When the Eagles signed veteran running back Saquon Barkley in the offseason, it was a winner-takes-all proposition. A team that has been on the verge of a Super Bowl victory for a few years now, the franchise rolled the dice on the former New York Giant, giving him a three-year $37.75 million deal with one mission behind it: Deliver another Super Bowl title to the city of Brotherly Love.
The three-time NFL Pro Bowler is on the verge of doing that very thing. He and his teammates are set to face the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs for the Lombardi Trophy. Philly trounced division rival Washington, 55-23, to advance to The Big Game. For his part, Barkley ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns in the blowout win.
That creates a colossal conflict for football supremacy between the two teams that many were picking to make it to the Super Bowl anyway. While the Chiefs have dominated The League in recent years, they’ve shown chips in their armor down the stretch this season. Meanwhile, the Eagles have leaned heavily on Saquon the Superman to rescue them from the jaws of defeat. And when he finally gets to New Orleans, his performance will likely make the difference between who hoists the trophy… and who goes home the runner-up.
Barkley, 27, is at an age where most running backs start to slow down. Over his first six NFL seasons, he had already racked up some impressive numbers with the Giants. He accumulated 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns, despite missing almost all of 2020 with an injury.
It may have seemed like a risky proposition for the Eagles to have signed him to a long-term deal, but Barkley has responded like never before. He ran for 2006 yards and 13 TDs while catching 33 passes for 278 yards and two more scores. As the season ended, he was being mentioned as a possible MVP candidate, alongside quarterbacks Josh Allen from the Buffalo Bills and Patrick Mahomes from the Kansas City Chiefs.
With all due respect to the Eagles’ sensational QB Jalen Hurts, Barkley has been the Eagles’ most valuable player this year. Despite all the weaponry that the versatile Philly offense has, they needed a straw to stir the drink. Barkley has been all that and more, and he now has his team one win away from a World Championship.
Kansas City is often cited as a dangerous offensive team, and for good reason. Mahomes is one of the most dazzling players of his generation and tight end Travis Kelce has been a perfect partner on important pass plays. The Chiefs will look to cement their legacy by winning their fourth title in the past six years.
However, the often unsung KC defense is the real hammer, particularly when the team opens up a lead. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnoulo has one of the most impressive blitz packages the NFL has ever seen. Led by terrifying tackle Chris Jones, the boys in red will look to put a hurt on Hurts.
That’s where Barkley will have his opportunity. If Philly dials up Saquon’s number at the right times, we could see the Super Bowl performance of a lifetime from the former Penn State Nittany Lion.
If the Eagles can slay the giant known as the Chiefs Dynasty, it will be likely due to a big game from their outstanding tailback. That also means there’s a good chance that Barkley reaches the end zone a couple of times, and walks away with the game’s MVP Award.
It won’t be easy, but KC has shown signs of vulnerability this year. They’ve dodged a few bullets here and there, but Barkley will be coming at them like a cannonball when it’s all on the line. If you’ve got to bet on anything in The Big Game, bet on ‘Green 26’, because the Super Bowl will be Saquon’s time to shine.
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