Jared Verse reacts to boos and taunts from Eagles fans and Saquon Barkley sacks Jalen Hurts

Jared Verse poked the bear.

On Sunday, the bear stung back. The bear in this case is Philadelphia Eagles fans.

As his Los Angeles Rams prepared for Sunday’s playoff game against the Eagles, Verse offered an honest assessment of his feelings for Eagles fans in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

“I hate Eagles fans,” Vers said. “They are so annoying. I hate Eagles fans.”

It was a gutsy move by the Rams’ rookie pass rusher, who made the Pro Bowl this season as a disruptive force in opposing backfields. Eagles fans, meanwhile, are notorious for being Philadelphia sports fans. Verse’s comments were a direct invitation to said fans targeting him. Target him, they did.

They did that first with a billboard. Prior to Sunday’s game, a billboard was erected near the Eagles’ tailgate zone with Verse’s quote along with a photo of a screaming Eagles fan. The message was clear. Give verse hell.

Vers did not shy away from what came. He strolled along the sidelines prior to pregame warmups, hammering away at fans who showed up early and greeted him with a chorus of boos.

After warmups, Verse literally skipped into the locker room when the significantly fuller stands at Lincoln Financial Field let him hear it.

Vers clearly ate it up.

Then, after kickoff, the video board crew got down to business. They put Verse’s quote up on the board and then cut to a smiling verse as he sat on the sidelines.

Eagles fans responded accordingly.

The story carried over into the second quarter, with Eagles running back Saquon Barkley getting in on the action. Barkley, a former New York Giant, had previously questioned the wisdom of Verse’s taunt.

On Sunday, Verse pursued as Barkley sprinted down the sideline for a 62-yard touchdown to give Philadelphia a 13-7 lead. As he neared the finish line, Barkley slowed just enough to look directly back at Verse, who had no chance of stopping him.

It was certainly a satisfying moment for Eagles fans, who had found a new public enemy No. 1. But Verse was ready with an answer.

On Philadelphia’s next possession, the Eagles drove into field-goal range. But Verse ensured no points would be scored on the drive with a third-down sack of Jalen Hurts that forced a punt.

Of course, it also invited a loud chorus of boos from the stands.

Verse added another sack of Hurts to end the first half and prevent the Eagles from firing on a Hail Mary.