It took seven years, however Philadelphia Eagles star working again Saquon Barkley is only one win away from enjoying within the Tremendous Bowl. When the Eagles host the Washington Commanders this weekend within the NFC Championship, it is going to be the farthest Barkley has ever superior within the playoffs, having beforehand solely made it to the Divisional Spherical.
All it took was for Barkley to be traded inside the convention from the New York Giants to the Eagles throughout the offseason to make this all occur. Now the league’s main rusher is on one of the stacked groups within the NFL. Whereas Barkley has actually been a star this season, the Eagles’ general expertise has additionally contributed to their success.
Barkley will now, for the primary time, hope to guide his staff to a convention title—one thing that by no means actually materialized throughout his time in New York. What that entails is Philadelphia going through a division rival not only for the third time this season, however in an try and beat them for a second time. The Eagles defeated the Commanders in Week 11 however misplaced in Week 16, ending their 10-game successful streak.
Since that loss, the Eagles have gained 4 straight. The query now’s: Can they and Barkley make it 5? Let’s dive into our Saquon Barkley daring predictions for the NFC Championship sport.
Saquon Barkley rushes for not less than 120 yards in opposition to Commanders
Whereas with the Giants in his two earlier playoff appearances, Barkley accrued 114 yards. He surpassed that whole within the Eagles’ NFC Wild Card Spherical in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers, dashing for 119 yards. He then outdid himself within the Divisional Spherical in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams, racking up a staggering 205 yards.
Barkley has been tearing up the sector with lengthy runs all season. If he manages to interrupt off one other landing run of 60 or extra yards within the NFC Championship, he’ll turn out to be the primary participant in NFL historical past to take action, in response to NBC Sports activities.
The way in which Barkley has been working within the playoffs alone makes it straightforward to imagine he’ll as soon as once more attain the 120-yard mark, and most like serving to his case breaking off one other future. It does not damage that the Commanders rank among the many NFL’s worst dashing defenses, tied for twenty ninth, permitting 137.1 yards per sport, and 151 yards within the playoffs.
Saquon Barkley rushes for not less than two landing in opposition to Commanders
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Talking of how unhealthy the Commanders’ dashing protection is, they’re considered one of solely 4 playoff groups to have allowed three dashing touchdowns within the postseason. They’re additionally the one staff nonetheless remaining. The Ravens, Lions, and Rams have all been eradicated.
Barkley himself scored two touchdowns simply final weekend in opposition to the Rams, although he went scoreless in opposition to the Packers within the Wild Card.
Even Nick Sirianni is sensible sufficient to acknowledge the obtrusive weak spot within the Commanders’ protection. In any case, the Eagles racked up over 439 yards—and extra importantly, 5 whole touchdowns—in opposition to Washington of their earlier two matchups this season. It will be no shock for them to duplicate that success. Barkley scored two touchdowns in every of these video games, and he’ll get the trifecta within the NFC Championship.
Saquon Barkley and Eagles transfer onto to Tremendous Bowl
This yr’s Eagles staff is just too proficient to not make the Tremendous Bowl. And on the heart of all of it is MVP candidate Saquon Barkley. Due to his performances this yr, the Eagles earned the No. 2 dashing offense within the NFL. Within the playoffs alone, they’re averaging 227 yards per sport.
It’s regarding not realizing how actually wholesome quarterback Jalen Hurts will likely be come sport time. That would positively trigger the offense to sputter. However then once more, there have been a number of instances this season when Barkley has carried the staff when Hurts wasn’t enjoying at his greatest.
On this rubber match between the 2 NFC East division foes, it is going to be the Eagles popping out on high and making their means again to the Tremendous Bowl. Barkley will as soon as once more show why he’s the most effective working again within the NFL this yr with a number of touchdowns and over 100 yards. He’ll simply be an excessive amount of for Jayden Daniels and the Commanders to beat.