The clock was ticking toward the fourth quarter as the DJ at Lincoln Financial Field tried to change the mood.
A bitter wind blew through this arena and snow fell from the sky, but for a short time there was dancing music and a celebration broke out in the stands.
It didn't matter that the temperature was hovering towards 30 degrees. It didn't matter that the field had been repainted white. Eagles fans took off their shirts, bounced in their seats and sang along. Downstairs, however, their players weren't having as much fun.
The Eagles had been sucked into a brutal war of attrition by the Los Angeles Rams. Over the past week and a half, Sean McVay's crew has seen their house burn down. They were forced to go to Arizona to face the Minnesota Vikings.
Here they were greeted by a brutal snowstorm, a hostile crowd and a punishing Eagles defense. Their quarterback Matthew Stafford also suffered from bad ribs. Still they held on. All the way to the last five minutes. And then Saquon Barkley decided enough was enough.
Saquon Barkley's stunning touchdown run sealed the victory for the Eagles over the Rams
The running back scored a 78-yard touchdown to put the Eagles in the NFC Championship
The two teams battled harsh conditions and freezing temperatures at Lincoln Financial Field
The running back collected the ball at the Eagles' 22-yard line, he saw a sliver of space, he shot into it, he raced to the end zone and slid into the snow. It was Barkley's fourth touchdown against the Rams this season.
His shortest – in the opening quarter here – was 62 yards. His longest sealed this 28-22 win and took Nick Sirianni's side to the NFC Championship match. Suddenly, the Eagles fans signed again. “MVP,” they chanted.
Barkley broke the 200-yard mark again and, unless the Washington Commanders find a way to stop him, the Eagles will play in a second Super Bowl in three seasons. But how LA made them fight for this.
Only a huge sack by Jalen Carter – in the final minute – made this game a sure thing. Barkley will make headlines, but make no mistake: This was yet another win built on the backs of the Eagles defense.
Around noon the snow and sleet started to fall. By then, thousands of Eagles fans had already set up camp — lighting cigars, firing up their grills and huddled around open fires.
It had been another brutal week for their reputation, after Ryan Caldwell abused a female Packers rival and cemented many people's opinions of this fanbase.
But Philadelphia fans are used to being in the line of fire. They're also built for days like these. The question? How would Los Angeles handle it?
Jalen Hurts gave the Philadelphia Eagles an early lead with a 44-yard touchdown run
The quarterback holds his hand to his ear as he celebrates his early touchdown on Sunday
TE Tyler Higbee responded with a touchdown for the Rams to silence Lincoln Financial Field
Luckily for McVay, the snow had stopped before kickoff. At least the Rams could rely on Jared Verse to be hot, too.
The linebacker revealed that he “hates” Eagles fans and “gets horny” when he sees green and white. The rookie electrified the crowd before kickoff, but his smile was gone a few minutes later after Jalen Hurts raced clear from the 44-yard line.
That illuminated the green touch paper; As the Rams prepared to take possession, Verse's words appeared on the stadium screens. Stafford and Co remained unmoved.
Los Angeles brilliantly moved down the field before Tyler Higbee tied the game. The visitors took the lead almost immediately – after Jake Elliot's extra-point attempt went wide, Joshua Karty made no such mistake. It didn't take long.
Through the entire first quarter, the Eagles only knocked the ball into Aries territory once. It doesn't matter. Not when you have people like Hurts and Barkley.
The running back destroyed Los Angeles in November, scoring from 70 and 72 yards. On Sunday, he sliced through the Rams defense again from the Eagles' 38-yard line. The closest chasing defender? Fresh. Before the game, Barkley had warned the rookie that his words could backfire.
As he neared the end zone, Barkley decided to rub him in. He looked back and taunted the defender.
Verse had his moment shortly afterwards: he fired Hurts and made sure everyone knew about it. “A**hole,” the crowd chanted after Verse celebrated his next tackle.
Barkley put the Eagles back in front with another great touchdown run
Meanwhile, a tense battle unfolded and snow fell again on Philadelphia. This time it was harder; it started to turn the field a lighter green.
Stafford continued on – instead it was Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell who hurt his shoulder tackling the quarterback. Early in the second half it was confirmed that he would not return.
Mitchell left a huge hole in the Eagles defense that Sirianni's team has taken so far. Without Mitchell, however, the Eagles were able to limit the Rams to a field goal, tying the game midway through the third quarter.
On the other side of the field, the Eagles' offense stuttered again. They regained the lead thanks to a 44-yard field goal by Elliot. But a penalty cost them more points and then Hurts left for the medical tent after another nasty hit.
He managed to escape in time and headed under the centre, close to his own goal line. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, Hurts was fired again – this time for safety reasons.
The Eagles' lead was now one and the tension was rising again. Then Carter knocked the ball out of Kyren Williams' hands.
Jake Elliot recovered from an early miss to make some crucial kicks in the second half
Isaiah Rodgers collected it and ran into the red zone. It wasn't long before fireworks lit up the sky and the Eagles thought they were finally home.
First, Barkley dove for the goal line. It was declared a touchdown, but the call was overturned upon review.
Then a successful 'Brotherly Shove' was canceled out by another Eagles penalty. They had to settle for three more points for Elliot. Fortunately for Sirianni, his defense came into focus again.
Stafford was sacked and that turnover gave Elliot the opportunity to make the lead seven. That gave the Eagles breathing room, after which Barkley drove clear.
There was one more twist — Colby Parkinson scored to cut the lead to six — but ultimately the Rams couldn't find a final miracle.
