The Los Angeles Rams’ magical 2024 season came to a bitter end Sunday as the NFC’s No. 4 seed lost to the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles, 28-22, on a snowy road in a regional round showdown. Ta.
Both teams showed toughness in battling the elements, but it was the effort of a gutsy Rams defense led by rookie linebacker Jared Verse that nearly kept Los Angeles in the game. The team recorded seven sacks, including four in the first half, and after a nine-sack performance in the wild-card win over the Minnesota Vikings, the team did everything in its power to contain the Eagles until they pulled away in the fourth quarter. I tried my best.
The most important moment of the game occurred with 26 seconds left in the third quarter when the Rams were down 16-13. Rams defenders Neville Gallimore and Kia Thomas made safeties on Jalen Hurts’ sacks to cut the deficit to one point, but fumbles on consecutive Rams drives halted the momentum. A motivated Rams D held Philly to just two field goals after turnovers, and both teams traded touchdowns, but the Rams ultimately fell short on their final offensive effort.
Two ill-timed turnovers effectively cost L.A. a win in a close game, as the club once again scores Saquon Barklade (232 scrimmage yards, 2 TDs) nearly two months after his Week 12 outburst. The results were also highlighted.
The Rams, the NFC West champions, will rest and rebuild in the offseason after starting the year with a 1-4 record. The Eagles will host the Washington Commanders next week in the NFC Championship Game.
Rams offense unable to overcome snow, Eagles defense
Swirling wind and snow were an absolute factor in Sunday’s game as conditions worsened towards the start of the third and fourth quarters.
On the third possession, quarterback Matthew Stafford had open receivers on first and third downs of Tyler Higbee and Puka Nacua, but both drops slipped from his hands. Running back Kyren Williams committed his sixth fumble of the season at the start of the fourth inning, but the Eagles recovered it and ended up scoring three points.
Stafford also had the ball slip out of his hands on two pass attempts in the fourth quarter, and after being sacked, he fumbled on third-and-10 at 11:04. The Eagles got it back again and set up another field goal.
In addition to the fumble, the Rams allowed five sacks and were forced to punt on three of their eight drives in the second half, not including a turnover that ended the game on downs. — Jordan Rodrigue, Rams Beat Writer
A season of adversity ends in heartbreaking fashion.
After starting the season 1-4, it’s hard to completely blame the Rams for making it this far in the playoffs, or the end of the divisional round.
Their defense exceeded expectations after the retirement of Aaron Donald and was led by first-year coordinator Chris Shula. After struggling with injuries in the first half of the year, this team had a magical December run and, in homage to Los Angeles, where they were relocated amidst the raging wildfires, the team was able to play in the community in the wild card round. I will never forget the honor shown to me.
While many young players have grown together this season, the futures of aging veterans Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford will remain in question until spring. — Rodrigue
Matthew Stafford didn’t want to talk specifically about his future after this season so soon after the loss. When I asked Stafford if he thought he still had some football left in him, he replied with a half-smile, “I certainly feel that way.”
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 19, 2025
Must read
(Photo: Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
