Saquon Barkley is inevitable.
That’s not hyperbole. That’s just fact. You watch him take over a game like this, shredding defenses, outrunning angles, making defenders look like they’re running in slow motion, and you realize: this isn’t normal. Not even close. What Barkley did Sunday wasn’t just impressive—it was historic, ridiculous, franchise-defining. And now, because of him (and a defense that was playing like it had something to prove), the Eagles are headed to the NFC Championship Game.
It wasn’t always pretty. There were mistakes, missed chances, moments where you had to wonder if they were going to let the Rams hang around too long. But when it mattered, the Eagles found a way. Barkley found a way. The defense found a way. And that’s what great teams do.
Barkley’s Brilliance
Let’s just lay it out. 26 carries. 205 yards. Two absolutely absurd touchdowns—one from 62 yards, the other from 70. A franchise playoff record for rushing yards in a single game. A performance that put the Eagles on his back and carried them one massive step closer to the Super Bowl.
This isn’t new, though. It’s just what he does. Against these same Rams in the regular season? 255 yards. That’s 460 yards on the same defense in two games. Insane. Barkley’s ability to turn a busted run into a game-breaking play is the kind of thing you just can’t coach. The vision, the burst, the power—it’s why the Eagles went all in on him. And it’s why they’re still standing.
Jalen Hurts & The Struggling Passing Game
Here’s the thing: the Eagles don’t need a world-beating passing game to win. Not when Barkley is doing this. Not when the defense is playing like it has a grudge against the opposing quarterback. But still… you’d like to see more. You need to see more.
Hurts doesn’t look quite right. Since coming back from the concussion, he’s hesitant, holding the ball too long, taking too many sacks. The deep ball? Nowhere to be found. Zero completions of 35+ yards in seven games. A.J. Brown? Three catches for 24 yards over two playoff games. That’s a problem. If the Eagles are going to beat Washington, let alone whoever they meet in the Super Bowl, they need more from their quarterback. Period.
Defense Wins Championships (Or At Least Gets You There)
If Barkley was the engine of this win, the defense was the steel frame holding it all together. Five sacks. Ten tackles for loss. Two huge forced fumbles that flipped the game in the fourth quarter. And maybe the biggest surprise? Nolan Smith.
With Brandon Graham out, Josh Sweat not making enough of an impact, and Bryce Huff struggling, Smith has become a nightmare for opposing QBs. His strip-sack of Stafford in the fourth quarter? A game-changer. Three sacks, multiple hurries, and just relentless energy all night long. He’s playing like he wants a ring.
Jalen Carter, meanwhile, is already looking like an all-time Eagles great. Two sacks, five tackles, a forced fumble. People questioned his conditioning coming out of Georgia. Nobody’s questioning it now. He’s dominant from the first snap to the last, and he’s a huge reason why this defense has been the backbone of this playoff run.
What’s Next? The Commanders.
It’s a fascinating matchup. Jayden Daniels has been nothing short of electric, and Washington is rolling. They’ve won seven straight. They took down the Lions in a hostile environment. They’ve already beaten the Eagles once this year.
The Eagles will need to be sharper. They’ll need the passing game to show up. They’ll need to put Daniels under pressure and force him into mistakes. But here’s the bottom line: with Barkley playing like this and a defense that refuses to break, they’ll have a chance against anyone.
One more home win. One more chance to punch a ticket to the Super Bowl.
Buckle up.
