Saquon Barkley, the star running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, is currently facing challenges both with his performance on the field and a nagging groin injury. After a remarkable season last year where he rushed for 2,005 yards, Barkley is on pace to fall below 1,000 rushing yards this season, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike.
The Eagles’ struggles in the running game can be traced back to injuries sustained by key offensive linemen, including right tackle Lane Johnson and center Cam Jurgens. Johnson is missing his second consecutive game due to a foot injury, while Jurgens has battled knee issues and a concussion throughout the season. Left guard Landon Dickerson, recovering from knee surgery in August, has also faced injuries that have hindered the line’s performance.
In their latest matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles initially took a commanding 21-0 lead by relying on their passing game. However, as they attempted to integrate Barkley into the offense, their momentum stalled, ending the game in a 24-21 loss. Barkley managed only 22 rushing yards on 10 carries, highlighting the struggle to establish a consistent ground attack.
Despite these setbacks, Coach Nick Sirianni believes in Barkley’s abilities, stating, “I see explosiveness. I see power. I see all the things that have made him a great football player in the NFL.” He emphasized the need to create opportunities to get Barkley the ball in space, which could be key to reigniting the running game.
The opposing defenses are putting pressure on the Eagles by focusing on stopping Barkley, forcing the team to adopt a more passing-oriented strategy. The return of Jalen Hurts and a talented group of receivers, including A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, offers potential for a balanced offensive approach. However, Smith is also dealing with injuries that could impact his availability.
Looking ahead to their next game against the Chicago Bears on November 28, the Eagles are preparing to adapt their game plan, which could involve giving more carries to backup running back Tank Bigsby, who has shown promise with an average of 9.1 yards per carry this season.
As the Eagles seek to stabilize their running game, the overarching sentiment among the team is one of adaptation and determination. Hurts emphasizes the importance of winning above all, stating, “Nothing takes precedence over finding ways to win.” The team’s ability to unify their offensive identity while remaining flexible in their strategy will be crucial as they navigate the remainder of the season.
In this challenging time, the Eagles are focused on improving their overall performance, hoping to reclaim their running game and continue competing at a high level.