Dan Orlovsky shows how Jalen Carter sack probably saved Eagles' season

In the moment, it was clear that Jalen Carter's sack of Matthew Stafford on third-and-two in the fourth quarter was crucial in the Eagles holding on to defeat the Los Angeles Rams 28-22. 

But former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky showed the film breakdown of just how crucial Carter's fourth-quarter sack of Stafford really was: 

Must watch: Jalen Carter saved the Eagles season 👀 pic.twitter.com/Lo5K0Ev2Gv

— On Pattison (@OnPattison) January 20, 2025

Because Jake Elliott missed a pair of extra-point attempts, if Tyler Higbee had scored a touchdown on this play, it would have tied the game. All the Rams would have needed then was a successful extra-point attempt from Joshua Karty to take a one-point lead with just over a minute left in the game. Perhaps the extra point wasn't a given in the weather conditions, but Karty was 2-for-2 on extra-point attempts while also hitting on two field goal attempts. If the Rams had taken a 29-28 lead would the Eagles had been able to get in field goal position with a banged-up Jalen Hurts under center? Even if they did, would Elliott have made the potential game-winning attempt? It's fair to be skeptical on both accounts. 

The other possibility if Carter doesn't burst through the line with a vicious swim move and sack Stafford is that Higbee makes the catch and then is tackled inside the five-yard line. The Rams would have then had a first-and-goal opportunity and been able to run the clock down under a minute. Maybe the Eagles defensive line would have come up with a legendary stop. More likely is that the Rams would have scored and left so little time that the Eagles couldn't have done anything once they got the ball back. 

All of this is to say, if the Eagles go on to win the Super Bowl, don't forget the importance of Carter's second-half dominance in the Divisional Round win over the Rams.