Eagles’ Super Bowl hopes rest on ‘freaking animal’ who saved them last year: Can he do it again?

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The Eagles won the Super Bowl last February, but it wouldn’t have happened without defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who saved them on the final two plays of their Divisional Round playoff win over the Los Angeles Rams.

More than last season, Philadelphia needs Carter to deliver an even more spectacular postseason performance this year to go on a deep run. The 11-5 Eagles have struggled on offense and special teams for most of the year, putting pressure on the defense to carry the team.

The Eagles will need to shut down the best offenses to survive and advance. They have done this numerous times this season, including on Sunday during the team’s 13-12 win over the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.

Carter, who missed the previous three weeks with shoulder problems, looked like his old self again, making an already strong defense even more dangerous. He recorded one sack, blocked a crucial extra point and consistently pressured Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

“I didn’t feel like this with the shoulders all season,” Carter said after the game. “Just to be able to strike blocks and not have too much pain when I’m coming off and my arms taking the heat. It felt good, man. I’m going to get it better every week. Work on it to get the strength back and go from there.”

Carter is built to shine in the playoffs. He’s made his best plays in big moments.

On the final drive of the Rams’ playoff game, Carter prevented the Rams from scoring a game-winning touchdown from within the red zone. He sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford for a 9-yard loss on third-and-2, and on fourth down, he pressured Stafford into an incompletion to wide receiver Puka Nacua.

Carter and the Eagles could face the Rams again this year in the playoffs, possibly in the NFC Wild Card round at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles could beat them for the same reason they beat them last year: Carter is a mismatch for their interior offensive line.

“I thought he played well,” Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said about Carter’s return against Buffalo. “I really didn’t know how he would play because he missed three games, I believe, and didn’t practice until this past week during that time. I thought he played well, I think he’s off to a good start and hopefully he’ll build on that and play good down the stretch here and into the playoffs.”

If Carter had not blocked Bills kicker Michael Badgley’s PAT, the Eagles probably would have lost. A successful kick would have cut Philadelphia’s lead to 13-7, making it a six-point game with 5:11 remaining. Then, Buffalo could have just kicked an extra point on the final drive to win.

Instead, they trailed 13-12, went for two and failed to convert.

“That’s why we brought him here: to be a game changer,” Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham said. “And he one of them rare ones, man. We got to make sure we just keep him healthy, make sure that he just comes ready to play every week, which I know he will. Man, it’s just cool to see him back in the fold, making some plays this week.”

During the second quarter of Sunday’s game, Carter swatted down Bills offensive guard O’Cyrus Torrence’s arm to get up field for a quick sack of Allen — the first sign he was back to his All-Pro form.

Carter has the potential to be one of the league’s top defensive players during his prime. Another dominant playoff run could strengthen his legacy.

“He’s a freaking animal, so we’re very happy that he’s back,” Eagles safety Reed Blankenship said.