In six seasons with the New York Giants, Saquon Barkley suited up for two playoff games. This season, he's set new personal and franchise records. He's set to break another when the Philadelphia Eagles play in the NFC Championship Game.
Terrell Davis's all-season rushing record, one that includes regular AND postseason rushing totals is within reach. This is Barkley's first opportunity to play for a trip to the Super Bowl.
He has been the cornerstone of the Eagles' offense all season, and he was again spectacular last Sunday. He eclipsed 200 yards and scored two touchdowns against the Los Angeles Rams.
Our question is this. Can he replicate this stellar performance and carry his team and this city to the Super Bowl? Shannon Sharpe believes he can. He says Philly's best path to the big game is an obvious route.
Shannon Sharpe believes the Eagles need only ride Saquon Barkley to the Super Bowl.
Live on ESPN's highly popular First Take brand Shannon Sharpe shared his theory on Philly's Super Bowl chances, and here's the gist. Jalen Hurts isn't asked to do much. As long as the Eagles aren't forced into passing, they can lean on Saquon Barkley and the O-Line to control the game's pace.
Take a look.
We really like that last part. "Unless you take Saquon away and force Jalen Hurts to throw the ball 30-plus times, I don't see how you stop the Eagles".
It's hard to disagree with him.
Following the fireworks show we just witnessed from Barkley, it's hard to imagine he'd be stopped. He has been consistent. He plays behind one of the best offensive lines in the league and has taken loads of pressure off Hurts and the passing game.
That opened the playbook for Kellen Moore. In addition to a dominant rushing attack, Philly fields to elite receivers.
Coupled with a dominating run game, the Eagles have two elite receivers who can make big plays at any time. Opposing defenses must respect the threats that DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown pose. That creates a catch-22.
Teams can commit to trying to stop the run or respect the pass. The latter allows Barkley more wiggle room. Teams often choose the latter option as most defenses fear explosive plays.
Even though you may know what someone is trying to do, that doesn't mean you can stop them.
The Eagles were up by seven points with four minutes remaining in their game vs. the Rams. Everybody in the stadium knew they would try to run the clock out. That knowledge didn't do L.A. much good as Barkley found a hole and broke free for a 78-yard touchdown.
We were this close to seeing a similar breakaway run one week earlier in the Wild Card Round game vs. the Green Bay Packers. 26 broke free but elected to slide intentionally after gaining first-down yardage to allow his team to kneel and end the game.
It's no secret that the Eagles will lean on Barkley in the NFC Championship Game, but as Sharpe suggests, knowing that isn't enough. Can he be stopped is the question, and no opposing defense has cracked that code all season.
