Saquon Barkley’s 2024 season with the Philadelphia Eagles has been nothing short of spectacular. The star running back has not only shattered franchise records but also put himself in the conversation for one of the greatest seasons in NFL history.
With just two games left, the big question is: Can Barkley break Eric Dickerson’s all-time single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards?
Saquon Barkley’s Incredible Numbers So Far
After 15 games, Barkley has racked up 1,838 rushing yards on 314 carries, averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per attempt. He has also tallied 12 rushing touchdowns and added 31 receptions for 276 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. He delivered his best season yet, averaging 122.5 rushing yards per game, surpassing 100 yards per game for the first time.
To put this in perspective, Barkley is just 162 yards away from joining the exclusive 2,000-yard club, which includes only eight players in NFL history. He needs 267 yards to surpass Dickerson’s 1984 record, a feat achieved by averaging 134 rushing yards in each of the remaining games.
First-Year Success in Philadelphia
Barkley’s debut season with the Eagles has already cemented him as one of the franchise’s all-time greats. In Week 15, he broke LeSean McCoy’s single-season franchise rushing record, a testament to his dominance and consistency throughout the season. His performance this year has put him in the same conversation as legends like Adrian Peterson and Barry Sanders.
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A Historic First Quarter Against Washington
In Week 16’s game against the Washington Commanders, Barkley showcased why he’s in the MVP conversation. He opened the game with a 68-yard touchdown run, part of a first quarter where he amassed 109 yards and two scores on just seven carries. That 68-yard run marked his fourth touchdown run of 60+ yards this season, tying the NFL record held by Adrian Peterson (2012) and Jim Brown (1963).
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However, Washington adjusted, and Barkley managed only 41 yards on 22 carries over the final three quarters, averaging just 1.9 yards per carry. The absence of quarterback Jalen Hurts, who exited with a concussion after 11 plays, significantly impacted the Eagles’ run game. Barkley acknowledged this postgame, stating, “The dynamic of Jalen definitely helps. A lot of things we do in our run game are designed with Jalen.”
The Road Ahead
The Eagles face two divisional matchups to close the season: the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. Both teams have struggled against the run, ranking 29th (Dallas) and 31st (New York) in rushing yards allowed per game. This bodes well for Barkley, who recorded 146 yards against the Giants earlier this season, though Dallas held him to 66 yards in their first meeting.
If Barkley maintains his current pace of 122.5 yards per game, he’ll finish with 2,083 yards, falling 22 yards shy of Dickerson’s record. He’ll need to elevate his performance to surpass Dickerson, averaging 134 yards per game over the final two weeks.
Eric Dickerson’s Take on the Record
Eric Dickerson, the Hall of Famer who set the 2,105-yard record in 1984, has mixed feelings about Barkley’s pursuit. “No, I don’t want my record broken,” Dickerson admitted. “If he breaks it, he breaks it, and I’m not gonna lose sleep over it. But when I broke that record, I didn’t have kids at the time, but I said, if anyone breaks it, I’d like my son to break it.”
What’s at Stake?
For Saquon Barkley, the rushing record is secondary to team success. “If I don’t get it, I’m not gonna be depressed,” Barkley said. “If I do get it, I’m not gonna be crazy happy. It’s a record. They’re meant to be broken.” With the Eagles still fighting for the NFC East title and home-field advantage, Barkley will be playing meaningful football in the season’s final stretch.
While breaking Dickerson’s record remains a tall order, Barkley has already achieved one of the greatest rushing seasons in NFL history. His 2024 campaign has been nothing short of remarkable, and whether or not he surpasses 2,105 yards, his name will be remembered among the all-time greats.
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