Tim McManus
Ben Solak
Ben Solak
ESPN
Ben Solak joined ESPN in 2024 as a nationwide NFL analyst. He beforehand lined the NFL at The Ringer, Bleeding Inexperienced Nation and The Draft Community.
Philadelphia Eagles working again Saquon Barkley totaled 124 dashing yards within the group’s Week 14 win in opposition to the Panthers, placing him at 1,623 yards by 13 video games. Which means he’s on tempo to interrupt the single-season dashing file of two,105 yards set by Eric Dickerson in 1984.
Dickerson’s file has stood for 4 many years, and solely eight gamers have even hit 2,000 yards in dashing. May Barkley surpass the two,105-yard mark? After averaging 124.8 dashing yards per sport over the primary 13 contests, he must common 120.8 the remainder of the best way to do it. And bear in mind, Barkley has the advantage of an additional sport; Dickerson set his file in a 16-game season.
The Eagles have relied closely on his dashing skill this season after signing him in free company. Offensive linemen Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson and Jordan Mailata helped spark a extra run-oriented offense with a go to to educate Nick Sirianni’s workplace throughout the Week 5 bye. Philadelphia leads the NFL with 473 rush makes an attempt, which has helped Barkley put up big numbers.
Will the dashing file lastly fall? With Barkley at present on tempo for two,124 yards, we’re monitoring his momentous season as he runs and hurdles his approach towards Dickerson’s long-standing mark. Eagles reporter Tim McManus is sizing up the place issues stand and NFL analyst Ben Solak seems to be at what lies forward over the ultimate 4 video games.
Barkley’s efficiency: Barkley set a brand new franchise file for single-season dashing yards. He entered needing 109 yards to maneuver previous LeSean McCoy, who rushed for 1,607 yards in 2013, and Barkley moved into first place halfway by the fourth quarter with a 9-yard acquire. Chants of “MVP!” broke out as his achievement was introduced within the stadium. Barkley completed with 124 dashing yards on 20 carries. — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 28 occasions for 191 yards in his thirteenth sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 1,643 on the season. Barkley is at 1,623 after 13 video games, 20 yards behind Dickerson. However as soon as factoring within the additional sport from the 17-game season, Barkley continues to be on tempo to interrupt Dickerson’s file.
Barkley’s efficiency: Barkley rushed 23 occasions for 107 yards, and he continues to play the function of nearer. He had 44 rush yards by the primary three quarters, then erupted for 63 yards — together with a 25-yard landing scamper — within the fourth to assist ice the sport. He has the second-most dashing yards within the fourth quarter by 12 video games within the play-by-play period (since 1978), trailing solely Edgerrin James in 2000. — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 25 occasions for 132 yards in his twelfth sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 1,452 on the season. Barkley is at 1,499 after 12 video games, 47 yards forward of Dickerson. Which means Barkley continues to be on tempo to interrupt Dickerson’s file, factoring within the additional sport from the 17-game season.
Barkley’s efficiency: Barkley set each private and franchise highs with 255 dashing yards and 302 yards from scrimmage. Each of his dashing touchdowns went for 70-plus yards. “You are already one of the best working again on the earth,” receiver A.J. Brown advised him on the sideline. “I believe you are one of the best participant on the earth.” — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 28 occasions for 149 yards in his eleventh sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 1,320 on the season. Barkley was at 1,392 after 11 video games, 72 yards forward of Dickerson. And for the primary time all season, Barkley was on tempo to interrupt Dickerson’s file, factoring within the additional sport from the 17-game season.
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Barkley’s efficiency: Barkley went for 198 all-purpose yards and a pair of touchdowns in a battle for first place within the division. His 26-carry, 146-yard effort on the bottom was the sixth time he hit the 100-yard dashing mark this season. — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 21 occasions for 208 yards in his tenth sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 1,171 on the season. Barkley was at 1,137 after 10 video games, 34 yards behind Dickerson.
Barkley’s efficiency: Barkley posted 66 yards on 14 carries. Although not his most lively sport, he supplied one of many high highlights of the 12 months within the first quarter when he turned on the jets following a brief reception alongside the left facet, blowing previous a pair of Cowboys defenders who collided with each other. — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 13 occasions for 38 yards in his ninth sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 963 on the season. Barkley was at 991 after 9 video games, 28 yards forward of Dickerson.
Barkley’s efficiency: The reverse hurdle sport! Barkley left his teammates astonished within the second quarter when he leaped backwards over cornerback Jarrian Jones for one of the spectacular 14-yard positive aspects in league historical past. “It was one of the best play I’ve ever seen,” stated Sirianni. Barkley had 159 yards and a TD on 27 carries, and he added 40 yards and a rating by the air. He had six runs of 10 or extra yards. — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 24 occasions for 145 yards in his eighth sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 925 on the season. Barkley was additionally at 925 after eight video games — tied with Dickerson.
Barkley’s efficiency: Barkley’s finest work got here within the closing body, as he rushed for 57 yards on seven carries within the game-sealing 12-play drive, highlighted by a 17-yard run through which he tip-toed down the sideline and leapt over a photographer close to the purpose line. He completed with 22 carries for 108 yards. — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 20 occasions for 175 yards in his seventh sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 780 on the season. Barkley was at 766 after seven video games, 14 yards behind Dickerson.
Barkley’s efficiency: Barkley went off for 176 yards and a landing on 17 carries in his return to MetLife Stadium. He was in place to interrupt his single-game dashing file (189 yards on the time) however turned down the chance so the remainder of the working backs may get work late in a lopsided sport, telling Sirianni he’d moderately “let the younger guys eat.” — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 19 occasions for 107 yards in his sixth sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 605 on the season. Barkley was at 658 after six video games, 53 yards forward of Dickerson.
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Barkley’s efficiency: This was one in all Barkley’s worst statistical performances of the season (18 carries, 47 yards). He averaged simply 2.6 yards per carry, however the offense’s new-found dedication to the dashing assault held agency all through the competition. — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 22 occasions for 120 yards in his fifth sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 498 on the season. Barkley was at 482 after 5 video games, 16 yards behind Dickerson.
Barkley’s efficiency: This was a turning level within the season. Barkley hardly touched the ball early because the Bucs climbed out to a 24-0 lead and completed with simply 10 carries, which he nonetheless changed into 84 yards. Due to a nudge from the offensive line, Sirianni dedicated to the bottom sport from this level ahead, sparking a protracted successful streak. — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 22 occasions for 89 yards in his fourth sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 378 on the season. Barkley was at 435 after 4 video games, 57 yards forward of Dickerson.
Barkley’s efficiency: Barkley ended with 147 yards and two touchdowns on the bottom regardless of getting simply 17 carries (8.6 common). His 65-yard landing run early within the fourth quarter lastly put Philadelphia on the board and served because the catalyst for its slim win. — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 23 occasions for 49 yards in his third sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 289 on the season. Barkley was at 351 after three video games, 62 yards forward of Dickerson.
Barkley’s efficiency: Barkley carried the ball 22 occasions for 95 yards. His drop close to the purpose line on third down late within the sport pressured the Eagles to accept a discipline purpose, serving to Atlanta to sneak out the win. — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 27 occasions for 102 yards in his second sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 240 on the season. Barkley was at 204 after two video games, 36 yards behind Dickerson.
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Barkley’s efficiency: Barkley made the sort of immediate affect the group hoped for when signing him to a three-year, $38 million free agent contract, dashing for 109 yards and a pair of touchdowns and including one other rating by the air. He has since known as these TDs in Sao Paulo, Brazil, among the favourite of his profession. “I am the primary particular person to ever rating in South America,” Barkley stated. “That is cool.” — McManus
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 21 occasions for 138 yards in Week 1 of the 1984 season, that means Barkley trailed Dickerson by 29 yards (earlier than factoring in Barkley’s additional sport within the present 17-game season).
Remaining video games
How the matchup initiatives for Barkley: The Steelers have allowed only one again to clear 100 yards in opposition to all of them season (Tyrone Tracy Jr. of the Giants), and as a basic rule of thumb, the Steelers are nice at taking away opponents’ best strengths. For the Eagles, that is handing the ball off to Barkley. The Eagles are additionally typically at an enormous benefit within the trenches, however in opposition to the Steelers’ line of defense, it is extra of a slight edge. We must always nonetheless anticipate Barkley to get his, however this may not be the sport for a brand new scrimmage file. — Solak
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 33 occasions for 149 yards in his 14th sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 1,792 on the season. To interrupt the file, Barkley must common 120.8 yards over the ultimate 4 video games, and he’d keep on tempo if he has at the least 112 in Week 15.
How the matchup initiatives for Barkley: Barkley already put 146 yards on the Commanders’ protection in November, capping off a crucial divisional win for the Eagles with landing runs of 23 and 39 yards. From Week 7 — when defensive sort out Jonathan Allen went down with an damage — by Week 12, the Commanders’ run protection was the third-worst by success price. This must be a Barkley sport for positive. — Solak
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 27 occasions for 215 yards (season excessive) in his fifteenth sport of the 1984 season, placing him at 2,007 on the season.
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How the matchup initiatives for Barkley: One among Barkley’s worst video games of the season got here in opposition to the Cowboys in Week 10, as he rushed for simply 66 yards in opposition to one of many league’s worst run defenses. The Eagles simply did not want him in any respect; they have been getting quick fields from the protection and have been effortlessly profitable by the air. In a sport with some longer fields and never as huge of a second-half deficit, Barkley ought to shine. And as that is the Week 17 sport, it is perhaps Barkley’s final look of the common season, relying on the Eagles’ incentives to play in Week 18. — Solak
The Dickerson comparability: Dickerson rushed 26 occasions for 98 yards in his sixteenth and closing sport of the 1984 common season, placing him at 2,105.
How the matchup initiatives for Barkley: If Barkley does play in Week 18, he’ll get a group probably nonetheless quasi-tanking for the primary total choose and probably absent star nostril sort out Dexter Lawrence II (elbow). However Barkley might want to have an enormous first half; even when the Eagles have one thing to play for, they’d seemingly have a fast hook on Barkley, who’s integral to their postseason plans. On the season, with Lawrence on the sector, the Giants quit extra explosive runs than every other protection within the NFL. With Lawrence off the sector, the probabilities are limitless. — Solak
