Saquon Barkley surpasses 2,000 yards passing mark as Eagles clinch NFC East

PHILADELPHIA – Eagles running back Saquon Barkley on Sunday became just the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.

The success came in the fourth quarter with a 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, which secured the Eagles the NFC East Division title.

“Being a fan of the game and the running back position, reaching a milestone and putting myself up there with eight other backs that I respect and some that I grew up watching definitely means a lot,” said Barkley, in attracting an NFC East championship, became champions for the first time in his career. “But at the same time, I wouldn’t be able to do this without this team. You can’t be great without the greatness of others.”

The coaching staff kept Barkley in the game in the fourth quarter even though Philadelphia had a large lead. He was passed the ball on five straight plays, the last of which was a 23-yard dash down the left side that took him over 2,000 yards.

Barkley trotted to the sideline and received a pat on the head from lineman Mekhi Becton and a hug from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Coach Nick Sirianni then called a timeout and allowed the other teammates to gather around Barkley and congratulate him as fans chanted “MVP.”

“It is a testament to him that he goes to another team in his first year with great expectations. “He’s really a super talented football player, a great teammate,” said right tackle Lane Johnson. “I was happy for him.”

Barkley was replaced in the lineup by Kenneth Gainwell after he surpassed the 2,000-yard mark. Barkley finished the game with 167 yards on 31 carries. He is now just 101 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record (2,105 yards).

Now the question becomes: With the division locked up and the chances of capturing the No. 1 seed in the NFC slim, will they have a chance to chase Dickerson in the regular season finale against the New York Giants?

Sirianni must weigh whether to give Barkley a chance to capture the rarest of records or ensure his health before the postseason.

“I always have to do the right thing so that the football team can achieve our goals,” Sirianni said. “I have a lot to think about.”

Johnson felt the group had met its goal of surpassing the 2,000-yard mark and suggested the starters take a break in Week 18 because it’s “better to be safe than sorry.” to give leniency.”

Left tackle Jordan Mailata, meanwhile, said he will “push” for the starters to play against New York even if the game has no significance in terms of playoff seeding, although he didn’t sound sure Sirianni would buy into that would.

“It’s an opportunity to make history,” Mailata said. “We never really talked about the Giants next week, but we just felt like if we didn’t try today we might sit out. We don’t know. The coach hasn’t really said anything yet. We’ll see.

Barkley said he agreed with Sirianni’s decision.

“Whatever his decision is, I’m all for it,” Barkley said. “If he thinks like that, we’ll go out and try it, I’ll go out and try it. If he thinks like that, let’s rest and prepare for this run, I’m all for that too.” . I came here to break something special, but I want a banner up there.

With the victory, the Eagles completed their first regular season win over the Cowboys since 2011. This is the 20th consecutive season in which the NFC East has not had a repeat winner, marking the longest streak in NFL history.

Philadelphia accomplished the feat while having its No. 2 and No. 3 quarterbacks at the helm.

Kenny Pickett took over the starting job for Jalen Hurts, who suffered a concussion last week against the Washington Commanders. Pickett, a New Jersey native who grew up cheering on the Eagles, had a strong performance (10 of 15, 143 yards, 2 total touchdowns) but suffered from injured ribs and had to leave the game after a few hard hits during the season Opening series of the second half.

“I’m doing well. I’m fine,” Pickett said. “I came back with a minor injury. We’ll do a few more tests to see what it looks like, but I’m fine.”

Tanner McKee, the 2023 Stanford sixth-round pick, received the bulk of first-team reps Friday, allowing Pickett to rest, Johnson said. McKee made the most of his opportunity, going 3 of 4 for 54 yards and two touchdown throws.

The Eagles (13-3) achieved 13 wins for the fourth time in franchise history. They reached the Super Bowl the other three times (2004, 2017, 2022).

There is still one game left before the playoffs. Should Barkley sit out this game against his former team, it would be perfectly fine with Dickerson, who has made it clear to the Los Angeles Times that he doesn’t want Barkley to break his long-standing record.

“If you had a record, would you want me to break your record?” Barkley said when asked to respond to Dickerson’s comments. “It’s an honor to have your name attached to this record and for the boys to chase it. The boys have been chasing this record for 40 years. I don’t see it as an attempt, I don’t see it as casting a shadow.” . You shouldn’t want me to break this record.