The Philadelphia Eagles will host the New York Giants on Sunday in what could be a game for the ages. Not in the competitive sense but for one player’s legacy and for the future of the NFL. Saquon Barkley has no crossed the 2,000 rushing yard mark and is well in striking distance of the single season rushing record that was set by Eric Dickerson in 1984.
The Eagles don’t have anything to play for against the Giants though. They’ve already clinched the number 2 seed in the NFC and will host two home games in the playoffs. Which has led to a significant debate among Eagles fans and even the national media. Should the Eagles rest Saquon Barkley or allow him to go for the record? Our team has chosen to debate the hot topic of the week within this article.
Liam Jenkins
Breaking the NFL rushing record is a truly once-in-a-lifetime milestone, but Saquon Barkley is a once-in-a-lifetime player, and the only thing that changes on Sunday if he rushes for around 100 more yards is his name is mentioned in the history books. Does not hitting that fabled mark devalue the simply remarkable MVP-level campaign he’s had? Absolutely not.
The truth is that this is a meaningless game for the Eagles. They took care of business against Dallas, and the only thing left to snatch is the #1 seed, but that’s more reliant on Detroit than themselves. Will it really matter? It’s not worth risking Saquon Barkley, THE most valuable player in the league this weekend. If he were to pick up a knock now, it would be a devestating blow, and I know he would be just as heartbroken as you.
Let’s not forget that Barkley was pulled out of a game as he drew close to a single-game rushing record earlier this year and didn’t bat an eye. In fact, he encouraged it. This is Barkley’s first divisional title, and I’m sure the prospect of a Lombardi Trophy means more than an accolade he is realistically poised to challenge for year after year behind this offensive front.
Bryan Cameron
Saquon Barkley stated in an interview with Jeff Nieburg of the Philadelphia Inquirer that “the beauty of playing in 2024 is you have so much data, so much science. Trust in that; trust in the trainers; trust in the strength guys, and just listen and be coachable.” Which makes you wonder if he’s all-in on going for the rushing record. He has also mentioned countless times that he’s not “scared of it” when it comes to the single-season rushing record. Does that sound like a player who is going to sit out the opportunity of a lifetime?
I understand the cons of him going for the record. There’s the injury risk that plays a huge factor in what the Eagles will ultimately decide. But we’re talking about a record that has lasted for 40 years. We’re talking about this running back, this offensive line, this season entering the status of immortality. That’s not something that happens often. I say go for it. Build on what has been an incredible season. Give these guys the chance to break it in the first half. If he breaks it in the first quarter then sit them immediately after. But you have to let him try for history’s sake. He’s a generational talent for a reason.
Mike Gregor
To play Saquon or not to play Saquon, that is the question: whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the broken bones incurred in a meaningless football game, or to take aim against a 40-year-old rushing record, and by attempting to break it.
(Apologies for the Shakespearean interlude). Anyway, Saquon Barkley shouldn’t be on the field on Sunday. The Eagles have everything wrapped up. They are locked into the No. 2 seed. They cannot usurp the No. 1 seed, so it makes no sense to risk their best player and possible NFL MVP to injury. Further, Barkley would have an asterisk next to his name even if he broke Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards. It’s not worth the squeeze. Keeping your Corvette ZRI in the garage is 100% the right move.
However, the decision to shelter Saquon should be a collaborative one between the player and the coaching staff, obviously, with input from ownership and the front office. All parties should lock themselves in a room and talk it out, openly and honestly, in the freest spirit of diplomatic discourse. Barkley may never get a shot at breaking this record again so he should have the final say on whether he wants to take a stab at smashing it. Especially since it would come at the expense of his old team, the New York Giants — the franchise that scoffed at making a final offer to the 27-year-old face of their franchise — a running back in his prime, and arguably the best player at his position over the last decade. Instead, they chose to let him walk in free agency to a divisional rival which is perhaps, ironically, the best argument for letting him play in Week 18.
He probably won’t suit up on Sunday. There’s no need to risk it. But, whatever the final decision, Saquon Barkley won the race.
David Neisz
The only reasoning I could make in going for the single-season rushing record would be that Jalen Hurts will not have played in a game in three weeks heading into their home wild-card matchup. The historical aspect of breaking Eric Dickerson’s 40-year record would be a huge accomplishment, but staying healthy and winning the Super Bowl is far more important. If the Eagles feel the need to give their franchise QB reps before the post-season, it could benefit both the team’s Championship aspirations and give Saquon Barkley and the offense a chance to attain the coveted record.
Anthony DiBona
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has emphasized that the team wants to do “special sh**” during team meetings and locker room speeches this season. While Saquon Barkley breaking the single-season rushing record would certainly be categorized as special, the Eagles should have their sights set on a bigger goal.
Considering that both Jalen Hurts and Dallas Goedert are dealing with injuries and four offensive linemen have played over 900 snaps this season, Philadelphia needs to capitalize on the opportunity to rest in Week 18. While many want the Eagles to allow Barkley to attempt to break the record, it wouldn’t be a smart decision for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Cory Nidoh
This debate will dominate the headlines this week locally and nationally. I think the Eagles should give Barkley a chance to break the record, but that also requires playing ALL of the starters. The offensive line, the wide receivers, and the tight ends all played a role in Barkley getting to this point and hearing from some of the starters, they want to push to help him break the record. So, let them play the first half and see what happens. We saw Barkley gouge his former team in the first meeting, running for 176 yards. He has the ability to get to 101 yards in the first half against a woeful Giants rush defense. If he doesn’t get it, then you pull the starters and move on.
Christopher Babos
While acknowledging the injury concerns and the team’s focus on “the bigger goal,” I have zero doubt that Saquon Barkley should start in the Week 18 game against the New York Giants. In over 90 years of Eagles football, the franchise has never seen a season from the running back that Barkley (and his offensive line) has provided. Sure, the ninth-best NFL rushing season in history is a grand accomplishment… but if the Eagles don’t win Super Bowl LIX, all the rest in the world before the playoffs is a moot point. Football players are used to playing on a week-in, week-out basis, so give the offensive unit a chance in the first half to seek NFL glory.
In addition to Saquon’s legacy, the law firm of Mailata, Dickerson, and Johnson deserves their chance at immortality by paving the way for the most incredible rushing season ever. It would be a fitting anecdote from broadcasters for years to come that “Eagles Guard Landon Dickerson cleared the way for Barkley to take the rushing title away from Eric Dickerson”. I’m tired of hearing the forced chuckle already!
Go to YouTube and watch Adrian Peterson’s 2012 attempt to set a new record. LISTEN to that building as he gets the ball. Now picture an Eagles running back at home in Philadelphia – a roaring Linc grows louder as the Midnight Green #26 jersey cuts past helpless Blue jerseys for a 42-yard dash on the opening possession. The Giants have allowed 1,018 rushing yards in the first half this season – a 60/yards-per-game average to normal NFL running backs. With this offensive line, Barkley gets his 100+ yards and a new rushing record by halftime creating a lifetime memory for generations of Eagles fans. That’s a South Philly neighborhood that I want to start 2025 in!
Zach Ciavolella
The crux of the argument is the idea of preserving the health of the team or pursuing glory. Many suggest that the perceived individual glory of the rushing record would come at the risk of far greater team glory. While it would increase the risk surely, there is no moment without risk in the NFL. What matters is that risk compared to that sweet reward.
Nothing can catalyze this Eagles team more at this point than setting history, not just for Barkley as an individual, but for this offense as a unit. As is often the case, the offensive line has been a major reason for the success of their running game. Setting this record would not just bolster Barkley, but also the entire Eagles offensive line and potentially, even the entire team.
