Philadelphia Eagles star running back Sauquon Barkley had an incredible 2024 season that has continued well into the postseason and even his ostensible opponents have to give it up for him.
At least that’s what Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is doing. The LB just posted on X, “Dawg saquon is is best player in the NFL!”
Dawg saquon is is best player in the NFL!
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) January 26, 2025
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Barkley’s 2024 season was nothing short of historic. He rushed for 2,005 yards during the regular season and added 324 more in the playoffs, bringing his total to 2,329 yards.
This makes him just the third player in NFL history to surpass 2,200 yards in a single season, including the postseason, joining Terrell Davis (1997, 1999) and Eric Dickerson (1984).
Throughout the year, Barkley’s consistency stood out. In 18 games, including playoffs, he was held under 100 rushing yards only five times.
He also had as many 150-plus yard games as he did games with fewer than 100 yards. His lowest rushing output came in Week 6 when the Cleveland defense limited him to just 47 yards on 18 carries.
Barkley was the driving force behind the Eagles’ potent ground game, which led the league in rushing EPA and finished with 2,384 rushing yards. Of those, Barkley contributed 2,005, making him the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.
More than 40% of his total yards came on explosive runs, and he was one of only three backs (along with Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs) to top 200 carries while also surpassing 36% on explosive rushes.
What truly set Barkley apart, however, was his ability to change the game with massive runs, especially in critical moments. In the divisional round of the playoffs, his 78-yard rush in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach.
This wasn’t an isolated performance; it was part of a season filled with game-breaking runs that showcased his ability to seize control of a game when it mattered most.
In his first year with the Eagles, Barkley not only set a franchise record with 2,005 rushing yards but also positioned himself as one of the all-time greats.
He is closing in on Terrell Davis’ record for the most rushing yards in a single season, including playoffs, which stands at 2,476 yards. After two playoff games, Barkley’s rushing total is now 2,329 yards, putting him just a few games away from history.
Barkley’s standout playoff performance included setting an Eagles record with 205 rushing yards in a snowy divisional-round win over the Rams. Earlier in the regular season, he also set the franchise’s single-game rushing record with 255 yards against the Rams.
Barkley’s remarkable 2024 campaign earned him numerous accolades. He was named an AP All-Pro, an NFLPA All-Pro, and made his third Pro Bowl.
He is also a finalist for the AP MVP award, joining quarterbacks Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, and Lamar Jackson. Along with Burrow and Jackson, Barkley is also a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year, alongside wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and running back Derrick Henry.
But perhaps the greatest honor of all is the respect of one’s peers. Or at least of Micah Parsons.
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