It feels good to love a football team and see that team play like they love you just as much. The dynamics between the Philadelphia Eagles and Birds fans come sometime seem like a love-hate affair, but it's one of the most loyal bonds an organization and fan base can share. Seriously name a support structure as sturdy as Eagles Nation.
Faith has been rewarded so far this season with Philly in position to make a run at a second Vince Lombardi Trophy. But, what does that mean in terms of a single-season rushing record that you may have heard about?
Nick Sirianni addressed that question on New Year's Day.
Saquon Barkley's run at history will seemingly end 101 yards shy of passing the great Eric Dickerson.
Holidays don't affect how NFL work weeks are managed very often. Much of our great country took January 1st off, but the Eagles are preparing for a playoff run.
Nick Sirianni met with the media on Wednesday ahead of Philly's regular-season finale vs. the New York Giants. It appears the decision has been made. Saquon Barkley and the starters will rest.
It appears the Eagles coaching staff has decided they will rest Saquon Barkley and the starters! pic.twitter.com/NMLbMm9vGM
— Inside The Iggles (@InsideIggles) January 1, 2025
With that, Barkley's run at Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record has seemingly ended. It does so with Saquon falling 101 yards short of eclipsing the Pro Football Hall of Famer. Dickerson's legendary mark, 2,105 rushing yards, and his 40-year possession of one of the NFL's most appreciated benchmarks will continue past the current season.
Regardless of what the decision was, it was going to be impossible to make everyone happy. This is what many wanted though. Risking injury to any starters with so much on the line was a concern, but let's be honest. This decision will be second-guessed and talked about, maybe forever.
If Philly lifts the Vince Lombardi Trophy to close Super Bowl LIX on February 9th, we probably won't be debating with one another though. Happy New Year everyone! 2025 will certainly begin in the same manner that 2024 ended. The Birds are on our minds and in our conversations.