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Eagles ride Saquon Barkley, defense to NFC Championship Game in win vs. Rams: Key takeaways

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Eagles ride Saquon Barkley, defense to NFC Championship Game in win vs. Rams: Key takeaways

The Philadelphia Eagles advanced to the conference championship game for the second time in the last three seasons after a snowy 28-22 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Lincoln Financial Field was covered in snow in the second half of the tightly contested NFC divisional matchup, but Philadelphia’s usual strengths — its No. 1-ranked defense (by yards allowed) and its Saquon Barkley-led rushing attack — were the difference yet again. That was especially key after quarterback Jalen Hurts was hampered by a left knee injury sustained while absorbing a sack late in the third quarter.

In addition to a pair of long touchdown runs, Barkley’s 205 rushing yards were good for the fifth-best postseason rushing total in NFL history, a fitting follow-up to his 302-yard performance during the two teams’ Week 12 meeting.

Philly now turns its attention to Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders with a Super Bowl appearance on the line when they play next Sunday. The NFC East rivals split their 2024 season series. They have met only one other time in the postseason, a 20-6 wild-card win by Washington in January 1991.

Defense continues its dominance

The Eagles’ defense gave Philadelphia chances to put the Rams away early. It forced two first-half field goals while backed up in the red zone. On the first instance, C.J. Gardner-Johnson supplied a major tackle for loss, following the motion on the play into the backfield. In the fourth quarter, Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith forced fumbles that gave the Eagles the ball in Rams territory. Both turnovers only resulted in field goals.

The Eagles forced a three-and-out with 4:47 left in the game, and Barkley immediately rushed for a 78-yard touchdown to threaten to put the game away. But the Eagles’ defense subsequently gave up a 10-play touchdown drive, which, followed by a three-and-out by the Eagles’ offense, forced Philly to defend the field one last time. They did. A turnover on downs deep in Eagles territory ended the game. — Brooks Kubena, Eagles staff writer

Ailing Hurts not playing at his highest level

Hurts, who finished with 128 passing yards Sunday, has now twice thrown for under 200 yards in the playoffs. Nick Sirianni has defended his franchise quarterback throughout the season, sermonizing different variations of “Jalen is a winner.” Indeed, Hurts fulfills a different role in this offense this season. He is more conservative in the pocket, leveraging Barkley and a top-rated defense on the way to more physical victories.

It’s fair to say Hurts was conservative last week against the Green Bay Packers. His play against the Rams on Sunday was poor. He took far too many sacks in consequential situations, including a safety that allowed the Rams to crawl to within one point, 16-15. He missed open receivers on multiple plays.

A.J. Brown had his own blunders, dropping two passes, including a deep ball near the pylon. The Eagles simply need better play from Hurts to fully take advantage of the opportunities their defense is supplying them. — Kubena

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Eagles still waiting for offense to click

The Eagles failed to fully capitalize on offensive opportunities, and it nearly cost them. They built a 13-7 first-quarter lead on a 44-yard touchdown run by Hurts and a 62-yard touchdown run by Barkley. They were disjointed for most of the rest of the game. Hurts was sacked six times — three times in the final two possessions of the first half, in which the Eagles punted twice in Rams territory. Brown also dropped the well-placed pass from Hurts near the pylon in that stretch.

In the second half, the Eagles failed to score touchdowns off two defensive turnovers in Rams territory. Most inexcusable: Lane Johnson was flagged for a false start, wiping out a Brotherly Shove touchdown on fourth-and-goal at the 1. Jake Elliott, who struggled for stretches of this season, came through for the Eagles when it mattered most. He made all three of his field goal attempts on a field blanketed in snow.

This is the second straight week the Eagles offense has needed the defense to bail it out and give Hurts and company time to put the game on ice. Can the Eagles advance to the Super Bowl that way next week, hosting the Commanders in the NFC Championship Game? — Kubena

Required reading

(Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)

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ESPN’s Stephen A Smith hears boos from WrestleMania 42 crowd

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ESPN’s Stephen A Smith hears boos from WrestleMania 42 crowd

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Danhausen’s curse may be real after all – just ask Stephen A. Smith and the New York Mets.

While the latter dropped their 10th game in a row, Smith got his share of the curse on Saturday night during Night 1 of WrestleMania 42. Smith was in attendance for WWE’s premier event of the year and heard massive boos from the crowd.

Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)

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Smith was sitting ringside to watch the action. The ESPN star appeared on the videoboard above the ring at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He appeared to embrace the reaction and smiled through it.

The boos came after Danhausen appeared on “First Take” on Friday – much to the chagrin of the sports pundit. Smith appeared perplexed by Danhausen’s appearance. Smith said he heard about Danhausen and called him a “bad luck charm.”

Danhausen said Smith had been “rude” to him and put the dreaded “curse” on the commentator.

WWE STAR DANHAUSEN SAYS METS ‘CURSE’ ISN’T EXACTLY LIFTED AS TEAM DROPS NINTH STRAIGHT GAME

Stephen A. Smith attends WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 18, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)

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Smith is far from the only one dealing with the effects of the “curse.”

Danhausen agreed to “un-curse” the Mets during their losing streak. However, he told Fox News Digital earlier this week that there was a reason why the curse’s removal didn’t take full effect.

“I did un-curse the Mets. But it didn’t work because, I believe it was Brian Gewirtz who did not pay Danhausen. He did not send me my money so it did not take full effect,” Danhausen said. “Once I have the money, perhaps it will actually work because right now it’s probably about a half of an un-cursing. It’s like a layaway situation.”

Danhausen enters the arena before his match against Kit Wilson during SmackDown at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on April 10, 2026. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

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On “Friday Night SmackDown,” WWE stars like The Miz and Kit Wilson were also targets of Danhausen’s curse.

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After 55 years as a broadcaster in L.A., Randy Rosenbloom is leaving town

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After 55 years as a broadcaster in L.A., Randy Rosenbloom is leaving town

It’s time to reveal memories, laughs and crazy times from Randy Rosenbloom’s 55 years as a TV/radio broadcaster in Los Angeles. He’s hopping in a car next Sunday with his wife, saying goodbye to a North Hollywood house that’s been in his family since 1952 and driving 3,300 miles to his new home in Greenville, S.C.

“When I walk out, I’ll probably break down,” he said.

He graduated from North Hollywood High in 1969. He got his first paid job in 1971 calling Hart basketball games for NBC Cable Newhall for $10 a game. It began an adventure of a lifetime.

“I never knew if I overachieved or underachieved. I just did what I loved,” he said.

Randy Rosenbloom (left) used to work with former UCLA coach John Wooden for TV games.

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(Randy Rosenbloom)

John Wooden, Jerry Tarkanian and Jim Harrick were among his expert commentators when he did play by play for college basketball games. He called volleyball at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games for NBC and rowing in 2004. He’s worked more than 100 championship high school events. He did play by play for the first and only Reebok Bowl at Angel Stadium in 1994 won by Bishop Amat over Sylmar, 35-14.

“There were about 5,000, 6,000 people there and I remember thinking nobody watched the game. We ended up with a 5.7 TV rating on Channel 13 in Los Angeles, which is higher than most Lakers games.”

He conducted interviews with NFL Hall of Famers Gale Sayers and Johnny Unitas and boxing greats Robert Duran, Thomas Hearn and Sugar Ray Leonard. He’s worked with baseball greats Steve Garvey and Doug DeCinces. He called games with former USC coach Rod Dedeaux. He was in the radio booth for Bret Saberhagen’s 1982 no-hitter in the City Section championship game at Dodger Stadium. He was a nightly sportscaster for KADY in Ventura.

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Randy Rosenbloom, left, with his volleyball broadcast partners, Kirk Kilgour and Bill Walton.

Randy Rosenbloom, left, with his volleyball broadcast partners, Kirk Kilgour and Bill Walton.

(Randy Rosenbloom)

He was the voice of Fresno State football and basketball. He also did Nevada Las Vegas football and basketball games. He called bowl games and Little League games. He was a public address announcer for basketball at the 1984 Olympic Games with Michael Jordan the star and did the P.A. for Toluca Little League.

Nothing was too small or too big for him.

“I loved everything,” he said.

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He called at least 10 East L.A. Classic football games between Garfield and Roosevelt. He was there when Narbonne and San Pedro tied 21-21 in the 2008 City championship game at the Coliseum on a San Pedro touchdown with one second left.

Probably his most notable tale came when he was doing radio play-by-play at a 1998 college bowl game in Montgomery, Ala.

“I look down and a giant tarantula is crawling up my pants,” he said. “My color man took all the press notes, wadded them up and hit the tarantula like swinging a bat.”

Did Rosenbloom tell the audience what was happening?

“I stayed calm,” he said.

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Then there was the time he was in the press box at Sam Boyd Stadium and a bat flew in and attached itself to the wooden press box right next to him before flying away after he said, “UNLV wins.”

Recently, he’s been putting together high school TV packages for LA36 and calling travel ball basketball games. He’ll still keep doing a radio gambling show from his new home, but he’s cutting ties to Los Angeles to move closer to grandchildren.

“I’m retiring from Los Angeles. I’m leaving the market,” he said.

Hopefully he’ll continue via Zoom to do a weekly podcast with me for The Times.

He’s a true professional who’s versatility and work ethic made him a reliable hire from the age of 18 through his current age of 74.

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He’s a member of the City Section Hall of Fame and the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He once threw the shot put 51 feet, 7 1/2 inches, which is his claim to fame at North Hollywood High.

One time an ESPN graphic before a show spelled his name “Rosenbloom” then changed it to “Rosenblum” for postgame. It was worth a good laugh.

He always adjusts, improvises and ad-libs. He expects to enjoy his time in South Carolina, but he better watch out for tarantulas. They seem to like him.

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Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42

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Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42

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Becky Lynch entered an atmosphere no other WWE women’s superstar has ever reached as she won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship over AJ Lee on Saturday night at WrestleMania 42.

Lynch became the first person to hold the Women’s Intercontinental Championship three times after she pinned Lee. She first won the title against Lyra Valkyria in June 2025 and then again against Maxxine Dupri in November.

Becky Lynch celebrates with the belt after defeating AJ Lee during their women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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She dropped the belt to Lee at the Elimination Chamber, sparking a monthslong feud with her.

Lee gave Lynch the chance at the title in the weeks prior to WrestleMania 42. But it appeared Lee played right into Lynch’s plans. Despite arguing with referee Jessica Carr for most of the match, Lynch was able to tactfully tear down a rope buckle and use it to her advantage.

Lynch hit Lee with a Manhandle Slam and pinned her for the win.

WWE STARS REVEAL WHAT MAKES WRESTLEMANIA SO SPECIAL: ‘IT’S THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO WRESTLING’

AJ Lee reacts after losing to Becky Lynch in their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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It’s the second straight year Lynch will leave Las Vegas as champion. She returned to WWE at WrestleMania 41, teaming with Valkyria, to win the women’s tag titles. She will now leave Allegiant Stadium as the women’s intercontinental champion.

Lynch is now a seven-time women’s champion, three-time women’s intercontinental champion and two-time tag team champion.

Becky Lynch withstands AJ Lee during their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Lee’s reign as champion ended really before it could really begin. WrestleMania 42 was her first appearance at the event in 11 years. It’s unclear where Lee will go from here.

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