Saquon Barkley delivered a performance for the ages on Sunday night, shattering franchise records and etching his name in NFL history as the Philadelphia Eagles routed the Los Angeles Rams 37-20, The Associated Press reports.
Barkley’s 255 rushing yards, including two 70-yard touchdown runs, propelled the Eagles to their seventh consecutive victory.
The running back’s electrifying night saw him eclipse several milestones. His 255 rushing yards set a new Eagles franchise record, surpassing LeSean McCoy’s 217 yards in 2013. His 302 total yards – a combination of rushing and receiving – made him only the 12th player in NFL history to surpass the 300-yard mark, and the first Eagle to ever achieve the feat. The two 70-yard touchdown runs were also historic, marking the first time since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2009 that a player had accomplished this feat in a single game.
Barkley’s performance wasn’t just about individual accolades; it was a dominant display that shifted the game’s momentum. After a relatively quiet first half with 73 rushing yards, he exploded onto the scene in the third quarter, scoring on a 70-yard run on the opening play. While the Rams briefly responded with a touchdown, Barkley and the Eagles offense answered decisively. His 31-yard catch-and-run set up another Philadelphia touchdown shortly thereafter. He added a second, equally impressive 72-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, solidifying the victory.
The Eagles’ offense was a well-oiled machine, with Jalen Hurts throwing for 179 yards and a touchdown to A.J. Brown, who finished with six receptions for 109 yards. The Eagles’ offensive line paved the way for Barkley’s record-setting performance, allowing him to average a remarkable 9.8 yards per carry.
Despite the Rams’ efforts, which included a touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp and a rushing touchdown from Kyren Williams, their offense couldn’t keep pace with the Eagles’ explosive attack. Matthew Stafford, despite throwing for 243 yards, was sacked five times by Philadelphia’s dominant defense. Puka Nacua led the Rams receiving corps with 117 yards on nine receptions.
The Rams’ defense, which had shown improvement in recent weeks, surrendered a staggering 480 total yards, highlighting the Eagles’ complete dominance.
The victory extended the Eagles’ winning streak to seven games, improving their record to 9-2 and solidifying their position atop the NFC East. However, the win came at a cost, as cornerback Darius Slay left the game with a concussion and defensive end Brandon Graham suffered a season-ending triceps tear. The Rams, meanwhile, dropped their second consecutive home game, falling to 5-6 on the season.
