Saquon Barkley's Big Season

Saquon Barkley's 2023 was a whirlwind. He rushed for 31 yards in the first half of the Super Bowl, enough to set the NFL season rushing record, including the playoffs. This broke the old mark of 2, 476 yards set by Terrell Davis back in 1998. Davis had a monster season, leading the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl and even winning MVP that same season. Barkley needed only 30 yards to break Davis’ record. He got that on the last play of the first half, a 2-yard run. Though he only had 12 carries for 31 yards, that was enough to cement his place in history. He wasn’t his usual explosive self, averaging only 2. 6 yards per carry, well below his 5. 8 average during the regular season. The Eagles were in a good spot, thanks to Jalen Hurts’ two total touchdowns and the defense’s two interceptions. The Eagles were up 24-0 at halftime. Barkley had plenty to celebrate, setting a record in his first Super Bowl and turning 28 on the same day. He had already made a big splash in his debut season with the Eagles, racking up 2, 005 yards in the regular season.

This first season with the Eagles sent Barkley into the record books. He had seven touchdown runs over 60 yards in the postseason, joining Davis as the only two players with over 400 yards and five touchdowns in a single postseason. The Eagles took a risk signing Barkley. They spent $26 million, with $20 million guaranteed. This was a big deal because the Eagles had never been big spenders on running backs before. Barkley proved them right with jaw-dropping plays that seemed like they were straight out of a video game. Remember that backward hurdle? Madden had to update its game to include that play. Barkley’s start with the Eagles was nothing short of fantastic. He started with a bang, racking up 2, 005 yards, an Eagles record. That put him eighth in NFL history. The Eagles had a chance to rest him in the regular-season finale. But no sitting out at the Super Bowl. And now, Barkley is the record holder for rushing yards in a single season. That is the truth.

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