Eric Dickerson set the all-time single-season record in 1984 with 2,105 yards in just 16 games. For 40 years, the record has stood intact with names like Derrick Henry coming close in recent seasons. However, in 2024, Saquon Barkley had a genuine chance to achieve the historic feat.
That was until he was ruled out for Week 18 by Nick Sirianni, who decided to rest some of his key starters in the final week of the regular season. But with such a historic milestone in sight, what was the rationale?
How History Eluded Saquon Barkley
While he did get one extra game on the year, with his average per carry, Barkley was roughly 34 carries short of what it took Dickerson to set the record 40 years ago. On the season, Barkley exceeded 30 carries in just two encounters. However, it was likely that the 101 yards necessary would have been a decent bet for a man averaging 125 yards per game on the season.
But, Sirianni still prioritized rest in the final week of the year. After all, the Eagles suffered a major collapse last season before being eliminated in their first playoff game. So, to avoid a similar fate when they take on either the Washington Commanders or the Green Bay Packers, Sirianni had a plan in mind.
“It’s very valuable to be in this position to do that. Obviously, it’s a very special record that’s been standing for a very long time by a great player. It’s a team record that everyone’s involved in. You weigh all of those things. But at the end of the day, you just try to do what’s best for the team.”
However, rather than the decision for Week 18, Sirianni had some regrets about the season, in hindsight. On four separate occasions, Barkley sat out entire quarters as the Eagles blew out their competition. In those instances, a few extra yards may have been good enough to get the record already.
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“You look back at that, and you really go through those things, and you say, ‘This is the best thing you can do for those guys at the time to make sure that they’re healthy. We were able to have a quarter off (against Dallas on Nov. 10) before we played Washington on a Thursday (on Nov. 14).”
Before making the final call, he did consult the running back on the matter. “Coach asked me what I’d like to do, and we had that conversation. I wanted to do it. But once I found out that we’re not, it kind of made it easier for me because it’s not my decision; it’s coach’s decision. And I’m glad that I didn’t have to make that decision because if you go out there for selfish reasons and something negative happens ….”
With the physical nature of the sport, especially in a demanding position like the running back, an injury is always right around the corner. Ahead of a postseason where they enter with Super Bowl aspirations, losing Barkley in a meaningless game would be the ultimate blow. And the RB agrees.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing is winning football games and winning the playoffs. I got a big goal in mind,” Barkley said.
Barkley’s Impact on Eagles’ Offense
PFN’s offense rankings combine statistics such as yards per play, points per drive, turnover percentage, success rate against the run and pass, third-down conversion rate, red-zone efficiency, pressure percentage when not blitzing, and various expected points added (EPA) measures against both the run and pass. These are then weighted accordingly to produce our rankings for each season.
The Eagles currently sit at 13th overall on the season with a C+ grade. The highlight machine that is Saquon Barkley has opened up offensive versatility that simply didn’t exist last season. The ninth 2,000-yard rusher in NFL history has led the top-ranked offense by EPA per rush (0.08).
The Eagles can produce against anyone, but if the offensive line remains a liability when it comes to pass blocking, Philly could be in a precarious spot if it falls behind in a playoff game.
The Eagles are the worst team at preventing pressure when not blitzed, a flaw that could undo all the good it’s capable of doing. That said, with playmakers at every level, counting this offense out isn’t a wise move as long as Jalen Hurts recovers from his concussion before the Wild Card round.”