Saquon Barkley's electrifying performance this NFL season has not only invigorated the New York Giants' offense but has also sparked conversations about the long-neglected possibility of a running back snagging the prestigious NFL MVP award. It's been over a decade since a running back has achieved such a feat, and Barkley is making a compelling case if statistics are the measure.
A Season to Remember
Barkley has amassed an impressive 1,392 rushing yards, with 920 of those occurring in the second half of games. His second-half ferocity has him averaging 7.9 yards per carry, a statistic all the more remarkable because no player has exceeded this mark in the past 30 years. Comparisons have naturally arisen with NFL legends like Barry Sanders, who averaged 6.9 yards per carry during his stellar 1997 season.
With 116 carries in the second half alone, Barkley has scored seven touchdowns, showcasing his ability to not only cover ground but to punctuate drives with scoring plays. His second-half yards surpass those of Chuba Hubbard and Najee Harris combined, highlighting his unmatched contribution when the stakes are high.
The Secret to Second-Half Success
There is a strategic artistry to Barkley's second-half success, partially attributed to the cerebral aspects of football that unfold during a game. Lane Johnson reflected on this, noting, "There's a lot of stuff you can game plan through throughout the week, and then, you know, you get to the game and they may show up in a different defense. You have to make those adjustments after each series and like halftime, you know, some plays that maybe don't run the first half, run the second half."
Partnering strategy with persistence is Mekhi Becton's take on how the run game evolves over the course of a match. "Like the run game isn't always gonna hit off the first run. It's one of those things where we gotta keep going and going and wait for it to just hit. I feel like we've done that every game this year," he explained. This persistence seems particularly true for Barkley, whose relentless approach wears down defenses, allowing big plays to eventually develop.
Grinding Out the Yards
Echoing this sentiment, Kellen Moore emphasized the physical aspect of a well-coordinated run game. "I do think there is an element of -- we pride ourselves on being a really physical run game, and those things wear on you as the game goes on when you get the opportunities we get. And the way the games have played out, you can keep grinding it out as the second half progresses, and those big plays eventually pop." For the Giants, those "big plays" often come courtesy of Barkley's dynamic capabilities.
Competing with the Best
While Barkley shines, the Philadelphia Eagles also present a formidable rushing attack, leading the league with an average of 118.8 second-half and overtime rushing yards per game. Their average of 5.9 yards per carry in these critical periods, although impressive, still falls short of Barkley's extraordinary 7.9 average. Despite the Eagles' proficiency, Barkley stands as the NFL's fourth-leading rusher based solely on his second-half prowess.
Barkley's season reflects a revival of the running back role's significance in an era increasingly dominated by quarterback narratives. As the season unfolds, the anticipation grows surrounding whether Barkley can sustain this otherworldly performance and, perhaps, enter the hallowed list of MVP running backs. Until then, Saquon Barkley remains a beacon of hope and awe for Giants fans and an embodiment of the enduring power of a remarkable run game in the NFL's complex tapestry.