EAST RUTHERFORD – Saquon Barkley has been seen as the centerpiece of the New York Giants’ offense throughout his six years with the team, often the sole significant threat to opposing defenses. However, in a surprising turn of events, Barkley donned the green of the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, further complicating the Giants’ struggles.
In a lopsided match that ended with a 28-3 defeat for the Giants, Barkley excelled during his return to MetLife Stadium. The Giants’ offense, led by quarterback Daniel Jones, struggled to find its rhythm, even with the return of Malik Nabers, consistently failing to capitalize throughout the game.
Jones appeared reluctant to throw passes, a likely consequence of the offensive line’s dismal performance in its first game of the season without star left tackle Andrew Thomas, who is out for the year due to a Lisfranc injury sustained last week. Josh Ezeudu took over for Thomas, marking the first lineup change seven weeks into the season. Unfortunately, he allowed one of the Eagles’ eight sacks during the opening series.
This game had significant emotional stakes, especially for the Giants, who were reminded of Barkley’s departure after he signed with the Eagles as a free agent. The rivalry was reignited, with Barkley last participating in this matchup during the Giants’ victory over Philadelphia in January. Giants co-owner John Mara had openly expressed his concerns about Barkley signing with the Eagles, indicating the emotional weight of this reunion.
Barkley faced a chorus of boos from the Giants fans every time he touched the ball. By the time he exited the game late in the third quarter, he had made a resounding statement with 176 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, including impressive runs of 55 and 38 yards.
The Giants (2-5) brought in Drew Lock to finish the game after Jones struggled to an outing of 14 completions on 21 attempts for just 99 yards. This performance raises speculation about possible changes at quarterback for their upcoming game against the Steelers.
Overall, the Giants’ offense has been stagnating, with only 10 touchdowns over the season, ranking among the lowest in the NFL. They are managing an average of just 14.14 points per game, while coach Brian Daboll has been responsible for calling the plays.
The Giants have yet to secure a win at home this season, scoring only one touchdown at MetLife Stadium. Their fourth-quarter performance against the Eagles was lackluster, revealing issues commonly associated with teams in decline, such as low effort levels and a lack of enthusiasm.
With prominent players like Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns dealing with injuries, and key players like Thomas and Kayvon Thibodeaux out, the Giants are at a crucial juncture this season. Meanwhile, Barkley showcased the talent that once had the Giants excited when they drafted him second overall, leaving a lasting impression on his return.
In summary, the game highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the Giants and their former star running back, setting the stage for an uncertain path ahead for the team.