touchdown run to close the first half, leading the Eagles to a 27-15 halftime score. “I guess he let me out of my straitjacket a little bit today,” Hurts said regarding Sirianni’s offensive strategy.
Securing the Super Bowl berth, Hurts scored another touchdown in the fourth quarter. After a lighthearted moment when the officials promised a touchdown to the Eagles if the Commanders continued with their offside incursions, Hurts achieved his ninth career postseason rushing touchdown, elevating the score to 41-23.
As the game progressed, celebratory confetti began to drift from the upper stands, heralding the upcoming Super Bowl. The Commanders’ attempt for a late-game comeback was thwarted when Nolan Smith delivered a crucial sack on Daniels during a fourth-down attempt. Will Shipley filled in for Barkley, adding a 2-yard touchdown run, culminating in a 55-23 victory and igniting loud “E-A-G-L-E-S! Eagles!” chants throughout the stadium, a sound that will surely resonate in New Orleans.
Injury updates revealed that Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens played despite a back injury, while guard Landon Dickerson suffered a knee injury and running back Kenneth Gainwell underwent evaluation for a concussion received in the third quarter.
Looking ahead, the Eagles are set to travel to New Orleans for a matchup against the reigning two-time champions, the Chiefs, on February 9, coinciding with Barkley’s 28th birthday. Two years prior, the Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl 57, heightening the stakes for this upcoming encounter.
