Saquon Barkley turned Lincoln Financial Field into his personal winter wonderland Sunday, slicing through the snow and the Los Angeles Rams’ defense with breathtaking long touchdown runs that lifted the Philadelphia Eagles to a 28-22 victory. With the win, the Eagles advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three years and will host the Washington Commanders next Sunday.
Barkley, the Eagles’ 2,000-yard rusher, was the star of the show, racking up 205 rushing yards, including electrifying touchdown runs of 78 and 62 yards. The former Giant, who joined Philadelphia in the offseason on a three-year, $26 million deal, celebrated his late-game heroics with a slide in the snow as the home crowd erupted in cheers.
The Rams entered Philadelphia prepared for the gusty winds and snowfall, but they had no answer for Barkley, who delivered his fifth touchdown run of 50-plus yards this season. His 62-yard score in the first half gave the Eagles a 13-7 lead, and his 78-yard sprint in the fourth quarter sealed the game. On his final snowy strides, Barkley smacked his helmet in jubilation before waving his arms in celebration and sliding into the end zone.
“These are the moments you dream of,” Barkley said postgame. “Big games, big plays, and doing it all in the snow. This city has embraced me, and I’m happy to deliver.”
Barkley wasn’t the only one making plays on the ground. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts opened the game with the longest touchdown run of his career, a 44-yarder that sent the snow-covered crowd into a frenzy. However, Hurts’ day was marred by relentless pressure from the Rams’ defense, which sacked him seven times. Hurts, playing with a knee brace, managed only 128 passing yards but gutted out a tough performance to keep the Eagles’ Super Bowl hopes alive.
The Rams, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, refused to go down quietly. Despite nursing sore ribs, Stafford threw for 324 yards and a late 4-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson, cutting the Eagles’ lead to 28-22. With two minutes left, Stafford completed consecutive passes to move the Rams into Eagles territory, but a sack by Jalen Carter and an incomplete pass on fourth down ended their comeback hopes.
Turnovers plagued the Rams throughout the game. A fumble by Kyren Williams set up a field goal for the Eagles, and a strip-sack of Stafford led to another. Despite their defensive efforts—three sacks in the first half and constant pressure on Hurts—the Rams couldn’t overcome their mistakes.
“We fought hard, but you can’t win playoff games with that many turnovers,” Stafford said.
The game wasn’t just memorable for Barkley’s heroics but also for the atmosphere. Stadium workers cleared snow off the field with blowers, while Eagles defenders celebrated turnovers by making snow angels in the end zone. Fans embraced the wintry chaos, with some brave souls even going shirtless in the frigid temperatures.
Even Santa Claus made an appearance in the stands, and, in a rare moment for Philadelphia sports lore, there were no reports of snowball-throwing incidents involving St. Nick.
The Eagles will now prepare to host the Washington Commanders, who pulled off a stunning upset over No. 1 seed Detroit on Saturday. Philadelphia’s high-powered rushing attack, led by Barkley, has given them a significant edge this postseason.
“We’re built for these moments,” Hurts said. “Snow, rain, or sunshine—it doesn’t matter. We’re going to fight for each other and this city.”
With a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, the Eagles’ “Snow Birds” will look to keep flying high next Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
