The Washington Commanders are preparing for a critical game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a singular focus: stopping Saquon Barkley. Known for his explosive plays, Barkley poses a significant threat to the Commanders, who have struggled defensively against him in past matchups. In two games against Washington, Barkley has amassed 296 yards and four touchdowns. The upcoming game presents both challenges and opportunities for the Commanders to improve their defensive record.
Barkley, who rushed for 2,005 yards during the regular season and was a consistent MVP contender, proved his prowess once again by rushing 26 times for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a recent 28-22 playoff victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The Commanders' defense, ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed per game and 28th in yards per carry, has struggled to contain such impactful players. As they gear up to face the Eagles, the Commanders acknowledge the need to address these defensive shortcomings.
Commanders' coach Dan Quinn emphasized the importance of controlling Barkley's influence on the game. He stated that Barkley has always been a focal point whenever he's coached against him.
"Every single time that I've coached against him, he's been the emphasis." – Quinn
Despite Barkley's impressive track record, there is some hope for the Commanders. In a previous game, they managed to hold him to just 27 yards on 16 carries during the second half. This performance provides a glimmer of optimism as they strategize for their next encounter. The Commanders are also acutely aware of the other offensive threats posed by the Eagles, such as quarterback Jalen Hurts and receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. If Hurts is limited by his knee injury, it may allow Washington to concentrate more on neutralizing Barkley.
Washington's defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. highlighted the necessity of addressing multiple threats within the Eagles' offense.
"There's issues all over there that we have to make sure we take care of." – Whitt
Whitt further acknowledged Barkley's exceptional ability to perform against various defenses.
"We're going to treat him like a running back and hit him that way, so that's their decision if they want to get him hit the way he gets hit. If they don't, they'll keep him in the pocket." – Whitt
The Commanders have experienced mixed results against the Eagles this season, allowing 206 yards in a 26-18 loss on November 10 and conceding 211 yards in a narrow 36-33 victory on December 22. This inconsistency underscores the need for Washington to tighten their defensive unit as they prepare for yet another challenging contest.
The Eagles' coach Nick Sirianni remarked that every team has attempted to devise strategies to halt Barkley's momentum, further emphasizing the challenge that lies ahead for Washington.
"It's what every team has tried to do to stop Barkley." – Sirianni
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