NEW ORLEANS — Saquon Barkley made waves in his inaugural season with the Philadelphia Eagles, showcasing remarkable talent and record-breaking potential. He achieved an impressive feat by setting the franchise record for rushing yards in a season, joining the elite club of nine players in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards. Barkley has also notched seven touchdown runs of over 60 yards, solidifying his reputation as a formidable player, and is only the second individual in NFL history to amass over 400 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a single postseason.
Currently, Barkley is tantalizingly close to breaking the NFL’s all-time single-season rushing record, which includes postseason yards. He has accumulated 2,447 total rushing yards—442 of which were gained in the playoffs—while the record of 2,476 yards was set by Terrell Davis in 1998 as he led the Denver Broncos to a Super Bowl victory. As Barkley approaches his 28th birthday, he is expected to surpass this milestone and potentially lead the Eagles to claim the Lombardi Trophy.
Barkley is undoubtedly the transformative player the Eagles lacked during their narrow 35-33 Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs two years ago. With his dominant performances, he has propelled the Eagles to a total of 17 victories this season, securing both a division title and the NFC championship. The current Eagles squad is not just better than the previous year’s team; it is shaping up to be historically superior to their 2017 counterparts, who clinched the franchise’s first Super Bowl with quarterback Nick Foles leading the charge.
In their last Super Bowl appearance against Kansas City, quarterback Jalen Hurts was the leading rusher with only 70 yards, while the overall rushing stats fell to a mere 115 yards for the team. In contrast, Barkley has the potential to exceed that total before halftime in their upcoming matchup.
Looking at the Eagles’ offensive unit, Jalen Hurts has evolved into a standout player himself, having delivered dazzling performances on the grand stage. In their first Super Bowl face-off, Hurts had record numbers—throwing for 304 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 70 yards and three touchdowns, including a crucial 2-point conversion that tied the game. He is on the quest to become just the fourth quarterback to win the Super Bowl after previously losing his inaugural start.
From an overall offensive perspective, the Eagles have set an NFL benchmark this season, rushing for a record total of 3,731 yards across both regular season and postseason play. They are also eyeing a new record for total rushing touchdowns in a season, currently boasting 39, which is just three short of the record established in 2022.
Defensively, the Eagles have also turned heads, particularly with new additions contributing to their success. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter, drafted ninth overall in 2023, has made his mark with eight sacks, 53 pressures, and consistently disrupting opposing quarterbacks. This season, the Eagles have established themselves with three of the top eight and four of the top 22 interior pass rushers in the league.
The Eagles’ defensive prowess is underscored by impeccable statistics, leading the league in total defense at just 278.4 yards allowed per game, marking a historic seventh time in franchise history. They also excel in restricting passing yards to a league-best 174.2 yards per game. Furthermore, their significant plus-27 turnover differential, observed since Week 8 and extending into the postseason, is a testament to their dominance.
A key figure in this remarkable turnaround is defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who at 66 has expertly integrated eight new starters into a defense that had previously struggled. Under his leadership, players like Zack Baun have transitioned into standout roles, and rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have emerged as critical contributors in the secondary.
However, Fangio carries the weight of an unfortunate 0-8 record against quarterback Patrick Mahomes in his coaching career, an aspect of concern as he devises strategies to counter the Chiefs’ offensive threats.
On special teams, the Eagles face some uncertainty, particularly regarding kicker Jake Elliott. Once celebrated as “Jake the Make,” he has seen a decline in performance this season, missing eight field goals and struggling beyond 50 yards. Nevertheless, special teams coach Michael Clay expresses confidence in Elliott’s resilience, likening his mentality to that of a golfer who can rebound from a bad shot.
In contrast, Kansas City’s kicker Harrison Butker remains consistent, demonstrating precision and reliability, having played a significant role in their Super Bowl win last year against the San Francisco 49ers. His ability to produce clutch field goals has become a game-changing factor for the Chiefs.
As the Super Bowl approaches, both teams will look to their critical players and coaches for a chance at victory, making it a riveting rematch that fans will not want to miss.
