Saquon Barkley rushes for an Eagles record 255 yards in win over Rams

LOS ANGELES – Saquon Barkley ran off the field at SoFi Stadium on Sunday night with two game balls under one arm and one hand raised to the sky as Philadelphia Eagles fans showered him with chants of “MVP!”

If he continues to play like this, he could become the first running back to win the award since Adrian Peterson in 2012.

Barkley had a career night with 302 scrimmage yards and two rushing touchdowns, both of which went for 70 yards, in the Eagles’ 37-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

“He’s a different type of player,” Rams rookie outside linebacker Jared Verse said. “I’ve never seen a running back like that.”

Barkley set the franchise record for most rushing yards (255) and yards from scrimmage in a game. It was the ninth-most rushing yards in a game in NFL history and the highest total since 2009.

He became just the 12th player in NFL history with more than 300 scrimmage yards in a game.

“He has home run ability every time he touches the football, he catches the ball out of the backfield, he can run people over. He has a lot of fun blocking, I can tell you that,” said Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson .

Rams coach Sean McVay added: “As a slash runner, he’s as good as it gets because he can work edges and then erase angles and finish. And that’s why he had the performance he had, and that’s why.” He’s arguably had an MVP-type season so far.

Entering Sunday, Barkley had a 60-1 chance of winning MVP. That rose to +550 on Sunday night, according to ESPN BET, tied with Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions, who had the third-best odds to win the award. Only Buffalo’s Josh Allen (+135) and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson (+300) have better odds.

After his historic night, Barkley has 1,649 scrimmage yards this season, leading the league. He has a pace of 2,151 rushing yards, which would be an NFL record.

“I’m not surprised, to be honest,” Barkley said of the year he has ahead of him. “I didn’t think I would have so much success. I always think that God has blessed me a lot – a lot to be honest – but I’m grateful to be here, I’m grateful for the new beginning.”

“A big reason I wanted to come here was a conversation with my family and my fiancée: ‘Hey, I think this is a place where I can kind of rewrite my story and feel like I can show everyone ‘what kind of guy he is.’ I feel like I can be and should be a player.’”

Barkley signed a three-year, $38 million contract as a free agent with the Eagles after six seasons with the New York Giants. The No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft made two Pro Bowls in New York, but has never played behind this offensive line or with as many playmakers as he did in Philadelphia. He quickly credited his teammates with playing a key role in his success.

How about the guys up front!!!

— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) November 25, 2024

As for the MVP? Barkley said he won’t really think about it until the end of the season.

“I love being part of this conversation,” he said. “It’s cool and stuff. But it is a team sport. And if you told me I can have the year I’m having and win MVP but can’t win the Super Bowl, or I can have the year I’m having and not win MVP.” or offensive player of the year and win the Super Bowl, I’ll take the (second) one.”