Saquon BarkleyThe Philadelphia Eagles' magical 2024 season continued on Sunday as they became the ninth player ever to rush for 2,000 or more yards in a win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Barkley now has 2,005 rushing yards on the season after going for 167 on 31 carries in a 41-7 defeat Cowboyswhich clinched the NFC East title for Philadelphia.
Barkley reached the milestone in the fourth quarter after breaking in a 23-yard run into Dallas territory that gave him 167 total yards on the day.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys' Jordan Lewis during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-Imagine Images)
The question now is: Will the Eagles, who have already clinched a playoff berth, allow Barkley to chase Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record (2,105) against his former counterpart? New York Giants At week 18?
It's perfectly normal for teams to rest their key players, but there's a lot of history at stake for Barkley, and this decision by head coach Nick Sirianni will be closely watched all week.
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Barkley already rushed for 176 yards earlier this season in his highly anticipated return to MetLife Stadium, a place he called home for the past six seasons before joining Philadelphia this offseason.
The choice to head south on I-95 has proven to be a smart choice for Barkley, who is one of the front-runners for Offensive Player of the Year due to his big rushing total that could make more history.
Barkley has 13 rushing touchdowns on the year plus two through the air to go along with 276 yards on 31 receptions.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is tackled by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-Imagine Images)
Barkley's previous career high in rushing yards was 1,312 in 2022, a year in which he helped lead the team to the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 campaign. He did so behind a subpar Giants offensive line.
But he has thrived behind the Eagles' front all season, and that was certainly necessary with Jalen Hurts out for this game against the Cowboys due to a concussion last week.
However, Barkley, despite all his efforts on Sunday, was not rewarded well. Instead, DeVonta Smith caught two passing touchdowns — one from starter Kenny Pickett and another from Tanner McKee, who filled in for Pickett after the injury — and AJ Brown added one himself.
Pickett was also pushed into the end zone in a dominant performance for the Eagles.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley walks out of the tunnel for a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. (Photos by Bill Streicher-Imagine)
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At 13-3, the Eagles are ready for another run in the Super Bowl, but there may be more history behind No. 26's stellar performance in 2024.
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