The Eagles are one win away from the Super Bowl

If you’re reading this, your heart survived the Rams’ terrifying surge in the final minutes of Sunday’s Eagles victory. Congratulations.

The game wasn’t pretty, despite the picturesque snowfall in Philadelphia. And concerns abound for the Birds as they prepare to host the NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders. But a win is a win is a win, and the Eagles find themselves just one more W away from the big game.

In the email today:

• ❄ Saquon Barkley runs wild in the snow

• 💪 Jalen Carter was an absolute menace for the Eagles in second half

• 🎢 Jake Elliott put Eagles fans on a roller coaster

  • 📆 This Day in Philly Sports History

  • 📊 Poll

  • 🔗 Links

  • 📺 Coming Up

Eagles fans wanted snow. They wanted to see Saquon Barkley breaking off long runs in the snow. And more than anything, of course, they wanted a win.

After Mother Nature provided the precipitation, Barkley granted fans’ other wishes: 205 yards on 26 carries, two rushing touchdowns, 27 yards on four receptions, and the dub.

The superstar running back scored on a 62-yard run in the first quarter:

As field conditions worsened, the Birds’ offense continued to rely on the run game. And with 4:36 remaining in the game, Barkley struck again:

After the game, Barkley handed the game ball to a young fan. Later, at his locker, he spoke glowingly about his teammates’ efforts. We continue to believe that this man was created in a Penn State lab of some kind, as an experiment to build the perfect football player.

The New York Giants actually let Saquon Barkley walk to a division rival. Incredible.

As our colleague Tim Kelly detailed Sunday on 🚦THE Philadelphia Sports Website, the Birds’ Jalen Carter was the most dominant defensive player on the field in the second half of Sunday’s game.

And yes, that includes the Rams’ Jared Verse, who had a hell of a game of his own. The two linemen met for a quick chat during warmups:

Turns out Verse won’t get that $77,000 either, in large part due to Carter.

“With the Eagles clinging to a 16-15 fourth-quarter lead . . . the Rams handed the ball to running back Kyren Williams, looking to start a go-ahead drive,” writes Tim. “Carter had other plans, punching the ball out. The fumble was picked up by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and returned 40 yards, with the Eagles eventually adding onto their lead with a 23-yard field goal from Jake Elliott.”

“Things would get way too close for comfort late in the fourth quarter, with the Rams driving deep into Eagles territory and looking poised to score the go-ahead touchdown. But on third-and-two from the Eagles' 13-yard line, Carter broke through Los Angeles' offensive line and sacked Stafford for a nine-yard loss.”

“That disgusting swim move from Carter put the Rams — who needed a touchdown — in a fourth-and-11. Stafford threw an errant pass in the direction of Puka Nacua on fourth down, turning the ball over on downs and effectively ending the game.

“Carter finished his third career postseason game with three quarterback hits, two sacks, two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble.”

Without Carter’s late-game heroics, the Rams would probably be hosting Sunday’s NFC Championship.

The Eagles are in the NFC Conference title game at home next week largely because of Jake Elliott. Had they lost yesterday, though, they would have headed to an early playoff exit largely because of Jake Elliott.

It’s tough to be the hero and the goat in the same game. Elliott did it.

About that. The line went from Eagles -6.5 to Eagles -7.5 in the hour before kickoff. The 28-22 final was never comfortable. And tens of thousands of Eagles line bettors didn’t cash because Elliott missed two extra points.

Or is that an oversimplification? Elliott made field goals from 44, 22 and 37 in whatever falls short of a blizzard but far exceeds a nuisance dusting.

The footing was terrible, the temperatures were falling, the wind was swirling…and Elliott posted nine points from those three kicks when six would have been pretty damn good. You can’t love the field goal makes and loathe the extra point misses. Can you?

About that, part two. Saquon Barkley ripped off a 78-yard sprint to pay dirt with 4:36 left in the game to put the Eagles up 13. Elliott missed the extra point. Linc vibes: “That’s…not great.”

Smash cut to 1:14 left, the Rams are only down six (not seven!) and have 3rd and 2 from the Eagles’ 13. In that moment, a 29-28 Rams lead with the Eagles trying to go down the field with an injured Jalen Hurts and an iffy Elliott was IN PLAY.

Thankfully it never came to that.

Did he know all along? You know what? Let’s not think about it.

📆 This Day in Philly Sports History

On January 20, 1967, Wilt Chamberlain made all fifteen of his field goal attempts in 119-108 Sixers win over the Lakers.

Chamberlain’s night set a new NBA record for consecutive shots made. He would go on to top that mark twice during the 1966-1967 season, with streaks of 32 and 35 shots.

📊 Poll

Results from Friday:

It is almost impossible to overestimate Saquon Barkley and the Birds’ offensive line.

🔗 Links

• 💰️ The Dodgers signed Tanner Scott and extended their 2025 payroll over $375 million.

• 🏴‍☠️ On the opposite side of that coin, Pirates fans want the team sold to anyone who will spend money on better players.

• 😡 The NFL continues to have a significant optics problem with how Chiefs games are officiated.

• 🏀 Caitlin Clark joined Taylor Swift to watch Travis Kelce and the Chiefs.

• 📱For a few minutes, it looked like athletes and fans alike were going to have to live without TikTok.

📺 Coming Up

No games for the locals tonight.

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.

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