Locals in the NFL Playoffs: Late push from Nacua, Rams can't overcome Eagles' 'Snowquon'

AROUND THE SHIELD — Saquon Barkley seemed to effectively send Philadelphia to the NFC championship game, rumbling 78 yards through the snow to give the Eagles a 28-15 lead with just under five minutes left in a divisional-round game against Los Angeles.

The Rams almost pulled off something akin to a miracle — with a helpful assist from Puka Nacua.

The former BYU standout and Orem High prep star caught six passes for 97 yards in the Rams' 28-22 loss to the Eagles.

After back-to-back field goals by Jake Elliott gave Philadelphia a 22-15 edge, Barkley needed just one play to rumble 78 yards into the snow-covered end zone — and it looked like Philly might try to run out the clock before setting up the NFC championship with East division rival Washington.

But Matthew Stafford pulled one back on a 4-yard TD toss to tight end Colby Parkinson, and got the ball back after using all three timeouts for one final drive from the visitors' own 18 with 2:23 remaining.

The Rams' signal caller connected with Nacua for a 37-yard gain on first-and-10 at the Rams' 42 with 1:33 remaining, then found Copper Kupp for another 3-yard addition.

After a false start penalty, Nacua went up for a 10-yard gain that put the Eagles just 13 yards from a touchdown with 1:19 to go.

But Stafford was sacked by Jalen Carter for a 9-yard loss, and his pass to Nacua on fourth-and-11 was off the mark to allow Jalen Hurts to finish the game after a turnover on downs.

Nacua's six catches were impressive, but the second-year standout was left thinking more about what might have been — he was targeted 14 times, for example — rather than what was.

"You think of all the plays when you get the opportunities to make plays, and not coming down with them," Nacua told Sports Central LA in the Rams' locker room. "How much that influences the game; just wanted to be as perfect as you can in those moments."

Nacua's heroics were no match for Barkley, the Eagles running back who ran for more than 200 yards against the Rams for the second time this season.

The former New York Giants tailback ran for 302 yards and two touchdowns in Week 12 of the 2024 regular season, then blitzed Los Angeles again for 232 yards and two touchdowns in the snow Sunday evening.

"The elements were great, but the atmosphere was even better," Barkley told NBC.

"Obviously, Saquon was excellent today," Rams coach Sean McVay said.

Nacua, who set an NFL record for receiving yards and catches by a rookie last year, finished his second season in the league with 990 yards and three touchdowns on 79 catches.

Here's a look at other former Utah high school and college football standouts who performed in the NFL's divisional round.

Sunday, Jan. 19

Buffalo 27, Baltimore 25

Bills (15-4)

• Cole Bishop, S, Utah: Reserve safety made three tackles on defense
• Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah: Reserve tight end caught one pass for 11 yards on offense
• Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Reserve nickel had three tackles and a pass defended on defense

Ravens (13-6)

• Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker had three tackles, two quarterback hurries and shared a sack on defense
• Marcus Williams, S, Utah: Inactive for divisional round

Philadelphia 28, Los Angeles 22

Eagles (16-3)

• Britain Covey, WR/RS, Utah/Timpview: Placed on injured reserve (neck)

Rams (10-8)

• Puka Nacua, WR, BYU/Orem: Starting receiver caught six passes for 97 yards (on 14 targets)

Saturday, Jan. 18

Kansas City 23, Houston 14

Chiefs (16-2)

• Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU/Orem: Reserve tackle played two snaps on offense and five on special teams
• Apu Ika, DT, East (via Baylor): Did not play (practice squad)

Texans (11-8)

• Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham (via Stanford): Reserve tight end caught four passes for 63 yards in 53 offensive snaps
• Kedon Slovis, QB, BYU: Did not play (practice squad)

Washington 45, Detroit 31

Commanders (14-5)

• Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Starting linebacker amassed eight tackles in 69 defensive snaps
• Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Inactive for divisional round

Lions (15-3)

• Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills (via Oregon): Starting right tackle played all 69 offensive snaps, three more on special teams
• Sione Vaki, RB, Utah: Reserve running back played 24 snaps on special teams
• Tim Patrick, WR, Utah: Reserve wide receiver caught one pass (on four targets) for 22 yards in 30 offensive snaps
• Jonah Williams, DE, Weber State: Reserve defensive end played nine defensive snaps, eight more on special teams

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