PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley finds it hard to explain why, during an impressive 78-yard touchdown run through the playoff snow, he held the football in his left hand while repeatedly striking his helmet with his right. “I was crashing out, as the kids would say,” Barkley remarked.
In simpler terms, this means he briefly lost control during what he describes as the best touchdown run of his career, even reflecting on it with nostalgia from his childhood. “Just the moment, the timing of it, the conversation I had with myself. The stuff I’ve been working on, it just all came together in that moment,” Barkley shared.
This season has indeed been a culmination of success for Barkley, marking his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles after spending six seasons with the New York Giants. Historically cautious about investing financially in running backs, the Eagles have seen a remarkable return on their $26 million investment in Barkley. He has consistently produced jaw-dropping plays, often likened to video game feats, even prompting Madden to update its game to reflect one of his extraordinary backward hurdles.
With his eye on the records of legends like Eric Dickerson and Terrell Davis, Barkley stands as an AP NFL MVP finalist. Beyond personal accolades, he has propelled the Eagles close to another shot at the Super Bowl. Having participated in only two playoff games with the Giants, Barkley has already accumulated 324 rushing yards in his initial two postseason appearances with Philadelphia. His next opportunity awaits this Sunday as the Eagles prepare to face the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game, aiming for their second Super Bowl this decade.
“To stop this man, it’s 11-man football,” remarked Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Looking at the numbers, most teams have struggled to contain him. Barkley’s 2,005 rushing yards not only set a new Eagles record but place him just 101 yards short of breaking Dickerson’s all-time season record of 2,105 yards. Including playoffs, he has recorded an NFL-high six rushing touchdowns of over 60 yards this season, totaling 2,329 rushing yards, which is 148 yards shy of surpassing Terrell Davis’s 2,476 yards from the 1998 season when the Broncos captured the Super Bowl.
As Barkley approaches these milestones, he demonstrates a clear passion for football history. He acknowledges his pursuit of records, aware of how close he is to etching his name among the legends of the game. “It’s something that helps with the legacy play,” he stated. “With my name being mentioned, what I want to do, what I wanted to accomplish in this game.”
Unlike the regular season finale where he lost his chance at Dickerson’s record due to inactivity, Barkley is eager and ready to play. He often cites a favorite saying from head coach Nick Sirianni, emphasizing the importance of teamwork: “You can’t be great without the greatness of others.” An impressive offensive line, featuring three Pro Bowl players—Landon Dickerson, Lane Johnson, and Cam Jurgens—has significantly contributed to his success on the field.
Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu acknowledged Barkley’s greatness, stating, “Going against the best is going to bring out the best in you, and he’s one of the best by far to ever play the position.” Although the Commanders are two-field goal underdogs heading into the game, they arrive with confidence after a previous victory against the Eagles in late December, where they effectively limited Barkley’s performance in the final quarters.
Earlier this season, Barkley had 15 carries for 56 yards in the first half against the Commanders, finishing the game with 146 yards and two touchdowns. In their subsequent matchup, however, Barkley had a solid start with 109 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter, despite being held to 41 yards after that. He dismissed any notions that the Commanders had his number, pointing out that they had to focus more on containing his offensive capabilities with quarterback Jalen Hurts sidelined.
Washington Coach Dan Quinn has consistently prioritized Barkley in game preparations, expressing, “Every single time that I’ve coached against him, he’s been the emphasis.” Meanwhile, Hurts has been somewhat underwhelming in the postseason, reflecting in just 259 passing yards and two touchdowns over two games.
Clearly, Barkley’s performance significantly influences the Eagles’ chances for success this postseason. While personal records contribute to his motivations, for Barkley, securing a Super Bowl title is paramount. “Win and move on,” he declared. “That’s the only thing that’s important.”
