Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles is making headlines as he chases the NFL single-season rushing record held by Eric Dickerson, set back in 1984.
Currently, Barkley leads the league with 1,688 rushing yards but is 417 yards shy of breaking Dickerson's all-time mark of 2,105 yards. This pursuit has added intensity to the final stretch of the 2024 season, particularly as the Eagles prepare for their games against the Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants, all of which have struggled against the run.
With just three games left in the season, Barkley understands the monumental task before him. He needs to average 139 yards per game to surpass Dickerson’s record. "I know a lot about Eric Dickerson. I know he has the record. He’s had it for 40 years. Obviously, I’ve heard the talk. I know the number," Barkley remarked, showing his awareness of both history and his goals.
After recording only 65 rushing yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, Barkley’s performance will be under close scrutiny. Nevertheless, he seems poised for success against the Commanders, who rank No. 25 against the run. Earlier this season, he racked up 146 yards against Washington, and he hopes to replicate this performance. The Commanders surrender about 132 rushing yards per game, creating optimism for Barkley to make significant gains.
Looking at the upcoming matchups, the Cowboys and Giants also feature defensively weak fronts. Dallas is allowing approximately 136 rushing yards per game, and New York is even worse, giving up over 143 yards. Barkley’s previous encounters with these teams bode well; he rushed for 176 yards against the Giants earlier this season and 146 yards against the Commanders.
Despite the excitement surrounding his individual pursuit, Barkley maintains a grounded perspective. "If I don’t get it, I'm not gonna be depressed. If I do get it, I’m not gonna be crazy happy. It’s a record. They’re meant to be broken," he stated, balancing personal ambition with team goals, including the hope for Super Bowl success.
This introspective approach contrasts with Dickerson's feelings about the record. The Hall of Famer shared his sentiments, stating bluntly, "No, I don’t want my record broken. Of course I don’t." Although Dickerson expressed some supportive sentiments for Barkley, he remains attached to the legacy of his achievement.
With three games remaining in the 17-game schedule, Barkley now requires just 306 rushing yards to claim the record. He needs to average 122.4 yards over the remaining time to achieve this milestone, which seems attainable based on his season average of 120.6 yards per game.
Looking at the overall picture, not only is Barkley on the verge of making history himself, but he is also set to potentially achieve the NFL’s all-purpose yard record. While he stands at 1,964 total scrimmage yards right now, he keeps his eye on Chris Johnson’s record of 2,509 yards from 2009.
Overall, Barkley’s remarkable season speaks for itself, as he has established the best rushing statistics for the Eagles, surpassing LeSean McCoy’s franchise record earlier this month. His place among great Eagles running backs has already been cemented, but with Dickerson’s record looming, Barkley now stands on the precipice of something even greater.
With the next weeks poised to be monumental, fans and sports analysts are eagerly watching to see whether Barkley can seize this opportunity and etch his name alongside one of NFL's most prestigious records. Regardless of the outcome, Barkley’s performance will likely be remembered as one of the most exceptional seasons to date.
