Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles escaped a late scare from the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round. The NFC East team won 28-22 but came close to blowing a 13-point lead as they were up 28-15 with less than five minutes left in the game.
Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ offense tried their best in tough, snowy conditions but fell short. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback failed to convert on a 4th-and-11 after taking a sack on the previous play, which saved the Eagles’ season.
Fans React to Nick Sirianni’s Eagles Avoiding Loss vs. Rams
Due to the nature of the win, fans on social media believe the Eagles head coach got lucky and was bailed out by his defense. Philadelphia’s offensive play-calling wasn’t convincing in the win against the Rams, and it could have cost the team a game they should have won comfortably.
Had the Eagles lost to the Rams, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the franchise decided to part ways with Sirianni. Fortunately, the Eagles head coach savored victory and took the team to its second NFC Championship Game in the last three seasons.
Here are some of the reactions from fans on X (formerly known as Twitter):
Sirianni, Kellen Moore, and AJ Brown need to give their game checks to Jalen Carter and Saquon.
— W (@YaBoiWillyP) January 19, 2025
“Nick Sirianni is a lucky man,” said one fan.
Another fan said, “Saquon Barkley saved Sirianni’s job.”
Jalen Carter just bailed Sirianni out so hard
— Jake Hitt (@jake_hitt06) January 19, 2025
“Whew…what a playoff football game…Thank you, Eagles defense, for bailing out dumba** Kellen Moore & Sirianni again,” wrote a fan.
“Kellen Moore and Sirianni should still be beaten with hammers for this offensive gameplan,” added another fan.
Philly got so lucky. But games like this is why I don’t trust Sirianni in big games. So if they go to the SB I can see him causing them.
— GMONE¥ ⏳ (@_Goldiemacc) January 19, 2025
Both Sirianni and Moore must improve going forward, as the quality on their roster cannot always overcome the coaching staff’s poor decisions.
The Eagles’ defense, especially Carter, stepped up when it mattered the most against the Rams. Now, they will have to go against the Washington Commanders, who are riding high after shocking the world vs. the Lions by winning 45-31.
Jalen Hurts Needs To Play Better for the Eagles To Win NFC
In his rookie season, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFC. Based on current form, not many will pick Hurts over Daniels, which is why the Eagles quarterback has to play much better next week.
In the two playoff games this season, Hurts has thrown for only 259 yards and two touchdowns with a passer rating of 101.6. He did rush for 70 yards and a touchdown on seven carries against the Rams but also picked up a knee injury.
It could be hard for Hurts to run the ball with his knee injury, changing the offensive dynamic against the Commanders. Barkley is in tremendous form, but at some point, the Eagles will have to rely on their quarterback to win the game.
Daniels has proven throughout the season that he can carry the team on his back no matter how much better the opponent is. He can do the same against the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. But if Hurts plays slightly better, it will be hard for Washington to compete against Philadelphia’s stacked roster.