NFL Analysis
9/11/24
4 min read
Saquon Barkley Gives Eagles' Rushing Attack, Super Bowl Chances a Boost
The Philadelphia Eagles offense is undergoing a transformation, and new RB Saquon Barkley is leading the charge.
In their first game without future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce, the Eagles showed no fear in running the ball. Barkley finished with 109 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, adding another 23 yards and a touchdown on two receptions in the 34-29 win against the Green Bay Packers.
Barkley's arrival signals a new emphasis on the running game for the Eagles, which should help unlock the rest of Nick Sirianni's offense, making Philadelphia a Super Bowl contender out of the NFC again.
Saquon Barkley's Offensive Impact
As one of the NFL's most talented running backs, Barkley made the most of his opportunities last Friday.
According to TruMedia, Barkley averaged just 0.96 rushing yards before contact per attempt against the Packers. Most of his yards came after being hit, averaging 3.58 yards per attempt after contact. That was the league's eighth-best mark in Week 1 and the second-best, behind Rhamondre Stevenson (4.72 yards), among running backs with at least 20 carries.
It's only a one-game sample size, but it's a noticeable difference compared to the Eagles' rushing attack in 2023. The Eagles averaged 2.36 yards after contact per attempt and 1.96 yards before contact.
The field conditions in Brazil could have played a role in Barkley struggling to rack up as many yards before contact, but that means there will be even more opportunities for chunk plays on more reliable surfaces.
Barkley's 26 touches suggest the Eagles want to use him as a workhorse back. That's not something they had in 2023, when D'Andre Swift, who averaged 15.2 rushing attempts per game, was their lead back. He's also a different caliber of running back than anyone the Eagles have had in years, combining a 233-pound frame with excellent elusiveness to keep defenders guessing about his plan of attack in the open field.
The Eagles also appear to be willing to draw up some creative pass-catching opportunities for Barkley. His receiving touchdown came on a well-executed and designed play early in the second quarter.
Saquon Barkley 2024 Week 1 Film Breakdown 🧵
— Charles “Chux” Maranan (@ChuxMaranan) September 7, 2024
I absolutely love this HB wheel route play design.
The catch by Saquon Barkley might not be the most difficult, but it’s far from easy as well. Good job tracking, securing the catch through contact, and making sure both feet stay in… pic.twitter.com/fwFlgvj3XM
After sending Jahan Dotson in orbit motion, the Eagles ran a play-fake to Barkley with a pulling guard. All of the eye candy had Packers LB Isaiah McDuffie hesitant with his read while Barkley snuck through the offensive line to run a wheel route toward the pylon.
Barkley's unique skill set should allow the Eagles to draw up more passing plays like this one while he continues to operate as a workhorse back in the running game.
What Does This Mean for the Eagles in 2024?
With another star, the rest of the NFC must prepare for Philadelphia as a legitimate contender again.
Jalen Hurts won't be asked to do as much with a star running back in the backfield, but he still has plenty of weapons in the passing game. A.J. Brown looked like a star again in Week 1. He had 119 yards and a touchdown on just five catches, while DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert continue to be reliable safety blankets.
Philadelphia's offensive line still looks like an elite unit, even without Kelce. Lane Johnson was particularly dominant on Friday, allowing zero pressure on 41 pass-blocking snaps. New guard Mekhi Becton looked comfortable kicking inside after playing tackle for the New York Jets. Cam Jurgens settled in as the successor to Kelce after a miscue led to a fumble in the first quarter.
The Eagles' defense is the biggest roadblock to their being taken seriously as an NFC contender. After Week 1, their defense ranked 24th in DVOA by FTN Fantasy while ranking 30th in rushing defense.
LB Devin White's absence, along with the field conditions, are big reasons why the Eagles could have struggled to stop the run. However, considering the number of pass rushers and promising young defensive backs the Eagles have, the spine of the defense needs to be more reliable against the run.
The good news is that the offense has a new playmaker in Barkley, which adds another wrinkle for the opposing defense. With enough offensive firepower, the defensive shortcomings could be overlooked if the Eagles keep winning against playoff-caliber teams.
