MVP candidate Saquon Barkley ‘not surprised’ to set record with Philly

On By Littum

Sunday night’s 255-yard rushing performance set a Philly franchise record in a single game. It was the ninth most rushing yards in a game in league history.

For the season, the new Eagle has generated 1,392 rushing yards through 11 games, putting him on pace for 2,151 rushing yards, which would blow past the famed 2,000-yard barrier and Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105.

Barkley’s superlatives after Sunday’s blast are extensive.

“Saquon has that ability to hit home runs and sometimes that’s how it goes,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “You get a short gain, short gain, short gain — boom, home run. Saquon is that type of player, and our offensive line did a good job of handling the variations up front.”

Barkley signed a three-year, $38 million contract in Philly after six seasons with the New York Giants. He has always been one of the most dynamic backs in the league, but behind a dominant offensive line for the first time in his career, the back is soaring.

“To be honest, I’m not surprised,” Barkley said. “I didn’t know I was going to be this successful, (but) I’m grateful to be here. I’m grateful for the fresh start. A big reason I wanted to come here (is) I felt , that this is a place where I could rewrite my story and show everyone the type of player that I feel I can be and was meant to be, and it’s working right now.”

With Philly hot on the heels of the Detroit Lions for the no. 1 seed in the NFC, there’s no doubt that Barkley has pushed his name into the MVP discussion. It remains an uphill battle. No running back has won the award since Adrian Peterson’s 2,000-yard season in 2012, when 11 straight QBs took home the honor. If he keeps up the pace, voters may have to end the streak. Not that any of that matters to Barkley.

“I love being in that conversation,” he said. “That’s cool and all. But it’s a team sport. And if you told me I can have the year I’m having and win the MVP but not win the Super Bowl, or I can have the year I’m having and don’t win MVP or Offensive Player of the Year and win the Super Bowl, I’ll take that (second) one.”