The schedules for fans and players often differ, particularly when it comes to viewing games. Fans frequently stay up late to catch the exciting conclusion of a match, while players may struggle to stay awake, exhausted from their game or practice and understanding the need to rise early for training.
Devin Singletary has made a good impression with the New York Giants in the first few weeks of the season. In Week 2, Singletary and the Giants faced the Commanders in Landover, Maryland, ultimately losing 21-18. The short trip home meant the players could return to the comfort of their own beds and get some rest.
The following night, Singletary planned to watch the “Monday Night Football” game between the Eagles and Falcons. However, his plan did not go as he had hoped. “I watched most of it but I fell asleep,” Singletary admitted. He woke up around 1 a.m. and discovered what he missed, including a critical missed catch by teammate Saquon Barkley, which occurred late in the game. If Barkley had successfully caught a routine pass with just under two minutes left, the Eagles would have likely secured a victory.
Instead, the Eagles settled for a field goal and a 21-15 lead. The Falcons, driving without any timeouts, managed to score a touchdown in the final seconds, stunning Eagles fans and winning the game, 22-21.
Singletary, who joined the Giants shortly after Barkley signed with the Eagles, expressed understanding over Barkley’s missed catch. Despite the tough moment for Barkley, Singletary acknowledged that mistakes happen in football, emphasizing Barkley’s overall skill. “He usually makes that play,” Singletary said, noting the increased scrutiny that comes with high-stakes moments.
Barkley faced backlash for the drop, both from himself and outside observers. Singletary pointed out that in sports, successes often pass without much commentary, while failures are magnified.
In his performance over the three games so far, Singletary has met the Giants’ expectations, excluding two fumbles he needs to address. He leads the team with 42 carries and 197 rushing yards, maintaining an average of 4.7 yards per attempt, which is promising for the team’s offense.
Giants General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll previously worked with Singletary at the Buffalo Bills and believe he can contribute effectively. They anticipated comparisons between Singletary and Barkley, especially knowing Barkley would excel behind the Eagles’ strong offensive line.
Currently, Barkley leads the NFL in rushing yards, with an impressive 351 yards and a total of four rushing touchdowns. If his performance continues, he could break his own personal records this season.
Meanwhile, Singletary has yet to achieve a 1,000-yard rushing season in his six years in the league and remains out of discussions about the top running backs in the NFL. Known for his positive attitude and approachable demeanor, Singletary chose to keep wearing the No. 26 jersey, which belonged to Barkley during his tenure with the Giants.
In the game following his dropped pass, Barkley rebounded strongly, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns that led the Eagles to a 15-12 victory over the Saints. Reflecting on the pressure from the previous week, Barkley stated that opinions from the outside shouldn’t dictate a player’s mindset. This aligns with the supportive attitude Singletary has shown throughout his time with the Giants.