Jalen Hurts & Co. won against the Rams. © APA / MITCHELL LEFF

Victory in the snow: Eagles advance in NFL playoffs

The Philadelphia Eagles are about to return to the Super Bowl. In the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, the Eagles beat the Los Angeles Rams in heavy snowfall and will now face the surprise team of the Washington Commanders next Sunday.

20 January 2025

From: dpa

Two years after losing the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Eagles, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, only need one more win after the 28:22 defeat to qualify for the spectacle on February 9 in New Orleans.

"I'm happy with this win. Big respect to our defense, we found a way to win and that's all that matters at this time of year," said quarterback Hurts. "The conditions were great, but the fans were even better," said his teammate Saquon Barkley, who scored two touchdowns.

Barkley with two touchdowns

Hurts, who played with a brace on his knee after the break, answered the question on US television whether he was OK: "I finished the game." He was being examined and could not say anything more. Light snowfall in Philadelphia turned into thick flakes during the halftime break and the pitch turned into a white carpet and a big challenge for both teams. Poor grip for hands and feet resulted in several ball losses and moments of shock for both teams.

Saquon Barkley scored two touchdowns. © APA / SARAH STIER

Barkley coped well with the weather. The Eagles' running back once again showed his enormous importance in his first season for the team and not only scored two touchdowns but also gained 205 yards through runs. Because kicker Jake Elliott missed the extra point twice, the Rams had a chance to win with only six points behind until 26 seconds before the end. But then the defense stopped the visitors' last attack attempt.

Bills defeat Ravens

Because the Baltimore Ravens dropped a seemingly safe ball, the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs will face off again on the way to the Super Bowl. The Bills beat the Ravens 27:25 and made it to the AFC conference finals for the first time in four years. Ravens pro Mark Andrews dropped a short pass just before the end that he had already caught. It would have been the equalizer for the visitors.

Josh Allen & Co. beat the Ravens. © APA / AL BELLO

In snowfall and minus eight degrees Celsius, Bills leader Josh Allen also won the eagerly awaited quarterback duel with Lamar Jackson. Jackson allowed an interception, Allen did not throw a single bad pass and scored two touchdowns of his own after runs. "All year, people said we have no talent, we are too small, we can't run - I am so proud of our defense," said Allen of his teammates, who provoked two fumbles and an interception. "I know we will enjoy this for one evening and then turn our attention to the Chiefs."

Bills vs. Chiefs has become a classic

The Bills will face the defending champions in Kansas City next Sunday. The Bills were the only team in the league to defeat the Chiefs in the regular season with their best lineup. When the Chiefs lost to Denver on the last day of the season, many of their regular players were rested.

There have been several epic duels between the two teams in recent years. The winner will advance to the Super Bowl and play against the Washington Commanders or the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9 in New Orleans for the most important title in American football. The Chiefs could be the first team to win the Super Bowl three times in a row.