PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An incredible play from an isolated game, or a defining moment of a championship season?
The ultimate significance of Saquon Barkley’s snow-covered, 78-yard touchdown run from the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jan. 19 divisional playoff win over the LA Rams will be dictated, to an extent, by the outcome of Super Bowl LIX.
Regardless of whether the Eagles win or lose, Barkley’s clutch burst will go down as one of the top highlights in franchise postseason history.
Should the Eagles beat Kansas City, however, and lift the Lombardi Trophy for the second time ever, then Barkley’s scamper takes on even greater implications.
Had the NFL MVP candidate not busted loose against LA late in the fourth quarter, who knows if the Eagles would have lived to see the NFC championship game and subsequently punched a ticket back to the Super Bowl?
When the helmet-smacking Barkley reached the endzone with 4:36 to go, it felt like the Eagles had landed a knockout punch. But the Rams didn’t budge. Minutes later, LA answered with a touchdown of its own to cut the Eagles’ lead to 28-22. With less than a minute left, the Rams, after forcing an Eagles three-and-out, were back inside the red zone, knocking on the door again.
The Eagles’ defense came through with a decisive, game-saving stand, and Barkley’s epic rush proved to be the difference.
So yeah, if the Eagles oust Kansas City in New Orleans, the ramifications of Barkley’s play will grow that much more.
Jordan Mailata doesn’t feel the need to wait for the Super Bowl to put Barkley’s explosive score into perspective. “That's going down in history, that play right there,” the left tackle said emphatically.
Between the timing of the run and the speed and strength Barkley summoned to break free near midfield and accelerate into the clear, there’s plenty to marvel at. But a slo-mo replay captured by NFL Films reveals the subtleties of the sequence in even finer detail.
Mailata’s knowing glance as the run unfolded. Cam Jurgens’ sprint, following Barkley down field. Lane Johnson’s confident turn to the sideline. Barkley authored an instant classic.
“I just knew,” said Johnson, the Eagles’ veteran right tackle. “I just saw him get past another safety or somebody, saw some daylight and then yeah, it was a wrap.”
🎧 ▶️ unCovering the Birds
Ahead of the Eagles’ big title rematch with the Chiefs in the Big Easy, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane made the rounds in the Eagles locker room, talking with players who were involved in Barkley’s 78-yard dash. The result is a step-by-step account of how the play unfolded, what Barkley and his teammates were thinking the moment they realized he was gone, and which factors the players took into consideration when giving the dazzling play historical context.
In addition to the oral history of Barkley’s touchdown, McLane catches up with wideout Jahan Dotson for a new “Pick Six” interview segment. The former first-rounder shares why this season has been his favorite yet in the NFL, despite posting career-low numbers, and discusses the great vibes inside the Eagles receiver room.
unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season. Follow on the free Audacy app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you listen to podcasts.