Flying High

by Marc Narducci | Jan 17, 2025
Flying High
The Eagles had one of their most impressive performances in their 11th game of the regular season when they scored a 37-20 win in Los Angeles against the Rams.

Now the teams will have meet in a rematch when the Eagles host the Rams in Sunday’s 3 p.m. NFC semifinal game.

The key will be the Rams ability to stop the Eagles ground game, something that they were not able to do in the first meeting.

Saquon Barkley set an Eagles single-game record by rushing for 255 yards (9.8 avg.) and two dazzling touchdowns.

Barkley’s two touchdowns came in the second half on runs of 70 and 72 yards.

The Eagles put an all-around offensive performance.

Jalen Hurts was awfully effective, completing 15 of 22 passes for 179 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions for a 108 passer rating.

A.J. Brown had six receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown.

As usual, the offensive line was dominant as Hurts was sacked just once.

Meanwhile the Eagles recorded five sacks of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The Eagles’ offense sputtered at times during last week’s opening 22-10 playoff win over the Green Bay Packers.

In this one, the defense was the difference. The Eagles forced four turnovers, including one on special teams. Conversely, the Eagles didn’t commit a single turnover.

Barkley rushed for 119 yards on 25 carries. Hurts was criticized in his first game back since missing the previous two games while in concussion protocol. Yet Hurts had a 111.4 passer rating after completing 13 of 21 passes for 131 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 36 yards on six carries.

Sure, the Eagles need to be a little more consistent on offense and they have to have Brown catch more than one pass for 10 yards, but the defense is playing as well as any in the NFL.

Then again, this is Rams team that is also better than the first time the two teams met.

Due to the fires in Los Angeles, the Rams had their opening round playoff game moved to Glendale, Arizona and they put together one of their most dominant performances in a 27-9 playoff win over the Minnesota Vikings.

The Rams sacked quarterback Sam Darnold nine times. They will be facing a much better offensive line this week, but that is still an impressive sack total.

Stafford was highly effective, completing 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a sterling 117.7 passer rating.

The Rams also won the turnover battle, committing none and forcing two.

This was a Vikings team that went 14-3 in the regular season, the same record as the Eagles.

No doubt the Rams are better than their earlier meeting with the Eagles, but the Eagles are also better.

Having the home field advantage will be a major advantage as well.

The Eagles should move on to the NFC title game, but the Rams should offer more resistance than the Packers.

Just like the first meeting, the difference should be Barkley.

Photo: Courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles

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Author: Marc Narducci

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