The clock was ticking towards the fourth quarter when the DJ inside Lincoln Financial Field attempted to change the mood. 

A bitter wind was whipping around this arena and snow was tumbling out of the skies but, for a short time, dance music sounded and a party broke out in the stands.

No matter that the temperature was teetering towards 30 degrees. No matter that the field had been repainted white. Eagles fans took off their shirts, bounced in their seats and sung along. Down below, however, their players weren’t having quite so much fun.

Here, they were greeted by a brutal snowstorm, a hostile crowd and a punishing Eagles defense. Their quarterback Matthew Stafford was nursing bad ribs, too. Still they clung on. All the way until the final five minutes. And then Saquon Barkley decided enough was enough. 

Saquon Barkley’s stunning touchdown run sealed victory for the Eagles over the Rams

The running back scored a 78-yard touchdown to put the Eagles in the NFC Championship

The running back collected the ball on the Eagles’ 22-yard line, he spotted a slither of space, he darted into it, he raced to the endzone and he slid in the snow. It was Barkley’s fourth touchdown against the Rams this season. 

His shortest – in the opening quarter here – was 62 yards. His longest sealed this 28-22 win and took Nick Sirianni’s side to the NFC Championship game. Suddenly the Eagles fans were signing once more. ‘M-V-P,’ they chanted. 

Barkley broke 200 yards rushing once more and, unless the Washington Commanders find a way to stop him, the Eagles will be in a second Super Bowl in three seasons. But how LA made them fight for this. 

Only a huge sack from Jalen Carter – inside the final minute – made this game certain. Barkley will get the headlines but make no mistake, this was yet another win built on the backs of the Eagles defense.

The snow and sleet began to fall around midday. By then, thousands of Eagles fans had already set up camp – they lit cigars and fired up their grills and huddled around naked flames.

It had been another brutal week for their reputation, after Ryan Caldwell abused a female Packers rival and reinforced what many already thought about this fanbase.

But Philadelphia supporters are used to finding themselves in the firing line. They are built for days like this, too. The question? How would Los Angeles cope?

Jalen Hurts gave the Philadelphia Eagles an early lead with a 44-yard touchdown run 

The quarterback cups his hand to his ear as he celebrates his early touchdown on Sunday

TE Tyler Higbee responded with a touchdown for the Rams to silence Lincoln Financial Field

Thankfully for McVay, the snow had paused come kickoff. The Rams could at least rely on Jared Verse being warm, too.

The linebacker revealed he ‘hates’ Eagles fans and ‘gets hot’ just seeing green and white. The rookie goaded the crowd ahead of kickoff but his smile had disappeared a few minutes later, after Jalen Hurts race clear from the 44-yard line. 

That lit the green touch paper; as the Rams prepared to take possession, Verse’s words appeared on the stadium screens. Stafford and Co were unmoved.

 Los Angeles moved down the field brilliantly before Tyler Higbee tied the game. The visitors led almost immediately – after Jake Elliot’s extra-point attempt veered wide, Joshua Karty made no such mistake. It did not last. 

Across the entire first quarter, the Eagles snapped the ball inside Rams territory only once. No matter. Not when you have the likes of Hurts and Barkley. 

The running back savaged Los Angeles back in November – scoring from 70 and 72 yards. On Sunday, from the Eagles 38-yard line, he sliced through the Rams defense once more. The nearest chasing defender? Verse. Before the game, Barkley had warned the rookie that his words might backfire. 

Then, as he neared the endzone, Barkley decided to rub it in. He glanced back and taunted the defender. Verse had his moment shortly after – he sacked Hurts and made sure to let everyone know about it. ‘A**hole,’ the crowd chanted after Verse celebrated his next tackle.

Barkley put the Eagles back in front with yet another superb touchdown run 

By now, a tense battle was unfolding and snow was falling over Philadelphia once more. It was heavier this time; it started to turn the field a lighter shade of green. Stafford was soldiering on. Instead, it was Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell who hurt his shoulder tackling the quarterback. Early in the second half it was confirmed he would not return.

Mitchell left a huge hole in an Eagles defense which has carried Sirianni’s team this far. Without Mitchell, however, the Eagles managed to restrict the Rams to a field goal which levelled the game midway through the third quarter. At the other end of the field, the Eagles offense was stuttering once more. They retook the lead, thanks to a 44-yard field goal from Elliot. But a penalty cost them more points and then Hurts headed to the medical tent after another nasty hit.

He made out in time to head under center near his own goal line. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, Hurts was sacked once more – this time for a safety. The Eagles‘ lead was now one and the tension ratcheted up once more. Then Carter knocked the ball out of Kyren Williams’ hands. 

Isaiah Rodgers collected it and raced into the red zone. Before long, fireworks lit up the sky and the Eagles thought they were home at last. First Barkley dived for the goal line. It was a ruled a touchdown, only for the call to be reversed on review. 

Then a successful ‘Brotherly Shove’ was undone by another Eagles penalty. They were forced to settle for three more points for Elliot. Thankfully for Sirianni, his defense came up big once more. Stafford was strip sacked and that turnover presented Elliot with the chance to make the lead seven. That gave the Eagles breathing space, then Barkley raced clear.

There was another twist – Colby Parkinson cut the lead to six – but in the end the Rams were unable to find a final miracle.