Saquon Barkley Showed His True Character At End Of Eagles vs. Packers
01/13/2025 02:18 PM
Saquon Barkley has made it clear throughout his brief tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles that he's a team-first player.
During a blowout win over his former team, the New York Giants, in October, Barkley eschewed the opportunity to chase possible team single-game rushing records in order to allow younger teammates the opportunity to get reps. He also was supportive of the Eagles' decision to sit him and other starters in Week 18 against the Giants, rather than try and break the NFL's single-season rushing yardage mark. In Sunday's Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers, Barkley again showed his unselfish nature.
With less than two minutes remaining, the Eagles got the ball back, needing to run only a few plays to close out a 22-10 win. On 2nd-and-6 from the Philadelphia 24-yard line, Barkley took a handoff and darted through a massive hole in the left side of the Eagles' line with nothing but green in front of him.
However, instead of sprinting for a 76-yard touchdown to cap off the win, Barkley slid down safely after a 17-yard gain to keep the clock running. The All-Pro running back finished with 119 yards on 25 carries.
Can't help but feel sick for Saquon Barkley anytime TD bettors
— Colin McTamany (@Colin_McT) January 13, 2025
Barkley also left about 12.0 fantasy points on the bone
Tough pic.twitter.com/XsOiGIql9g
While the decision may not have endeared Barkley to sports bettors who wagered on him to score a touchdown, he made it clear after the game that he wasn't thinking of himself but only his team.
"No más," Barkley said. "It's situational football. A first down ends the game. You never know. I break that long one, I keep running and I pull a hammy. or someone is chasing me, and they pull a hammy and we lose a guy for next week. Get down, put a smile on your face and move on. That's the thing that matters most."
Barkley also might not have wanted to look like he was running up the score. Either way, he put his personal stats and highlight reel aside for the moment for the greater cause.
Barkley's attitude and approach, in addition to his prodigious talents, have helped him fit in seamlessly in Philadelphia this season.
"Stats don't matter. The only stat that matters is the win," Barkley said. "Whether we throw for 400 yards, rush for 400 yards or win 3-0, I don't give a f---, to be honest. I just want to win."
Three more wins and the Eagles are Super Bowl champions. They'll face the winner of tonight's Vikings-Rams game next Sunday afternoon for the right to go to the NFC Championship Game.
Related: Sports Bettors Are Furious With Saquon Barkley's Decision Sunday
