Hands down to the running back who has taken Philly to new heights. Saquon Barkley is standing tall between the Chiefs and their dream of a three-peat. All the teams kicked out by the Chiefs are hoping Barkley can avenge them. Indeed, the former Giants star is a living nightmare for defensive lineups. But Barkley has made it clear that it’s team effort that wins games. He’s no Batman who will save all of Gotham City on his own. The RB will need his Alfred Pennyworth and Lucius Fox along the way.
For the second time in two years, the Eagles and Chiefs are going head-to-head in the Super Bowl. Back then, Philly didn’t have Saquon Barkley, so this time, it’s going to be a whole different battle. Undoubtedly, for Eagles fans, the RB is no less than a hero, carrying the entire team on his shoulders. But Saquon would like to disagree. He’s made it clear that everyone on the team needs to do their part. “Guys get to get open. Jalen has to make the throw. A.J. has to make the catch. That’s how the game works. And I think we’ve lost that in today’s world with how much we all get paid.” That’s a strong message for his team.
Saquon Barkley on reputation of being a good teammate: “The way you win championships, the way you do special stuff, is together. It’s not like — I don’t think it’s ‘being a good teammate.’ I’d be a fool not to realize that. I play running back. You can hand me the ball, but I…
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) January 31, 2025
And honestly, folks, he’s not wrong there. The example is in front of us: the Chiefs. KC isn’t winning just because Patrick Mahomes is a great QB, Kareem Hunt is a spectacular RB, or Travis Kelce is a powerhouse TE. The reason for their success is that, as a team, they’re doing exactly what each person is supposed to do. They’re perfectly synchronized, and the results speak for themselves.
Indeed, The Eagles aren’t far behind. Their TE D. Goedert had 42 receptions in the 2024 season with an average of 11.8. And their QB Jalen Hurts is not that bad. How can we forget his 20 points (three touchdowns and a two-point conversion) against Kansas City? In fact, that matched the Super Bowl record set by New England’s James White in Super Bowl 51.
“You have stats of Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning like it’s those two guys going against each other. That’s not the truth. It’s a team sport. It stems from my parents, but it’s not hard to realize. I think a lot of people have to realize that, too,” added Barkley. The former Giants star also got candid about his feelings toward the Eagles two years ago.
The Giants’ Saquon Barkley wanted the Eagles to fail
Two years ago, Saquon Barkley did not have the same feelings for Philly as he does now. Fair enough, he was with the Giants at that time. And the Eagles had knocked them out of the Divisional Round. Indeed, they were one step away from reaching the Super Bowl. Jalen Hurts and Co. pinned them at 7 while going on to score 38 in the Divisional Round of the 2022 season. “Of course, I was rooting against the Eagles. They knocked us out of the playoffs at the time. There was no part of me that wanted the Eagles,” recalled Barkley.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 08: Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley 26 looks on during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Carolina Panthers on December 08, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 08 Panthers at Eagles EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon241208127
However, the Eagles made it to the end of that season, going head-to-head with the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Saquon got what he hoped for. Philly fell short against Patrick Mahomes and Co., losing 35-38 by just three points. Moreover, just one season after that season, Barkley ended up with the Eagles. After having enough of John Mara and his front office, the star RB decided to part ways with the Giants. And Philly did a great job making sure he landed in their camp. “It’s funny to look back on it now, probably how I felt during that time…and now being here with a lot of those guys who were part of the team. Trying to finish the job,” added Saquon.
So now, Barkley has made it past the divisional round. He’s got the entire Philadelphia fanbase rooting for him. And maybe even the Bills Mafia too. Will he be able to take down the defending champs? Indeed, the countdown has started, and you can feel the excitement building up more and more with each passing day.
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