Matthew Stafford, Rams Saluted by NFL Fans After Close Playoff Loss to Eagles in Snow

Matt Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams nearly completed an epic comeback in a driving snowstorm, but they fell just short to the host Philadelphia Eagles 28-22 in the NFC Divisional round on Sunday.

The Eagles went up 28-15 after running back Saquon Barkley galloped 78 yards for a touchdown with 4:36 remaining in regulation.

However, Stafford then led a 10-play, 70-yard touchdown drive in just 1:48 capped by a four-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson. Stafford went 6-of-9 for 72 yards. After Joshua Karty's PAT, L.A. trailed 28-22 with 2:48 left.

The Rams then forced a three-and-out and got the ball back on their own 18-yard line. Stafford went to work once again, with the big play a 37-yard toss to Puka Nacua that set L.A. up with a 1st-and-10 from the Philadelphia 21-yard line.

Two plays and eight yards later, the Rams had a 3rd-and-2 from the 13-yard line. Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter then burst through a wide-open gap in the line to sack Stafford, forcing a 4th-and-11.

Carter then got another pressure on Stafford, who sailed a pass over a double-teamed Nacua.

After one kneeldown, the game was over.

It was a tough end to a potentially epic comeback. L.A. was previously in good position down 16-15 following a safety on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, but running back Kyren Williams and Stafford lost fumbles on back-to-back possessions, leading to Jake Elliott field goals.

After a Rams three-and-out, Barkley ran for his second touchdown en route to finishing with 232 total yards.

To the Rams' credit, though, they never wilted.

That's been the calling card for L.A. over the past two seasons. The Rams started 3-6 in 2023 but finished 10-7 and nearly upset the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card round before losing 24-23.

This year, L.A. began 1-4 but then won nine of 11 games to clinch the NFC West. The Rams then crushed the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 in the NFC Wild Card in Arizona after the Los Angeles area wildfires forced the game to move to another location.

L.A. hung tough with the favored Eagles, though, even in the snow. Stafford completed 26-of-44 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns for the Rams, who got much respect for their effort.

The Rams' season is now over, but the future remains bright in L.A. given its talent on both sides of the ball and head coach Sean McVay leading the way.