The Philadelphia Eagles have announced that they will rest their starters for the 2024 Week 18 game against the New York Giants. At 13-3 and with one game left, the Eagles have locked the second seed in the NFC playoffs. However, they can no longer claim the top seed, which the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will contest.
Likewise, the Eagles have clinched the NFC East, guaranteeing them a home playoff game in the Wild Card round. While resting their starters will keep them injury-free before the postseason, it will also rob the team of the chance to establish an all-time record.
Saquon Barkley, playing in his first season with the Eagles, is only 101 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record (2,105 yards). Barkley became the ninth member of the 2,000-yard club in Philadelphia’s 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Saquon Barkley says his dad probably took the news the hardest. Says having the family name attached to the record would have been nice. #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) January 1, 2025
It’s an attainable record, considering Barkley averages 117.9 yards per game. Meanwhile, blocking for him is arguably the NFL’s best offensive line with Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and Mekhi Becton. It would also help that the Giants rank 31st in rushing defense, allowing 141.6 yards per game.
Therefore, the all-time rushing record is Barkley’s to lose. However, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni wouldn’t want to risk his ace running back incurring an injury during a no-bearing game. Therefore, while Barkley won’t have an opportunity to break Dickerson’s record, it’s still a memorable season because he has established franchise records for most rushing yards in a game (255) and a season.
-Lance Fernandez