Running back Saquon Barkley put together a historic performance in primetime Sunday.
Anything that can be said about the Eagles’ 37-20 victory in Los Angeles on Sunday night has to begin and end with star running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley put on an absolute clinic against the Rams, running for a career and franchise-best 255 yards on 26 carries with 2 touchdowns while adding an additional 47 yards on 4 receptions. His 70-yard scamper in the 4th quarter iced the game and was a beauty to watch.
What Barkley did on Sunday night was downright historical, and the run he is on over this last two-game stretch is the most yards by a player since hall-of-famer Walter Payton did it way back in 1977. If he keeps this pace up he will break not only the single-season rushing record but also the single-season total yardage record. This is just an unreal season from number 26, and he has a realistic shot of being the first non-QB league MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012.
With Saquon cooking, quarterback Jalen Hurts didn’t need to do much to lead his team to victory. Hurts was efficient Sunday night, completing 15 of his 22 passing attempts for 179 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 turnovers. He completed 6 of those passes for 109 yards to star wide receiver AJ Brown whose awesome night was almost lost in how well Barkley played.
The Eagles defense was great again on Sunday night, and after being a major weakness during last season’s meltdown, has become the strength of this team. If it weren’t for some questionable pass interference calls by the referees this game could have easily been even more of a blowout.
The Eagles’ defense, on the road against a good Rams team with a lethal passing attack built around stud wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, gave up just 290 yards. They also didn’t allow the Rams to convert on a single 3rd down which has been a huge part of this defense’s success during this 7-game winning streak.
In what was a night of mostly good news the Eagles were dealt a brutal injury blow. Eagles legend Brandon Graham, in what now might be his last game ever, tore his triceps during the game and announced after the game he was done for the season. The 35-year-old BG had indicated that this could be the last season of his career, and if this was the final game of his career he went out on top.
The Eagles are on the road again next Sunday for a showdown against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite being the hottest team in the NFL, the Eagles have opened up as 2.5-point underdogs at most sportsbooks.
