What Super Bowl champions told Eagles' Saquon Barkley ahead of win over Rams

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley understood he'd spend Sunday's divisional-round playoff game versus the Los Angeles Rams running on a snow-covered field against an opponent focused on limiting his contributions out of the backfield. 

Thus, he reached out to Super Bowl champion ball-carriers Marshall Faulk and LeSean McCoy before what became a 28-22 Philadelphia win that put Barkley and Co. one victory away from playing in Super Bowl LIX.

"He told me, 'Don't predetermine plays. Trust your reads and allow your eyes and your feet to be connected. Be patient,'" Barkley said after the victory about the advice he received from Faulk, as shared by Tim McManus of ESPN. 

Meanwhile, McCoy told Barkley to "run on your toes" and to speak with the Eagles equipment manager about wearing the proper cleats for a snow game. 

Such interactions paid off rather well for Barkley, as he recorded touchdown runs of 62 and 78 yards against the Rams. In total, he tallied an incredible 205 yards on the ground and largely looked like an unstoppable force. 

According to the StatMuse website, Barkley has accumulated a league-best 355 total yards from scrimmage during the ongoing postseason tournament. Philadelphia may need the 27-year-old to produce his best playoff performance to date in this coming Sunday's home NFC Championship Game versus the division-rival Washington Commanders, as Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was visibly slowed by an injury to his left leg in the second half of the Rams matchup. 

In less than 12 months, Barkley has established himself as one of the greatest offseason acquisitions in the history of the Eagles. Some criticized Philadelphia last March when the club signed Barkley to a three-year, $37.75M contract that could be worth up to $46.75M with $26M fully guaranteed. He's thus far been worth every penny to his current employer. 

"The atmosphere was crazy," Barkley added during his postgame comments. "It was insane. I've got a smile on my face thinking about it. This is what you dream about. This is why I came to Philly. I wanted to be part of games like this, and I'm just happy to be a part of it."

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Eagles as 5.5-point favorites over the Commanders. Recent history suggests Barkley has the goods to carry Philadelphia to what would be the first Super Bowl appearance of his career even if Hurts is physically limited at Lincoln Financial Field on the final Sunday of January.