This isn’t a type of seasons the place a quarterback wills his workforce to a Tremendous Bowl title.
Oh no, it will come right down to the presence of a star participant at a place normal managers and expertise evaluators have determined to downsize.
Operating again Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles are simply two victories away from being champions.
And Barkley is the explanation why Philadelphia can be taking the Lombardi Trophy dwelling from New Orleans.
What a distinction it has made for the Eagles to have Barkley on the roster after he joined them as a free agent in March.
In fact, Barkley received to go away the New York Giants after seven seasons, in order that’s undoubtedly a step up in groups and organizations.
All Barkley has finished is put up probably the greatest operating again seasons in NFL historical past by dashing for two,005 yards and 13 touchdowns in 16 common season video games. He’s the ninth participant in NFL historical past to high 2,000 dashing yards.
He has continued to run wild within the postseason with 119 yards towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers and 205 yards and two scores towards the Los Angeles Rams. He has a 6.4 common within the playoffs.
That’s 2,329 dashing yards general. Barry Sanders would possibly even blush a bit bit at that output. (We all know Eric Dickerson will not).
It actually helps that the Eagles have one of many high offensive strains within the NFL. , who wants Jason Kelce anyway?
Cam Jurgens changed Kelce at middle and is one among three Philadelphia offensive linemen who had been named to the Professional Bowl. The others are guard Landon Dickerson and deal with Lane Johnson—the latter will draw main consideration for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame sometime.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts handed for 18 touchdowns and rushed for 14 scores within the common season. Barkley’s productiveness has taken strain off Hurts, and that may pay big dividends over the remainder of the playoffs.
The Eagles gained their first two playoff video games with Hurts passing for simply 131 and 128 yards whereas finishing 28 of 41 general.
Let’s not overlook that Hurts was the very best participant on the sphere when the Eagles misplaced 38-35 to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the Tremendous Bowl following the 2022 season. He was 27 of 38 for 304 yards and one landing and rushed for 70 yards, three landing and a two-point conversion.
With Barkley on his aspect, Hurts can sit up for getting that ring finger sized.
Philadelphia can even play a bit on the defensive aspect of the ball. C.J. Gardner-Johnson has excelled with six interceptions, and fellow security Reed Blankenship has 4.
How about linebacker Zack Baun? He was a powerful particular groups participant and a reserve on protection for many of his 4 seasons with the New Orleans Saints earlier than becoming a member of the Eagles as a free agent in March.
Abruptly, he’s a Professional Bowler who racked up 151 tackles and appears to be in every single place on the sphere. Speak about unleashing a man’s potential.
On the defensive position, deal with Jalen Carter is simply scratching his huge potential, and he is additionally headed to the Professional Bowl. He dictates sport plans as opponents know operating in his route is not prone to acquire a lot constructive yards.
The Eagles need to get previous the feel-good Washington Commanders first earlier than they will severely dissect their Tremendous Bowl probabilities.
The groups break up their two common season conferences, with Barkley dashing for 146 yards in a 26-18 dwelling victory on Nov. 14 and gaining 150 throughout a 36-33 street loss on Dec. 22.
Precisely how do the Commanders count on to cease Barkley on Sunday? They ranked thirtieth in dashing protection at 137.5 yards per sport within the common season. Even once they upset the Detroit Lions final weekend, Washington gave up 201 dashing yards.
The scene is about. Barkley figures to have a extremely productive sport towards the Commanders after which prepare for one final sport in his magical season.
While you break it down, it is clear he’ll lead the Eagles to the Tremendous Bowl crown.