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PHILADELPHIA — As he walked through the locker room on Sunday night, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman shouted to defensive tackle Jalen Carter , “Hey, you need me to take a picture, JC? You need me to take a picture of how you look right now? It’s a beautiful moment for you, man. I’m proud of you.” Carter saved his teammates, coaches and Roseman from the embarrassment of losing in the NFC divisional round by taking things into his own hands during the Eagles' 28-22 win over the Los Angeles Rams at home.
The Eagles almost blew a 28-13 lead in the final five minutes, allowing the Rams to score a touchdown with 2:48 left, followed up by the offense going three-and-out on its final possession. Only needing a touchdown to win, the Rams’ offense, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford , got the ball back for one last drive with 2:23 remaining. It only took Stafford eight plays to drive the Rams to the Eagles’ 13-yard line, and with a few more completions, he could have eliminated the Eagles from the playoffs.
Carter, who has developed into one of the NFL’s best defensive players this year, kept Philadelphia’s season alive on the ninth play when he sacked Stafford for a 9-yard loss on third-and-2, which pushed Los Angeles back to the Eagles’ 22-yard line. On fourth-and-11, Carter applied pressure on Stafford, who threw an incompletion to wide receiver Puka Nacua, to help the Eagles escape. “I can’t say enough good things about his development as a player,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told reporters after the game.
“That just doesn’t happen because of talent. He’s talented as you guys see. He’s so talented.
But in this league there are a lot of guys that are talented. It takes more than talent to reach your potential, and he’s continuing to rise. That speaks a lot to Jalen Carter.
” In his second season with the Eagles, Carter has become the face of a championship-caliber defense, and at times, he has been the team’s most dominant player, including on Sunday against the Rams. The Eagles will need him to have a great game against the Washington Commanders, too, to win the NFC Championship this Sunday. Early in the fourth quarter against the Rams, Carter knocked the ball out of running back Kyren Williams' hands.
Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers scooped up the fumble at the 50-yard line and returned it for 40 yards to the 10, which set up a 23-yard Jake Elliott field goal to give Philadelphia a 19-15 lead. On the Eagles' previous offensive drive, quarterback Jalen Hurts took a safety, making it a one-point game (16-15). Carter swung the momentum back in the Eagles' direction with his turnover.
“I got one last time we played them in LA,” said Carter, who forced Williams to fumble in the Eagles' Week 12 win over the Rams, too. “I knew that it was a possibility that I could get it again. It’s on my mind.
” In the first half, Carter set the tone when he lifted Stafford into his arms for a sack on third-and-3, ending the Rams' second possession. The Rams double-teamed Carter on 26 of his 49 pass rushes, according to Next Gen Stats , and he still amassed five tackles, three quarterback hits, two sacks and a forced fumble. And he played 68 of 70 defensive snaps against the Rams, showing off impressive stamina.
“He’s stronger than anybody I know,” Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo, who played with Carter at Georgia, said. “Quick and fast, man. He can dunk.
He’s so athletically gifted, man. Being able to use that with being smart, watching film, reading your keys. Skies the limit for the guy.
” Carter beat the Rams' offensive line with different techniques He worked with second-year edge rusher Nolan Smith on a stunt, allowing him to rush from the inside as he went outside, to get his first sack on Stafford. Rams offensive guard Kevin Dotson tried to stop Carter from getting to his outside shoulder, but Carter swiped his hands to stop him from initiating contact. To put away the Rams in the fourth quarter, Carter took advantage of Rams rookie center Beaux Limmer’s slow reaction time and beat him with a swim move.
During his time at Georgia, Carter’s natural ability jumped out to everybody, but his effort was criticized. But in the first two years of his NFL career, he’s played with a relentless motor. He came from the other side of the defensive line to force Williams’ fumble.
On Rodgers' return, he got in the way of Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp to give Rodgers more room to run. “His ability to get after the ball, punching (balls out) and finishing tackles. I don’t think any defensive tackle does that (the way he does),” Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo said.
Two years ago, Roseman made one of the best decisions of his career when he selected Carter with the No. 9 pick of the NFL draft. Carter was projected to go higher, with some considering him to be the best player in that class, but he slipped due to off the field concerns.
Since then, Carter has emerged into a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s franchise and became a top player at his position, all of which has made Roseman proud. Carter could make Roseman even more happy if he dominates the Commanders' offensive line to get to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels on Sunday. MORE EAGLES COVERAGE Eagles’ ‘playmaker’ explains emotional reaction after stepping up in win playoff win over Rams Should Jalen Hurts, Eagles’ passing game get pass for latest performance? Here’s what A.
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