Rams' Sean McVay makes feelings known on facing Saquon Barkley ahead of Eagles playoff game

After starting the campaign 1-4, the Los Angeles Rams won nine of their final 12 regular season game to win the NFC West. They were then tasked with beating the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings in the Wildcard Round of the playoffs, which many believed was a bridge too far for Sean McVay's team.

However, they not only pulled off the upset but beat them 27-9 to earn a trip to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round. The two teams have already faced off twice in Week 12. The Eagles handed the Rams a blowout win on the back of a Saquon Barkley masterclass.

During his media availability on Thursday, McVay was asked what makes the Eagles running back special. The head coach gave an elaborate answer before claiming that his team was better prepared than in Week 12:

"[saquon Barkley's] patient and he hits you for a couple of those runs but if he gets clean to the second and third levels, he's such a slash runner and he has the speed to finish. That's why he's such a dynamic player.

"I think our sense of urgency will be appropriate for the task at hand this week. We love it and we're looking forward to it, but we have a ton of respect for this group."

Saquon Bakley's historic performance against the Rams in Week 12

As Sean McVay revealed, the Rams have devised a game plan to limit Saquon Barkley. It isn't surprising in the slightest given the season he's had and his jaw-dropping performance against them in Week 12.

The Eagles star rushed for a career-high 255 yards on 26 attempts and two touchdowns. He also caught four passes on four targets for 46 yards as LA's defense had no answer for the running back.

Barkley's 302 yards from scrimmage is the 10th-most in a game in NFL history. He became one of only 12 players to register 300+ yards from scrimmage in a game and the first since then-Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones in 2016.

He set a new franchise record for rushing yards in a game, eclipsing LeSean McCoy, who rushed for 217 yards against the Detroit Lions in 2013. Barkley will be keen on repeating his heroics, while the Rams will be determined to bottle up the running back. It remains to be seen who will prevail.