Saquon Barkley, the dynamic running back for the New York Giants, is on a remarkable trajectory this season, not only rewriting team records but also threatening historical benchmarks. A dominant force on the field, Barkley has already rushed for an astounding 1,623 yards in just 13 games. His stellar performance this year surpasses LeSean McCoy's previous single-season record for the Philadelphia Eagles, set at 1,607 yards in 2013.
Even more impressive is Barkley's average of 124.8 rushing yards per game. If he continues at this explosive pace, he is projected to accumulate an incredible 2,122 rushing yards by the season's end. This would edge him past the long-standing NFL single-season rushing record set by Eric Dickerson in 1984, which stands at 2,105 yards. To break Dickerson's formidable record, Barkley needs to rush for an additional 483 yards over the remaining four games, a challenge given his current average of 6.1 yards per carry.
Barkley's potential to ascend to greatness is no secret to him, or those around him. "I never wrote goals down to break it, but you're always aware of it," he admits, indicating his understated awareness of the record books. His focus, however, remains on a broader achievement. "I want to win football games, and do something special for this city, and we know what that is," he emphasizes, highlighting his ambition to deliver success not just for personal glory, but for the team's legacy and its passionate fanbase.
Drawing parallels with other legendary runners, Barkley's performance echoes the high efficiency of Barry Sanders' rushing game in 1997. No player since Adrian Peterson in 2012 has managed to achieve an average of over 100 rushing yards per game with the kind of efficiency that Barkley displays today. It’s not just about the numbers but the manner in which he achieves them. Barkley’s ability to combine power and agility is reminiscent of some of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
The Giants’ offensive line also plays a crucial part in Barkley's success, a fact he does not overlook. "I'm very aware God has blessed me with a tremendous talent and put me in a great situation here... to be able to play behind those guys and to play with the organization -- to be able to do stuff like that," he acknowledges. This humility and recognition of his teammates’ roles further endear him to fans and the sport's community alike.
Yet amidst this pursuit of greatness, Barkley's mindset remains grounded in the team ethos. "That's how I train. That's how I operate in the offseason and in camp, because I want to be great," he explains. "Obviously, that would be extremely cool to do, but at the end of the day, if it happens, it happens." For Barkley, it’s about seizing the opportunity and letting the results naturally unfold from his hard work and dedication.
"But not with the mindset of I'm scared to go try to do it. Whatever it takes to win football games, if that's in the way of it, then that's in the way of it," Barkley continues, asserting a refreshing candidness about his ambitions. His words reflect a mature understanding of the game—winning takes precedence over records, but achieving a historic feat wouldn’t be sidestepped if it helps secure victories.
As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike are witnessing a potentially historic run by Saquon Barkley. His drive for excellence and his commitment to both personal and team goals exemplify what makes the NFL compelling season after season—the pursuit of greatness and the stories behind those chasing it. While records might be broken, the true achievement lies in the spirit with which Barkley approaches the game, a narrative worth celebrating, irrespective of the yardage accumulated by season's end.