Saquon Barkley runs for 255 yards in the Eagles’ win over the Rams

LOS ANGELES — Saquon Barkley ran off the SoFi Stadium field Sunday night with two game balls under one arm and the other hand raised to the sky as Philadelphia Eagles fans showered him with chants of “MVP!”

If he keeps playing like this, he might just be the first running back since Adrian Peterson in 2012 to win the award.

Barkley had a career night in the Eagles’ 37-20 win over Los Angeles Ramsposting 302 scrimmage yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns, both of which went for 70 plus yards.

“He’s a different type of player,” the Rams rookie outside linebacker said Jared Verse. “I’ve never seen a running back like that.”

Barkley set the franchise record for most single-game rushing yards (255) and yards from scrimmage. It was the ninth most rushing yards in a game in NFL history and the most since 2009.

He became just the 12th player in NFL history with more than 300 scrimmage yards in a game.

“He’s got the home run ability, every time he touches the football, he catches the ball out of the backfield, can run over people. It’s a lot of fun to block for him, I can tell you that,” the Eagles right tackle said. Lane Johnson.

Added Rams coach Sean McVay: “He’s as good as there is as a slasher to be able to work edges and then be able to clear angles and be able to finish. And that’s why he had that production, he had, and that’s why he’s arguably had an MVP-type season so far.”

Before Sunday, Barkley had 60-1 odds to win the MVP. It shot up to +550 on Sunday evening, per ESPN BET, tied with Detroit Lions‘ Jared Goff for the third best odds to win the prize. Only Buffalo‘s Josh Allen (+135) and Baltimore‘s Lamar Jackson (+300) boasts better odds.

After his historic night, Barkley is up to a league-leading 1,649 scrimmage yards on the season. He is on pace for 2,151 rush yards, which would be an NFL record.

“To be honest, I’m not surprised,” Barkley said of the year he’s having. “I didn’t know I was going to be this successful. I keep thinking that God has blessed me a lot — a ton, to be honest — but I’m grateful to be here, I’m grateful for the fresh start.

“A big reason I wanted to come here, me and my family, my fiancé, had a conversation about, ‘Hey, I think this is a place where I can rewrite my story and feel like I can show everyone what type of player I feel I can be and was meant to be.'”

Barkley signed a three-year, $38 million free-agent contract with the Eagles after six seasons with New York Giants. The former no. 2 pick made a pair of Pro Bowls in New York, but has never played behind the caliber of offensive line or with as many playmakers as he has in Philadelphia. He has been quick to credit his teammates for playing a big role in his success.

As for MVP? Barkley said he won’t really start thinking about it until the end of the season.

“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.”