The clock was ticking down to the fourth quarter as the DJ inside Lincoln Financial Field attempted to change the mood.
A strong wind was whipping this arena and snow was falling from the sky, but for a moment, dance music played and a party broke out in the stands.
It didn't matter that the temperature was around 30 degrees. It didn't matter that the field had been repainted white. Eagles fans took off their jerseys, jumped in their seats and sang. Downstairs, however, his players didn't have as much fun.
The Eagles had been dragged into a grim war of attrition by the Los Angeles Rams. For the last week and a half, Sean McVay's team has watched their house burn. They were forced to go to Arizona to face the Minnesota Vikings.
Here, they were greeted by a brutal snowstorm, a hostile crowd, and a tough Eagles defense. Their quarterback, Matthew Stafford, was also suffering from bad ribs.
Still they held on. All the way up to the last five minutes. And then Saquon Barkley decided enough was enough.
Saquon Barkley's impressive touchdown run sealed Eagles' victory over Rams
The running back scored a 78-yard touchdown to put the Eagles in the NFC Championship
The two teams battled brutal conditions and frigid temperatures at Lincoln Financial Field.
The running back picked up the ball at the Eagles' 22-yard line, saw an opening, dove into it, ran into the end zone and slid in the snow. It was Barkley's fourth touchdown against the Rams this season.
His shortest, in the first quarter here, was 62 yards. His longest sealed this 28-22 victory and took Nick Sirianni's team to the NFC Championship game. Suddenly, Eagles fans were signing once again. 'MVP,' they chanted.
Barkley topped 200 rushing yards once again, and unless the Washington Commanders find a way to stop him, the Eagles will be in a second Super Bowl in three seasons. But how Los Angeles made them fight for this.
Only a huge sack by Jalen Carter, within the final 90 seconds, clinched this game. Barkley will make headlines, but make no mistake, this was another win built on the backs of the Eagles defense.
Snow and sleet began falling around noon. By then, thousands of Eagles fans had already set up camp, lighting cigars, firing up their grills and huddled around naked flames.
It had been another brutal week for their reputation, after Ryan Caldwell abused a Packers rival and reinforced what many already thought about this fan base.
But Philadelphia fans are used to finding themselves in the line of fire. They are also designed for days like this. The question? How would Los Angeles cope?
Jalen Hurts gave the Philadelphia Eagles an early lead with a 44-yard touchdown run
The quarterback puts his hand to his ear as he celebrates his touchdown early Sunday.
TE Tyler Higbee responded with a touchdown as the Rams silenced Lincoln Financial Field
Fortunately for McVay, the snow had stopped before kickoff. The Rams could at least rely on Jared Verse to be warm as well.
The linebacker revealed that he “hates” Eagles fans and “gets heated” just by seeing the green and white. The rookie hyped up the crowd before kickoff, but his smile disappeared a few minutes later after Jalen Hurts stepped away from the 44-yard line.
That lit the green fuse; As the Rams prepared to take possession, Verse's words appeared on the stadium screens. Stafford and company were unfazed.
Los Angeles drove brilliantly down the field before Tyler Higbee tied the game. The visitors took the lead almost immediately: after Jake Elliot's extra point attempt went wide, Joshua Karty made no such mistake. It didn't last.
Throughout the entire first quarter, the Eagles threw the ball into Rams territory just once. It doesn't matter. Not when you have people like Hurts and Barkley.
The running back attacked Los Angeles in November, scoring from 70 and 72 yards. On Sunday, from the Eagles' 38-yard line, he tore through the Rams' defense once again. The closest chasing defender? Verse. Before the game, Barkley had warned the rookie that his words could backfire.
Then, as he approached the end zone, Barkley decided to rub it in. He looked back and mocked the defender.
Verse had his moment shortly after: he fired Hurts and made sure everyone knew it. 'A**hole,' the crowd chanted after Verse celebrated their next entrance.
Barkley put the Eagles back in front with another excellent touchdown run
By then, a tense battle was underway and snow was falling on Philadelphia once again. This time it was heavier; It began to give the field a lighter shade of green.
Stafford pressed on; Instead, it was Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell who injured his shoulder tackling the quarterback. Early in the second half it was confirmed that he would not return.
Mitchell left a big hole in the Eagles' defense that has led Sirianni's team this far. Without Mitchell, however, the Eagles managed to hold the Rams to a game-tying field goal midway through the third quarter.
On the other end of the field, the Eagles' offense stuttered once again. They regained the lead thanks to a 44-yard field goal by Elliot. But a penalty cost them more points and then Hurts headed to the blue tent after another nasty hit.
He arrived in time to take the ball near his own goal line. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, Hurts was sacked once again, this time for a safety.
The Eagles' lead was now one and tension increased once again. Carter then knocked the ball out of Kyren Williams' hands. Isaiah Rodgers picked it up and ran into the red zone. Soon, fireworks lit up the sky and the Eagles thought they were finally home.
Jake Elliot recovered from an early miss to make some crucial kicks in the second half.
First, Barkley dove toward the goal line. It was ruled a touchdown, but the decision was reversed on review.
Then a successful 'brotherly push' was nullified by another Eagles penalty. They were forced to settle for three more points for Elliot. Fortunately for Sirianni, his defense shined again.
Stafford was fired and that loss gave Elliot a chance to take the lead. That gave the Eagles some breathing room, then Barkley walked away.
There was another twist: Colby Parkinson scored to cut the lead to six, but in the end the Rams couldn't find the final miracle.