Saquon Barkley reveals making massive error before erupting for 78-yard TD during Eagles vs. Rams Divisional Round showdown
Saquon Barkley scored a 78-yard touchdown for the Eagles against the Rams, and that proved to be the decisive game-winning score in the Divisional Round. Naturally, reporters sought him out after the game to get his reaction after his virtuoso performance that also saw him score another 62-yard touchdown and rush for more than 200 yards in total.
He revealed something that only cemented his legend in Philadelphia even further. Saquon Barkley was seen talking to Jalen Hurts before that mammoth score, and he told journalists that he had lined up on the wrong side. When queried, he replied:
"I got on the wrong side. You guys don't have that part of the story. It worked out pretty well. That was the conversation that we were having back there... We checked it and I was like, 'Am I supposed to switch?'. He was like, 'No'... That gives away the play... Wasn't quite sure, it just worked."
It didn't matter that he knew that he had lined up wrong because he still slowed down and then accelerated, making the Rams' defenders miss. It was a single-play drive that netted the Eagles six points, which turned out to be the eventual margin of victory.
Saquon Barkley passes Erick Dickerson after missing out on regular-season record
Saquon Barkley has been amazing since joining the Eagles from the New York Giants this season. He rushed for more than 2000 yards and had a chance to finish with the most rushing yards in a regular season. However, with the second seed secured, Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni rested his running back in Week 18, and the record stayed with Erick Dickerson, who had 2,105 yards in 1984.
However, Barkley passed Dickerson's total yardage that year, including the playoffs. The Rams player notched up 2,212 yards, while the Eagles rusher now has 2,329.
The only player ahead of him is Terrell Davis. The Broncos running back had 2,331 yards in 1997 and 2,476 yards in 1998. A couple of yards will allow Barkley to eclipse the first mark in the next game.
What will interest the Philadelphia star even more though, surely, is that Davis won the Super Bowl in each of those two years when he set the record. Saquon Barkley knows that he can sit atop the list even if the Eagles don't make it to the Super Bowl. Another 200-yard game will ensure that. However, he will set his sights on matching the Denver running back and winning a championship ring.