During the most recent NFL Draft, Will Shipley was selected in the 4th round by a Philadelphia Eagles team that had just signed Saquon Barkley a little over a month earlier. He had to know he wouldn't get much playing time at that moment.
You can't argue with the situation though. Following a stellar career with the Clemson Tigers, he landed with a contender that would allow him to share his first NFL meeting room with one of the best tailbacks of a generation.
Then, it happened. With the NFC Championship Game in hand (and a 25-point lead deep in the 4th quarter), Saquon took the rest of the night off. Enter the rookie.
How's this for a nice headline?
Eagles hang 55 points (an NFC Championship Game record) on the Commanders with an exclamation point delivered by Will Shipley.
Truthfully, we didn't know how the NFC Championship Game would turn out. We expected a dog fight from a divisional rival, and we got one.
Philly got all they could handle from a game vs. Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. The opponent eventually trimmed the margin to 11 points during the second half. Then, the offense started rolling as the Birds enjoyed a little revenge.
Washington rallied with 22 fourth-quarter points to beat the Eagles in Week 16. Philly hung 21 in the final frame vs. the Commanders on Sunday. 55 total points is an NFC Championship Game record.
The final TD plunge came from the rookie. Will Shipley toted the rock four times for 77 yards, including a 57-yard dash to finish with 77 yards rushing and the first rushing TD of his career.
1st career TD in an NFC Championship Game.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 26, 2025
You'll always remember this one, @willshipley2021! 💚 pic.twitter.com/A7OkcHUhSc
Congratulations. We believe this to be the first of many.
Philly advances to the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons. Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts become the first head coach and quarterback to reach football's biggest game twice. We'll celebrate this one for a little bit longer. Then, it's time to go to work and hopefully finish this story.