Blocktemberfest!

PHILADELPHIA — The divisional round rematch between the Eagles and Rams lacked the elegant backdrop of snow, but very much lived up to its billing in a game that featured a bit of everything. Ultimately, though, the Eagles valiantly clawed back to secure the victory, winning 33-26. Rams kicker Joshua Karty attempted a game-winning field goal that was blocked and returned the other direction by a sprinting Jordan Davis.

On the game-winning drive, quarterback Jalen Hurts engineered a 17-play, 91-yard scoring drive that began with a 25-yard pickup from wide receiver A.J. Brown on a 3rd-and-10. Hurts, with 1:48 remaining, delivered a short, 4-yard toss to wide receiver DeVonta Smith for the go-ahead touchdown to inch ahead by one, though the two-point conversion was no good.

GETTY IMAGES: Philadelphia Eagles DT Jordan Davis blocked two field goals, including the game-winning attempt, in the 33-26 comeback victory.

Hurts completed 21 of 32 attempts for 226 and three touchdowns, adding another 40 yards and a score on the ground.

Inactive for the Eagles: OLB Azeez Ojulari, QB Tanner McKee (3rd QB), RB Will Shipley, OLB Ogbo Okoronkwo, OLB Patrick Johnson, C/G Drew Kendall, G Kenyon Green.

Inactive for the Rams: OLB Nick Hampton, QB Stetson Bennett, TE Terrance Ferguson, T D.J. Humphries, G Steve Avila.

On Saturday, the Eagles elevated S Marcus Epps and TE Cameron Latu from the practice squad. For Epps, who doubles as the personal protector on punt in the absence of Shipley, this marks his third and final elevation.

Let’s get to the observations.

*The Eagles won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. For the Rams, it appeared that their drive stalled on a 2nd-and-10 from their own 36-yard line, with LB Zack Baun reading the eyes of Rams QB Matthew Stafford and jumping a pass over the middle — intended for WR Davantae Adams — for the interception. The Eagles made good on the gift with a 9-play, 38-yard drive that was capped with a 1-yard Hurts plunge. The oft-scrutinized offense wasn’t able to get much going on the ensuing drive, however, losing five yards on three plays. The play that derailed the drive was a sack by DT Poona Ford, who dropped Hurts for an 8-yard loss. Early in the contest, it didn’t appear LG Landon Dickerson was moving particularly well.

*Interesting that the Eagles opted to replace RT Lane Johnson (neck) with veteran Matt Pryor. Sure, Pryor carries plenty of experience, but he didn’t have the most consistent showing in camp and the team reacquired Fred Johnson, who performed well in spot duty for the team last season, to bolster its thin depth. Fred Johnson, who felt like the sixth offensive lineman and game day swing tackle, seemed to be the better option. The offense struggled mightily to establish any semblance of consistency once Johnson exited the game and Pryor was inserted. In the third quarter, Johnson was eventually plugged in at right tackle.

*It doesn’t happen often, certainly not last season against this team, but the Eagles were blown off the ball by a smaller Rams front. Specifically, it was inside zone runs that diced the defense, with RB Kyren Williams picking up 69 yards on 13 carries at the break. An effective running game proved timely for the Rams, as Stafford was off-target on a number of his throws.

*On Stafford’s 44-yard touchdown strike to Adams in the first quarter, the veteran signal caller had plenty of time to let the route develop and deliver a perfect drop in the bucket. The Eagles provided little resistance on the play and generated minimal push up front.

*The Eagles were faced with several third-and-longs early in this one and opted for a more conservative approach. With a full complement of offensive linemen, perhaps it might make some sense trying to open things up, but I agree with the decisions given the circumstances. They had a fill-in at right tackle who was struggling and the Rams, at the time, were swarming defensively.

*Eagles running back Saquon Barkley combined for 460 rushing yards in two games versus the Rams last season. Going in, it felt like the offensive approach from the Eagles’ perspective would be to return to the well until the Rams proved they could stop it. But they did, holding Barkley to just 13 yards on 7 first half carries. The talented, albeit undersized, defensive front swarmed to the football and gang tackled the superstar running back, seemingly stymieing the primary focus of the offensive gameplan. As a result, it afforded an opportunity for the much-discussed passing game to get rolling, but again, it looked eerily as simplistic as it did the first two weeks of the season.

*Whether it was newly acquired RB Tank Bigsby or WR John Metchie III, the Eagles struggled fielding squib kicks this afternoon. Bigsby, brought in large part to provide a spark in the return game, botched the squib and regained control enough to pick up 8 yards on a second quarter return. While I was of the belief that Bigsby, Metchie III and perhaps even WR Darius Cooper could preserve Shipley for offensive purposes, it’s evident they need Shipley back on returns when healthy.

*I jotted this down last week and the snap share ultimately reflected it, but it appears the rookie Cooper has surpassed Metchie III. Cooper, who the Eagles like for his toughness and blocking ability, already had a role on the “push play,” but it seems like the Tarleton State product may have moved from No. 5 to No. 4 on the depth chart. Cooper left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and was ruled out.

*Very good effort play in the third quarter from Davis, who chased down a scrambling Matthew Stafford along the sideline to stop him short of a first down. Davis was credited with a sack on the play. Davis was also in on a 4th-and-1 fourth quarter stop, though Jalen Carter and Baun were officially credited with the stop.

*Carter, by the way, delivered late in the fourth quarter, rising up to reject a 36-yard Joshua Karty field goal attempt. Carter, apparently, was unable to show restraint and was tagged for a taunting penalty post-play.

*Curious decision for Nick Sirianni to elect to go for it on a 4th-and-7 from the 50 after the defense comes up with a key 4th-and-1 stop. It just felt a little too aggressive given the situation. As it were, Hurts’ throw to Brown was incomplete.

*For a time, predominately in the third quarter, the passing game opened up, with Hurts launching a 38-yard bomb down the right sideline and then a 33-yard touchdown over the middle to tight end Dallas Goedert. Hurts, afforded enough time to survey and deliver, found the soft spots in coverage and capitalized.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com