Rams’ comeback nearly upends Eagles, who now have inside track for Super Bowl berth – elcajon newson Elcajon News only

The Rams were impressive in defeat Sunday, not that it matters now.

They created great chances to pull out the Divisional Playoff game as a seven-point underdog before losing, 28-22, on a snow-covered field in Philadelphia.

The Rams were facing the NFL’s most talented team in the Eagles, who’d overpowered them two months earlier in Greater Los Angeles.

The sleet, snow and cold posed a challenge, too, as did a schedule that relocated the Rams’ Monday night wild-card game to Glendale, Ariz., meaning they didn’t get home until Tuesday morning.

Add it all up, and it was remarkable that with 1 minute and 14 seconds left and the Eagles ahead by six points, the Rams had the ball at Philadelphia’s 13-yard line.

Son of gun, lots of folks were thinking, the Rams might actually win this game.

It was third-and-2, and L.A.’s offense appeared dangerous.

Defending those 13 snow-coverage yards, the Eagles had to respect a variety of pass options because Matthew Stafford had thrown for 324 yards by spreading the wealth. He’d connected three-plus times with four different teammates. He’d thrown short touchdown passes to tight ends Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson.

Might the Rams try to run for the first down?

After all, there was plenty of time to chance it, although they had no timeouts left.

One concern was this: twice in the first half, an Eagles second-line defender had shot through a gap and created a loss on third-and-1. At halftime, Rams coach Sean McVay brought up those two blocking breakdowns in a quick chat with an NBC reporter.

But given that running back Kyren Williams had gone for 106 rushing yards on 19 carries, there was solid reason for Philadelphia’s powerful front to respect the run, too.

Two Rams plays followed.

Both times, the Rams tried to pass.

Wrecking both plays was Eagles tackle Jalen Carter, a star at 23.

So it’ll be the Eagles against the Commanders in an NFC championship game in Philadelphia between two East rivals who each beat the other at home.

Turnover differential was critical to the Rams losing.

The Eagles had no turnovers. That’s a large accomplishment in the wet and cold. Luck may have helped, too, as the Eagles, perhaps benefiting from a kind bounce or two, recovered four of the game’s five fumbles.

The Rams lost two fumbles. Both were caused by an Eagles defensive lineman. First, it was Carter, who — on first down and with his team ahead 16-15 — knocked the ball from Williams at midfield. Later, edge rusher Nolan Smith dispossessed Stafford.

The Eagles turned those two fumbles into six points, the game’s final margin.

Above all, the Rams will rue the third-and-2 play at the Eagles’ 13.

A mixup between center Beau Limmer and right guard Kevin Dotson led to Carter receiving only a cursory shove from Limmer before the center turned away from him.

Carter charged toward Stafford, who had no chance to elude him. The sack created fourth-and-11.

Then Carter ended the Rams’ season.

He beat Limmer fast, and forced Stafford into an errant throw toward Puka Nacua, whose acrobatic 37-yard reception had juiced the late drive.

The best Rams’ feature was its pass rush, which amassed seven sacks of Jalen Hurts.

The best Rams individual performances came from Stafford and rookie end Jared Verse, who overpowered massive Eagles blockers several times and finished with two sacks and three tackles for loss.

Eagles blockers got theirs, too. They paved the way to three TD runs ranging from 44 to 78 yards, two by Saquon Barkley after Hurts’ jaunt made it 6-0.

Looking ahead

The Rams appear closer to reaching a Super Bowl than they did going into last offseason.

Late in the year, their young defensive line grew into an explosive playmaking unit under first-year coordinator Chris Shula, the grandson of Don Shula and a former San Diego Chargers quality control coach.

Their offensive line’s revamped interior evolved down the stretch, and the versatile Higbee — who ties the offense together — came back from last season’s horrific knee injury to play well.

But the Rams need to have a big offseason. Though Stafford had a very good season, he’ll turn 37 in April. Their Super Bowl clock is ticking loudly.

The Eagles opened as a six-point favorite to beat the Commanders. The line fell to four points later Sunday night.

The Commanders won the recent meeting, 36- 33, on Dec. 22. Hurts didn’t play after exiting midway through the first quarter with a concussion sustained on a 13-yard scramble.

The Eagles are more powerful in both lines, but Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is riding a hot streak, while Hurts may have to cope with a knee injury sustained midway through Sunday’s game that led him to wear a brace.

“Rain, sleet or snow — Eagles train to go,” said Hurts.

Originally Published: January 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM PST