On Sunday, The Lincoln Financial Field was covered with snow. Maybe it also felt the ice-cold performance by the Eagles. To be honest, it was like watching a movie. Sure, it must have caused players difficulty, but apparently, it wasn’t enough to stop the Eagles from flying.  In games like this, you cannot afford to make any little mistake. One wrong step, and the rival team will surely gain the upper hand. That was one of the reasons why the Rams weren’t able to make it. Even though the team put up a great fight, with a 28-22 victory, the Eagles marched toward the NFC Championship.

The Rams’ locker room was struck with an avalanche after the game. They gave their best but knew it wasn’t enough. In a post-game interview, Rams’ QB Matthew Stafford expressed his feelings on the same. “Just a couple of  unforced errors here and there. And got behind the sticks. And you do that against a team like that, with a defense like that, you know, it’s going to be a difficult thing to overcome.” That’s a true sportsman right there. He knows where his team slacked off and fully acknowledges the strong aspects of his rivals. Stafford understands that there are still areas to improve and work on to be better.

Maybe the Rams must had a fool proof plan to win the game. But the Eagles’ defense said ‘nuh-uh’. Jalen Carter was dominating, with five tackles, two sacks, and three quarterback hits. Including a crucial sack and incompletion on 3rd-and-2 that turned the game. Darius Slay played all defensive snaps, leading the secondary, while Josh Sweat saw a season-high in snaps. The defense acted as a colossal wall and the Rams had a tough time breaking it. 

Matthew Stafford literally gave his all in the game. With a solid performance of 324 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, he was doing everything for his team. Two critical fumbles in the second half, coupled with the harsh weather condition, clearly hindered their O-line. The Rams‘ defense did step up at times, but they ultimately couldn’t contain Saquon Barkley, whose performance proved to be the deciding factor.

Saquon Barkley was the offensive standout for the Eagles, rushing for a playoff-record 205 yards and scoring two touchdowns. His 62-yard touchdown run set the pace early, and his 78-yard run in the fourth quarter sealed the win. Barkley’s ability to stay upright in the snow while the Rams struggled was key, as the Rams couldn’t contain him. This whole scenario gave the Eagles the edge they needed to reach the NFC Championship.

After the exit: What does the future hold for Matthew Stafford?

It wasn’t just a loss for Matthew Stafford, it was a lesson. He realized how a single mistake, a mere slip up in the game, can cost everything. After the 28-22 defeat, Stafford was asked about his future. He clearly seemed like he was not ready to talk about it yet, but he said, “I’ll take some time to think about it.” At 36, with 2 years left in his contract, the next chapter of Matthew Stafford’s career is uncertain. But Stafford wasn’t backing down from the idea of more football. “Sure feels like it,” he said when asked if he still has it in him.

But it wasn’t just Stafford who spoke after the game. Head Coach Sean McVay expressed just how much Stafford means to this team. “He is a warrior. He’s so tough. He represents so many things that are right about what this team became,” McVay said. It’s not easy, standing on the edge of a great career and feeling the weight of every moment that didn’t go the way you hoped. But Stafford’s love for the game, his drive, and that unwavering belief in himself are what make him stand out. After all, this wasn’t just about the stats. “I love competing. I love being in those moments. Sure as hell not afraid of them”