Saquon Barkley was in MVP form in the first half of a playoff game.
Throw in the Philadelphia Eagles taking an early lead against the Los Angeles Rams and Barkley creating an instantly viral video, and an NFC Divisional Round contest was another painful reminder of a division rival’s failure.
4
Barkley was a huge bargain for the EaglesCredit: GettyThe Eagles obviously got it right by prying Barkley away from New York for a highly affordable $37million.
The New York Giants, who are valued at $7.3billion, have been haunted week after week by being too cheap to keep the NFL’s best running back in uniform.
On Sunday night in the Philly snow, Barkley had racked up almost 100 yards with ten minutes left in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, the Giants were coming off a 3-14 season and searching for another quarterback.
READ MORE ON NFL“I’ll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia, I’ll tell you that,” New York owner John Mara told general manager Joe Schoen.
“He’s the most popular player we have by far.”
Barkley became a huge hit for the Eagles, rushing for a career-high 2,005 yards and earning an All-Pro selection.
With the NFC Championship potentially waiting, Barkley reminded NFL fans across the globe of the Giants’ glaring offseason miss.
Barkley blasted the Rams for a 62-yard touchdown, then continued to be the focus of Philly’s entire offense.
“And to think the Giants let him go … ,” one fan tweeted.
4
Barkley ran past the Rams and Jared VerseCredit: Getty
4
He was drafted by and once starred for the rival GiantsCredit: Getty
4
Barkley was dreaming of a Super Bowl with PhillyCredit: Getty”Barkley is a beast,” a second fan wrote.
“He actually may be the greatest RB of all time,” a third fan posted
According to reports, Barkley was never officially offered a new contract by the Giants during the offseason.
Former Eagles star Jason Kelce, who now works for ESPN, made it clear where the blame lies for Barkley leaving the Giants and joining the Eagles.
“For the life of me, I don’t understand why Giants fans hate Saquon for what happened, and not the Giants organization for the fact he is an Eagle,” Kelce tweeted.
“They have absolutely no one to blame other than the Giants ownership and management decisions for why he is no longer a Giant.
“Obviously understand their hate of the Eagles, and desire for him not to succeed, just very odd this energy is directed at him more so than the organization.”
Jared Verse did his best to end the Eagles’ season on Sunday.
Watch NFL Playoffs & Super Bowl Live with NFL Game Pass on DAZN
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the only place to experience every game of the 2024/25 season, including the Conference Championship games and Super Bowl LIX, live and on-demand.
One-Time-Payment: Pay once and enjoy access to all NFL content until 31st July 2025.Full Access: Catch every game, including the Conference Championship games and Super Bowl LIX, with NFL Game Pass.Beyond the Game: Dive deeper with NFL Films content, including Hard Knocks, Mic’d Up, Game in 40, and much more.Don’t miss out on the action and get access now with the NFL Game Pass on DAZN for just £9.99!
But Barkley was a winner, with or without the NFC Championship.
He reached 196 yards and two TDs late in the fourth quarter, barreling for a brilliant 78-yard score in the swirling snow as Philly took a 28-15 lead.
With NBC’s Cris Collinsworth wondering if the Philly back had just recorded the fastest-ever TD run in the snow, Mike Tirico praised Barkley and the Eagles.
“What a pick up,” Tirico said.
The biggest loser of the 2024 season was easily New York’s cheap Giants.
While Mara’s franchise chose to invest four years and $160 million in Daniel Jones, then coldly moved on from the struggling QB mid-season, Barkley is on the verge of eclipsing Terrell Davis for the most rushing yards in a season.
Davis ran for 2,476 yards in the regular and postseason with Denver in 1998 while winning the Super Bowl.
Read More on talkSPORTBarkley has 2,329 yards entering the NFC Championship against Washington.
“And we couldn’t pay this man?” tweeted Justin Tuck, who won two Super Bowls with the Giants.
Follow talkSPORT NFL on Facebook
