The fireworks started early in Philadelphia.
Before their divisional round matchup Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, Eagles defensive Jalen Carter and the Rams’ Jared Verse exchanged words near the end zone as the rookie Los Angeles edge rusher did a lap around the perimeter.
Verse, who publicly stated he loathes Philly’s pᴀssionate fandom, was showered with boos during his lap, according to a video posted on X by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, when Carter entered the frame.
Although Garafolo “couldn’t make out” what Carter said to Verse, the 2024 first-round pick replied, “I’ll take that 77 for the next round.”
Each player receives $77,000 for a conference championship appearance, which is on the line Sunday.
The No. 2-seeded Eagles and the No. 4-seeded Rams are looking to host the Commanders in next week’s NFC Championship game.
The sixth-seeded Commanders knocked off the top-seeded Lions on Saturday in Detroit, 45-31.
The Eagles, just two seasons removed from a Super Bowl berth, cruised to a regular-season record of 14-3, thanks in part to a shiny new toy on offense in former Giants running back Saquon Barkley.
The Offensive Player of the Year candidate rushed for 119 yards in last Sunday’s 22-10 wild-card win over the Packers.
The Rams — guided by the Super Bowl-winning coach-quarterback tandem of Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford — overcame a sluggish 1-4 start to clinch the NFC West for the first time since their championship run in 2021.
Los Angeles’ postseason path began in Glendale, Ariz., last Monday, as the Cardinals offered the Rams their home State Farm Stadium to host what would be a 27-9 wild-card victory over the Vikings as devastating wildfires ravaged Southern California.
The Eagles got off to a swift start Sunday with quarterback Jalen Hurts rushing for a 44-yard touchdown to put Philadelphia up 6-0 early in the first quarter.
The Rams answered with a touchdown and extra point to take a 7-6 lead.
