🦅 Dashing through the snow | Sports Daily Newsletter

Throughout this season, we have come back again and again to two huge factors for the Eagles: Saquon Barkley and that dominating defense.

So why should the divisional round of the playoffs be any different? In a snowstorm that only added to the drama, Barkley did it again, breaking off touchdown runs of 62 and 78 yards Sunday in a 28-22 victory over the Rams.

Drama? There was plenty when the Rams had a chance to win the game in the closing minutes. On third-and-2 at the Eagles' 13-yard line, though, Jalen Carter blasted through the Los Angeles line and sacked Matthew Stafford for a 9-yard loss. The next play, he harassed Stafford into a no-chance incompletion to seal it.

Cornerback Darius Slay tipped his cap to both Barkley and Carter. “Man, they stepped up big time,” Slay said. “Both of them. Big-time.”

Might as well call on them to step up again this Sunday against the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game.

— Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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No matter how the Sixers try to get off the nightmarish ride that has been their injury-plagued season, that ride goes on. They dragged a 15-25 record into their game Sunday night in Milwaukee, and coach Nick Nurse continues to plug holes because of injuries. Their Big Three of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George have been on the court together for only 10 games.

“It’s almost like we’ve been in survival mode, doing the best we can with who’s available as we go,” Nurse said. “That’s been almost the story for the entire first half of the season.”

Embiid, George, Andre Drummond, and several others were sidelined against the Bucks and the Sixers lost again, 123-109. The Sixers have lost six in a row.

Jalen Hurts limped off the field in the third quarter after one of the Rams' seven sacks. Following a stay in the medical tent, the Eagles quarterback returned to the game with a brace on his left leg. He did not miss a snap, but his mobility was clearly affected, especially when he took a sack for a safety.

Hurts was vague when asked how he felt after the game. “I was able to finish the game and we’ll see how the week goes,” he said. He indicated that he expects to play against the Commanders.

Jared Verse of the Rams drew the ire of Eagles fans with his comments leading up to the game, but he backed up the talk with two sacks Sunday. Fans at the Linc let him have it, but the rookie edge rusher came away with a measure of respect for Eagles fans.

Jake Elliott missed a pair of extra points Sunday, but the Eagles kicker also went 3-for-3 on field goals, thanks to the help of his linemen, who pushed away snow to clear him a path.

In a pregame moment, edge rusher Nolan Smith paid tribute to Nakobe Dean by carrying the injured linebacker’s No. 17 jersey onto the field.

Eagles fans had their moments of angst, but eventually things ended happily for them. There were even a few snow angels in the Linc’s parking lot.

More coverage of the Eagles' playoff victory can be found here.

Will Howard will take the field with the Ohio State Buckeyes tonight as they face Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff championship game. It has been a long road to this point for the former Downingtown West quarterback, who had his ups and downs at Kansas State before landing in Columbus for his senior season.

The Flyers have won four of their last five games as they prepare to host the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night. John Tortorella’s squad was encouraged in its last outing as rookie Matvei Michkov scored Saturday in a 3-1 victory against the New Jersey Devils.

“You can see it all the time in practice. He doesn’t want to get denied, right?” goalie Sam Ersson said of Michkov. “So I think you can see that he’s very good at taking advantage of those opportunities.”

Jan. 20, 1983: Darryl Sittler scored for the Flyers in a 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames, notching his 1,000th NHL point. Bill Barber added two goals for the Flyers.

Jeff McLane takes you inside the locker room to reveal the team’s no-nonsense focus on winning. With a strong defense, the Eagles are ready for the NFC divisional round. Plus, Jeff speaks with Eagles free agents-to-be Milton Williams and Zack Baun about the excitement of the present and the uncertainty of their respective futures. Listen here.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Olivia Reiner, EJ Smith, Jeff Neiburg, Jeff McLane, Matt Breen, Marcus Hayes, Gabriela Carroll, Ariel Simpson, Gina Mizell, Jackie Spiegel, Isabella DiAmore, Aubrey Whelan, and Johnny Zawislak.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Rooting for more snow this Sunday? Thank you for reading. I’ll see you in Tuesday’s Sports Daily. — Jim