The New York Giants will wrap up the 2024 regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field this coming Sunday.
Although the Eagles have clinched the NFC East title, there is at least one individual milestone left to achieve.
Saquon Barkley became just the ninth running back in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 yards rushing in Week 17 and just needs 100 yards to tie the all-time single-season record held by Eric Dickerson (2,105). With 101 rushing yards, Barkley would own the record outright.
Perhaps fittingly, he can achieve that record against his former team, who selected Barkley second overall in the 2018 NFL draft.
But is the reward worth the risk? The Eagles have no reason to play their starters and outside of Barkley’s record, they only stand to lose by chancing it.
“The way I look at it, if it’s in God’s plan, then it is. I’m not overly trying to go get it,” Barkley told reporters on Sunday. “I’m not scared of it. I would love to, but at the end of the day, also, we’ve got bigger things that we’re focusing on, and we’re able to clinch the division right here, whether we play next week or not.
“Rest, I’m fine with that too, because I didn’t come here and sign here just to rush for 2,000 or break a record. I want to do something special, meaning special with the team.”
Although he wouldn’t admit it, Barkley would love to set the all-time rushing record against the team that deemed him unworthy of a big-money contract.
Still, he recognizes the potential for even greater things this year.
“I came here to do something special, and obviously breaking the record is special. But I want a banner up there. I think we all do,” Barkley said.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni will likely be inclined to give Barkley the chance to embarrass his former team but the running back may opt to show them mercy as he did back in Week 7.
Giants co-owner John Mara would undoubtedly prefer he did as Barkley’s success in Philly is already one of his worst nightmares.
