WASHINGTON (AFP) — Running back sensation Saquon Barkley rushed for two touchdowns as the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Los Angeles Rams 28-22 in the snow to reach the National Football Conference (NFC) Championship game on Sunday.

The Eagles will host NFC East divisional rivals the Washington Commanders next Sunday for a place in the Super Bowl.

The Eagles’ power in the running game proved decisive in a game played in heavy snow with Barkley, a candidate for the league’s Most Valuable Player, putting up 205 yards on 26 carries.

Even before the snow began to fall late in the first quarter, the Eagles exposed the Rams’ run defense, opening the scoring on the opening drive of the game when quarterback Jalen Hurts broke out and sprinted 44 yards for the touchdown.

The Rams fought back quickly though with quarterback Matthew Stafford leading a 13-play, 67-yard drive which ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight-end Tyler Higbee.

The Rams will have spent all week preparing for the threat of Barkley but they were still unable to stop him when he found a gap and sprinted 62 yards to put the Eagles up 13-7 at the end of the first quarter.

With conditions worsening as the snow fell heavily, the game became a gruelling battle — the Rams’ second field goal of the third quarter bringing them within a point.

The Eagles extended their lead with two field goals in the fourth before Barkley turned on the turbo chargers again with 4:36 left, the snow no obstacle to his power and speed as he burst 78 yards for his second touchdown.