PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley had a remarkable performance, scoring touchdowns on runs of 70 and 72 yards, solidifying his place in the Eagles franchise history.
Could this outstanding performance help him earn an MVP award or propel the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance?
The Eagles are flying high with a 9-2 record, boasting a seven-game winning streak since their bye week, including a 37-20 triumph over the Los Angeles Rams. They are now just one game behind Detroit for the best record in the NFC. According to BetMGM Sportsbook, only the Lions, Chiefs, and Bills have a better chance to win the Super Bowl. Coach Nick Sirianni is benefiting from Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts, both of whom are performing at peak levels as the season enters its final stretch.
Barkley has become a strong contender for the MVP award, establishing himself as one of the most significant free-agent signings in the history of the franchise, as this season has proven to be exceptional for him.
Some highlights of his game include:
— Barkley recorded a staggering 255 rushing yards on 26 carries and scored two touchdowns.
— His rushing yard total set a new single-game franchise record, surpassing the previous mark held by LeSean McCoy with 217 yards in 2013 against Detroit.
— This performance ranks as the ninth-best rushing game in NFL history, with notable names like Adrian Peterson and O.J. Simpson ahead of him.
— Barkley achieved over 100 rushing yards in a game for the seventh time this season, the most in the NFL for 2024, matching his career-best from his 2018 season with the New York Giants.
— These seven games with over 100 yards is tied for second most in the Eagles’ single-season record books, just shy of Wilbert Montgomery’s eight games in 1981.
“He just added a new dimension for us,” Hurts remarked.
Additionally, Barkley is now the first player in the NFL to have two 70-yard touchdown runs in a single game since Maurice Jones-Drew accomplished the feat in 2009.
The New York Giants, conversely, have suffered significantly, losing both QB Daniel Jones and Barkley, leaving them struggling with a dismal record.
“I didn’t anticipate such success, but I am grateful to be here,” Barkley commented. “I appreciate the fresh start. I wanted to come here because I believed it was a place where I could rewrite my narrative and showcase my potential, and things are working out right now.”
In terms of statistics, let’s applaud Barkley’s incredible contributions.
In the recent win, Barkley amassed a total of 302 yards from scrimmage (255 rushing, 47 receiving), which is the highest in the history of the Eagles and the ninth-most in a single game in NFL history, last achieved by Antonio Brown with 306 scrimmage yards in 2015.
He also surpassed 1,500 scrimmage yards for the season, reaching 1,602. Barkley now holds the remarkable title of being the fastest player in NFL history to reach that milestone within the first 11 games with a new team.
This record is the highest for any player in franchise history through the initial 11 games of a season.
Looking at the broader picture, the only concern for the Eagles might be the looming anxiety among fans about a potential collapse in December, mirroring last year’s struggles.
In a financial update, the Eagles’ owner, Jeffrey Lurie, has agreed to sell small stakes totaling 8% of the team to two families, retaining control over 85%. Lurie originally acquired the team for $185 million in 1994.
The stakes were purchased by Susan Kim, a semiconductor executive, and Ed Peskowitz, a businessman and former co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks.
The only downside to the recent game was injury-related, particularly the loss of cornerback Darius Slay, who experienced a concussion, along with wide receiver DeVonta Smith dealing with a hamstring issue, marking only the third absence in his four-year career. However, the Eagles encountered a more severe injury blow.
Defensive end Brandon Graham declared after the game that he would be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a torn triceps, a tough end to what he previously indicated could be his final season.
Graham’s strip-sack of Tom Brady in the Super Bowl stands as one of the most iconic moments in Eagles history, and he has been an integral part of the team’s defense since joining as the 13th overall pick in 2010. His career tally now stands at 76.5 career sacks, placing him third in franchise history.
“He’s a leader for our team, and we will rally around him,” Barkley stated.
On a positive note, the Eagles achieved a remarkable feat by holding opponents under 300 total yards for the seventh consecutive game, marking the longest such streak for the team since 2008.
Looking ahead, the Eagles will be traveling for a challenging matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.