Was it pretty? No. Was it effective? Yes. The Eagles did just enough to survive the Los Angeles Rams and secure their spot in the NFC Championship game. The heavy snow was a hinderance to both teams, and littered the game with unpredictable moments. While many fans may feel uneasy after a shaky performance by the Eagles this past Sunday, my biggest takeaway is this team’s resilience. Despite terrible weather and disastrous plays, the Philadelphia Eagles kept doing what they’ve done all season: win.
Local fan Chris shared his thoughts about Sunday’s Eagles vs. Commanders matchup while tending bar at Lost Tavern Brewing in Hellertown this week. (Credit: Helen Behe)
Saquon Barkley, who is a lock for Offensive Player of the Year, added two more touchdown runs of 40+ yards on Sunday and finished the game with 255 all-purpose yards. Though the Rams did an admirable job slowing down Barkley in short-yardage situations, they were unable to prevent his inevitable home-run scampers, and it cost them the game. With 4:45 left in the 4th quarter, Barkley broke loose for a 62-yard touchdown run to extend Philly’s lead to two scores. Barkley’s ability to score from anywhere on the field will be crucial to the Eagles’ success against the Washington Commanders this Sunday. The Commanders’ offense is firing on all cylinders, and the Eagles must keep pace. Many fans would rather avoid a reenactment of the Rams game, which came down to the final 30 seconds and required a Herculean effort by Jalen Carter to secure the win.
Just as Barkley is the heartbeat of the offense, Jalen Carter is the soul of the defense. What can’t he do? With 1:15 left in the game, the Rams sat in scoring position at the Eagles’ 15-yard-line. It was hard not to believe that the Eagles were about to blow their lead and get bounced from the playoffs. Instead, Jalen Carter burst through the Los Angeles offensive front for a huge sack, then forced an inaccurate throw from Matt Safford on 4th down to secure a Philly victory. When it matters most, this defense always rises to the occasion. Following an ugly play where Jalen Hurts was sacked for a safety, the Eagles were desperate for momentum. Carter again showed up in a big way by punching the ball from running back Kyren Williams’ hands, and Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers scooped it up. The turnover put Hurts and the offense back in scoring position. Carter finished the game with two sacks, one forced fumble and six pressures.
With the Rams taken care of, the Eagles now look ahead to hosting Sunday’s matchup against the Commanders in the NFC Championship game. These two teams have not played each other since Dec. 22, and they both look slightly different. Commanders guard Sam Cosmi, who normally lines up across from Jalen Carter, is out for the season, and backup Trent Scott will start in his stead. The Eagles will look to exploit that mismatch early and often. On the Eagles’ side, the absence of linebacker Nakobe Dean will almost certainly be felt. Dean was essential to stopping Jayden Daniels from picking up first downs with his legs, and Washington will gladly see if Dean’s backup Oren Burks is up to the task. Most significantly, Hurts will play this Sunday, which should prevent Washington from keying in so heavily on Barkley. The hope is that Hurts’ knee, which got banged up against the Rams, will not too greatly inhibit his ability to run. Ultimately, this Championship game is stacking up to be a difficult and gritty battle between two highly-talented rival teams.
Though the Commanders are a tough team to beat, fans feel optimistic about the Eagles’ chances. Between serving drinks at Lost Tavern Brewing, local fan and bartender Chris shared his thoughts with me about Sunday’s matchup.
“I feel good about the game. I think we’re the better team,” Chris said. “But Washington’s been on a tear, so I don’t think it’s going to be an easy one.” Washington shocked the NFL world with an upset Divisional Round win over the Detroit Lions, where their offense scored 45 points. Chris thinks the high-powered Commanders offense could make Sunday’s matchup a nailbiter. ”I think it’ll be a game that’s decided in the 4th quarter.”
Chris and many more excited fans will tune in this Sunday at 3 PM to watch the Birds battle the Commanders in Philadelphia. Don’t forget to wear your luckiest jersey and cheer loud for Barkley and the Eagles!
Read Helen’s Then & Now series featuring local history-related topics here.
Helen Behe is an MFA candidate at DeSales University, where she is studying through the program’s poetry track for a degree in creative writing and publishing. Aside from her studies, Helen enjoys gardening, boxing and rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles. She is a resident of Bethlehem.
