Saquon Barkley is on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s NFL rushing record

On By Littum

Saquon Barkley hit a slight hiccup in Week 15 as the Eagles star running back rushed for just 65 yards on 19 carries. Barkley, who still leads the NFL with 1,688 yards, took a low hit from Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and missed most of the second quarter. Barkley said his right knee was fine and not injured after Fitzpatrick’s hit.

Barkley will break LeSean McCoy’s single-season rushing record (1,607) set in 2013 for Philadelphia and is on pace for a 2,000-yard rushing season ahead of a deep playoff run.

Eric Dickerson made NFL history with the Rams in 1984, and despite a handful of 2,000-yard rushing seasons in the four decades that followed, that record still stands.

We’ll follow Barkley’s status heading into a Week 16 game against Washington and the history of 2,000-yard rushers.

September 23, 1984; Cincinnati, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson (29) in action against the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Eight players have rushed for 2,000 yards in a season, but only Dickerson hit the 2,100 yard mark with 2,105 yards in 1984.

Sep, 1984; Unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson (29) in action during the 1984 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Player Yards Team Season
Eric Dickerson – 2,105 – Rams 1984
Adrian Peterson –2,097 – Vikings – 2012
Jamal Lewis –2,066 – Ravens –2003
Barry Sanders –2,053 –Lions –1997
Derrick Henry -2,027 -Titans -2020
Terrell Davis -2,008 -Broncos -1998
Chris Johnson -2,006 -Titans -2009
OJ Simpson -2,003 -Bills -1973
Earl Campbell -1,934 -Oilers -1980
Ahman Green -1,883 -Packers -2003
Barry Sanders -1,883 -Lions -1994
Shaun Alexander -1,880 -Seahawks -2005

Barkley has 1,688 yards rushing this season, averaging 112.5 yards per carry. game – Barkley is on pace for about 1,913 rushing yards for the season.

Barkley has already topped his career-high 1,312 rushing yards earned in 2022 with the Giants. He also tied his career mark of 11 touchdowns, which he set during his rookie year in 2018.

To break Dickerson’s record, Barkley must average 139 rushing yards per game. match. To reach 2,000 yards rushing, Barkley needs to average 104 rushing yards.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

A team with Super Bowl aspirations has experience managing players’ workloads down the stretch without costing the team its advantage. If Philadelphia wins the NFC East or No. 2 seed before Week 18 with no shot at the Lions, would head coach Nick Sirianni risk a potential injury to his All-World running back? If no. 1 seed remains in play, however, Barkley could sustain a heavy workload given the importance of getting a first-round bye.

The three teams remaining on the Eagles schedule could force eight-man boxes, hoping to play spoiler to Barkley’s pursuit of history.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Week 16 Dec. 22 at Commanders 24th-ranked run defense
Week 17. December 29 vs. Cowboys 29th ranked run defense
Week 18. 5 January vs. Giants 31st ranked run defense