Saquon Barkley Ties NFL Record But Struggles After Jalen Hurts Injury

Saquon Barkley started Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders like a man on a mission, racing to 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the first half. But after Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts left the game with a concussion midway through the first quarter, the dynamic shifted dramatically. Without Hurts, the Commanders’ defence zeroed in on Barkley, holding him to just 41 rushing yards over the final three quarters. Despite his efforts, the Eagles fell short in a narrow 36-33 loss at Landover, Maryland.

A Tale of Two Halves for Barkley

Barkley’s explosive start was nothing short of spectacular. On his first carry, he dashed for 19 yards, setting up an Eagles scoring drive that culminated in his 1-yard touchdown run. He followed that with a breathtaking 68-yard touchdown sprint in the second quarter, giving him his 10th 100-yard game of the season by halftime.

At the break, Barkley had already tallied 122 yards on the ground, putting him well on track to surpass his season averages. However, the departure of Hurts proved pivotal. With backup quarterback Kenny Pickett under centre, the Commanders loaded the box and focused their efforts on Barkley, limiting his opportunities to break free.

Record-Breaking Season in Jeopardy

Despite Sunday’s frustrating finish, Barkley has had a historic season. With 1,838 rushing yards after 15 games, he has already shattered the Eagles’ single-season rushing record, surpassing LeSean McCoy’s 1,607 yards in 2013. Barkley also holds the franchise mark for most 100-yard rushing games in a season, with 10.

During the game against Washington, Barkley reached a significant milestone, eclipsing 2,000 total yards from scrimmage. He became just the fourth Eagle to achieve the feat, joining the ranks of Wilbert Montgomery, Brian Westbrook, and McCoy.

However, Barkley’s eyes are set on an even loftier goal: breaking Eric Dickerson’s NFL record of 2,105 rushing yards in a season, set in 1984. To do so, Barkley needs to rack up 267 yards over the final two games. This would require him to exceed his current average of 122.5 rushing yards per game, demanding near-perfection from both Barkley and the Eagles’ offensive line.

A Dominant First Half

Barkley’s performance early on was nothing short of masterful. On just his second carry of the game, he slashed through the Commanders’ defense for a 13-yard gain, followed shortly after by a 4-yard run and a 1-yard touchdown plunge.

His highlight of the day came on a dazzling 68-yard touchdown run, showcasing his vision, speed, and explosiveness. The play tied him with NFL legends Jim Brown and Adrian Peterson for the most rushing touchdowns of 60 yards or more in a single season, with four.

The Turning Point

After halftime, the Commanders adjusted. With Pickett unable to replicate Hurts’ dual-threat capabilities, Washington focused entirely on stopping Barkley. The result? A mere 11 rushing yards in the third quarter and just 17 in the fourth.

Barkley finished the game with 150 rushing yards on 29 carries, a commendable performance but one that paled in comparison to his electric start.

The Eagles, now without Hurts for an undetermined amount of time, face an uphill battle in their remaining two games. Barkley will need to shoulder an even greater load if Philadelphia hopes to make a deep playoff push.

For Barkley, breaking Dickerson’s record remains possible but challenging. He’ll need back-to-back extraordinary performances, particularly against defences now fully aware of his capabilities.

Barkley himself acknowledged the difficulty postgame, saying:
“When you lose a guy like Jalen, it changes everything. But at the end of the day, it’s on us to execute. I’ll do whatever it takes to put this team in a position to win.”

As the season nears its conclusion, all eyes remain on Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ workhorse and NFL record-chasing star. Can he finish what has already been a remarkable season with an exclamation point? Time will tell.