"It's always great to win. It's always great to beat a division rival," Saquon Barkley offered that simple thought after a dominant performance. But the story behind that statement was far from simple.
It was a tale of a remembered celebration, a stinging loss, and the long, quiet wait for a rematch. The stage was set for a classic NFL revenge narrative. And the question hung in the Philadelphia air... would emotion or execution win the day?
Barkley and the Eagles delivered their emphatic answer in Week 8. The star running back exploded for a 65-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage. This was the Barkley of old, silencing doubts about his early-season production. He reached a blistering 21 mph on that sprint. The Eagles’ 38-20 demolition of the Giants was a statement win. It was a get-back game delivered with brutal efficiency.
But what was the true catalyst for this outburst? Was it pure revenge?
Saquon pointed directly to Coach Nick Sirianni’s philosophy. He shared, “But I think one of my favorite things Coach Sirianni says is the revenge mindset, that lasts for five minutes, and then it goes back to your habits.” The initial spark was there. However, the sustained dominance came from ingrained routine and focus.
Barkley’s final line was monstrous... 150 rushing yards and two total touchdowns. Moreover, his backfield mate, Tank Bigsby, added 104 yards. This two-headed monster gashed the Giants’ defense all afternoon. The Eagles’ ground game, a puzzle all season, finally clicked into place.
A Blueprint for the Eagles' Future
This win provides a clear template for the Eagles moving forward. Establishing the run early with Barkley opens up the entire playbook. It makes Jalen Hurts’ play-action passes deadly effective. This offensive balance is their key to sustained success. It takes immense pressure off a receiving corps missing A.J. Brown.
The implications for the NFC East? Well, avoiding a series sweep keeps the Eagles firmly in the driver’s seat. More importantly, they rediscovered their identity as the bullies of the division. Left tackle Jordan Mailata confirmed it: “We just wanted to be the more physical team today.” The Eagles finally played the way Barkley wanted them to and vice versa. This physicality, when present, makes them nearly unstoppable.
And Saquon’s personal breakthrough cannot be overstated here. This was a resounding return to form after averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. His teammates never lost faith. Guard Landon Dickerson bluntly declared, “I told you all it was the same Saquon.” His relief was palpable after his long touchdown run. Barkley admitted, “I would lie to you if I said I wasn’t like, ‘Finally,’” as he looked skyward.
Read more: Jalen Hurts’ admission reveals DeVonta Smith’s real place in Eagles’ offensive room
The Eagles now enter their bye week at 6-2. They have momentum and a clarified identity. They have a running back who has silenced his critics and a team that channeled a slight into a strength. The revenge mindset lasted five minutes. But the habits they displayed? Those can carry a team deep into January.