NFC championship game: Eagles overpower Commanders to reach Super Bowl
NFC championship game: Eagles overpower Commanders to reach Super Bowl
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Saquon Barkley – who else? – reeled off an electrifying 60-yard touchdown run the first time he touched the football on Sunday, in the first game he had played in for a spot in the Super Bowl. His Philadelphia Eagles kept up the audacious charge all game.
With splendid Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, in a burgundy ski cap, watching from the bench for much of the afternoon, the Eagles pummeled the Washington Commanders 55-23 to win the NFC championship at home for the second time in three years.
Philadelphia will play the winner of the AFC championship game, played later Sunday between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, in Super Bowl LIX on 9 February in New Orleans. The Eagles lost to the Chiefs two seasons ago in Super Bowl LVII. Barkley, the speedy but punishing and resourceful back acquired from the rival New York Giants after six fruitless seasons there, also scored a touchdown on his second carry from scrimmage, then iced the decisive victory with a four-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
“I ain’t gonna lie – I tried to downplay it in my head, but it’s just amazing, man. It’s amazing. We’re here. The Super Bowl,” Barkley said. “But the goal wasn’t just getting there. The goal is to win. And we’re going to celebrate and enjoy this and get right back to work.”.
He would finish with 118 yards rushing on just 15 carries, and he was far from Philadelphia’s only weapon. The often-maligned quarterback Jalen Hurts, playing on a bad knee, was superb on Sunday, scoring twice and completing 20 of 28 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown.
