Jalen Hurts accuses Rams of cheating on tush push play in NFC Divisional playoff game

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles gutted out a tough win over the Los Angeles Rams but it wasn’t without difficulties.

As Philadelphia advanced to the NFC Championship with a 28-22 win over LA, Hurts noted how one drive didn’t end in a touchdown. Leading 16-15 in the fourth quarter, trying to capitalize off a Rams fumble, Hurts appeared to score on Philly’s “tush push” QB sneak.

However, Lane Johnson was flagged for a false start on that 4th and Goal play, forcing the Eagles to settle for a field goal. Although, it might not have been Johnson’s fault exactly.

“Happy about the win,” Hurts said to NBC’s Melissa Stark. “Give credit to that defense, to how they played. Got those turnovers. We only got three on one (of the possessions after the turnover). They simulated the snap on our quarterback sneak. So we found a way to win. That’s all that matters at this time of the year.”

Defenses can get flagged for simulating an offense’s snap count, although the officials have to be able to catch it. Whether it actually happened or not is up for interpretation, but Hurts said the Rams were guilty.

The Eagles held on in the end, thanks in large part to Saquon Barkley in the second half. They’ll host NFC East rival, the Washington Commanders, next week with a trip to Super Bowl LIX on the line.

“I don’t know if it’ll snow next week, but rain, sleet or snow. Eagles trained to go. We’ll be ready to go,” Hurts said.

Hurts finished the game 15-of-20 passing for 128 yards amid a snowstorm, but ran seven times for 70 yards and a 44-yard touchdown on the team’s opening drive.

Barkley was the star, running 26 times for 205 yards and two touchdowns. That included a 78-yard touchdown run with 4:36 to go in the game and that proved to be the deciding score. Barkley credited the offensive line and Hurts for giving him good looks Sunday.

“The elements (were) great, but the atmosphere was even better,” Barkley said postgame. “Our fans are amazing. That was a close one, but that’s playoff football, and at the end of day, we got the job done … It starts up front with those guys, and then when you have a quarterback that can take you 50 yards to the house, that opens up stuff for you too.”