Saquon Barkley delivered a remarkable performance on Sunday, guiding the Philadelphia Eagles to victory and a spot in the NFC Championship Game. The star running back showcased his skills with two rushing touchdowns of over 60 yards each, reminiscent of his standout Week 12 game against the Rams. Barkley’s impressive 205-yard display came as no surprise, given his efforts to seek advice from former running backs, including LeSean McCoy and Marshall Faulk, ahead of the game. This triumph, however, was marred by an injury scare for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
In pursuit of greatness, Barkley researched the Eagles' record for most rushing yards in a postseason game. He aimed to surpass it as part of his quest. Before the game, he reached out to LeSean McCoy, who famously achieved a 200-plus yard game during the Eagles' Snow Bowl victory against the Detroit Lions in December 2013. Barkley sought McCoy's guidance on running effectively in challenging weather conditions, prompting McCoy's advice to "run on your toes."
Barkley also engaged with Marshall Faulk, who texted him after Sunday's game with the words: "Patience and trust." Faulk's advice complemented Barkley's strategy on the field, enabling him to execute plays with precision.
"Don't predetermine plays. Trust your reads and allow your eyes and your feet to be connected. Be patient," Faulk advised.
Thanks to Barkley's outstanding efforts, the Eagles secured their place in the NFC Championship Game, where they will face the Washington Commanders. In doing so, Barkley joined Eric Dickerson as one of only two players to achieve a 200-yard rushing game in both the regular season and playoffs during their careers. His 205 rushing yards were the fifth-most in postseason history, and he surpassed Steve Van Buren's franchise record for most rushing yards in a playoff game set in 1949 against the Rams.
Barkley's remarkable season now sees him possessing the third-most rushing yards in NFL history for a single season, including playoffs, with 2,329 yards. He trails only Terrell Davis' marks of 2,331 yards in 1997 and 2,476 yards in 1998.
The Eagles' victory did come at some cost, as quarterback Jalen Hurts appeared to injure his left knee following a third-quarter sack. Despite this setback, Hurts remained optimistic about his participation in the upcoming game against Washington.
"It was a tough game, a challenging game. I was able to finish the game," Hurts stated.
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