INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Saquon Barkley showcased an extraordinary performance on Sunday night, scoring two touchdowns with impressive runs of 70 and 72 yards in the second half. He concluded the game with a remarkable 255 rushing yards, setting a new franchise record for the Philadelphia Eagles, as they triumphed over the Los Angeles Rams with a score of 37-20.
Barkley’s incredible effort placed him among the elite in NFL history, marking the ninth-highest rushing total in a single game. His 70-yard touchdown on the very first play of the third quarter ignited the Eagles’ momentum, and he capped off his stellar outing with another long run as the game drew to a close.
In total, Barkley amassed 302 yards when combining his rushing and receiving statistics, achieving the rare feat of being the first NFL player since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2009 to record two touchdown runs of over 70 yards in a single game. Currently, he leads the league with 1,392 rushing yards and boasts seven 100-yard rushing games, solidifying his monumental impact in his inaugural season with the Eagles.
Averaging an impressive 9.8 yards per carry, Barkley shattered the Eagles’ previous franchise record of 217 rushing yards set by LeSean McCoy back in 2013. Additionally, his performance surpassed DeMarco Murray’s 253 rushing yards against the Rams in 2011, marking the highest rushing output against Los Angeles.
A.J. Brown was a key contributor, recording six receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown from quarterback Jalen Hurts, who himself threw for 179 yards. The Eagles, now leading the NFC East with a 9-2 record, put forth a dominant second half, scoring 24 points to pull away from the Rams.
Despite the Eagles’ defensive dominance in the second quarter, they only held a narrow 13-7 lead at halftime. Barkley opened the scoring in the third quarter with his electrifying run, earning his ninth rushing touchdown of the season, the second-longest of his seven-year career.
For the Rams (5-6), Kyren Williams scored a rushing touchdown, and Demarcus Robinson caught a touchdown pass. Matthew Stafford threw for 243 yards but faced significant pressure, being sacked five times by the Eagles’ formidable defense. Puka Nacua contributed with nine receptions for 117 yards, while Cooper Kupp caught a 27-yard touchdown pass as the game wound down.
Barkley had a quieter first half, managing just 73 yards on the ground, but he made his presence felt after halftime. After Robinson’s response to his 70-yard run, Kenneth Gainwell found the end zone shortly after with a 13-yard touchdown, aided by Barkley’s impressive catch and run prior.
Continuing the trend late in the game, the Eagles kept Barkley on the field, as he seized another opportunity to break through Los Angeles’ defense for his second touchdown run.
In terms of injuries, the Eagles experienced some concerns with cornerback Darius Slay exiting due to a concussion, while wide receiver DeVonta Smith sat out only the third game of his four-year NFL career due to a hamstring issue. The Rams were without starting right tackle Rob Havenstein for a third straight game, with backup Warren McClendon struggling in his stead.
Looking ahead, the Eagles are set to face the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday, while the Rams will travel to New Orleans on the same day.