The biggest unknown heading into Sunday’s NFC championship game — at least the one most people seem to be talking about — is the status of Jalen Hurts and how his left knee might hinder his ability to move around.

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter burst onto the scene last Sunday for the Philadelphia Eagles, tallying five tackles, three quarterback hits, two sacks, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble in their 28–22 playoff win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Jalen Carter has rapidly emerged as a powerhouse at defensive tackle and an influential Eagles leader, showcasing his exceptional talent and strong presence on and off the field. The Athletic recently

After a lousy practice in the infancy of this season, Jalen Carter stepped into a players-only huddle and addressed the entire team for the first time. Several teammates still remember his message: Where we are is not where we need to be.

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.

Jalen Carter saved the Eagles’ season. That’s not to take anything away from Saquon Barkley’s 205-yard game or Nolan Smith’s forced fumble or Zack Baun’s heroics or anything else that the Eagles did well in their 28-22 win over the Rams.