As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for their NFC Divisional Round clash with the Los Angeles Rams, the potential for snow at Lincoln Financial Field looms large over Sunday’s 3 p.m. ET kickoff. However, one Eagles player is less than enthused about the possibility of a winter wonderland.
“It’s miserable. It’s miserable, I am not going to lie,” left tackle Jordan Mailata candidly told reporters Thursday, via 94WIP’s Devan Kaney. “But that is one of the advantages of playing at home. You’ve got to get used to this weather. For it to be very consistent weather, it’s good for us. Then again, it’s whoever shows up on Sunday.”
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While snow games evoke nostalgia for their traditional, gritty football aesthetics, the Australian Mailata’s pragmatism underscores the challenges of playing in adverse conditions. Still, the Eagles could turn a snowy field into an asset, particularly with star running back Saquon Barkley leading the charge.
Barkley enters the game fresh off a dominant Wild Card performance in Philadelphia’s 22-10 win over the Green Bay Packers, rushing for 119 yards on 25 carries. His explosiveness in adverse conditions has already been proven this season.
Barkley torched the Rams in their Week 7 meeting for a career-high 255 yards, including 182 in the second half. His performance included touchdown runs of 70 and 72 yards, a reminder of his game-breaking ability in any environment.
The Rams, who punched their ticket to the divisional round with a commanding 27-9 victory over the Vikings, face a tall task in slowing Philadelphia’s ground game – especially if snow becomes a factor. Running the ball effectively and minimizing mistakes in cold, slippery conditions could decide who advances to the NFC Championship Game.
