Barkley a key difference in Super Bowl rematch

Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley runs for a first down during the NFC Championship game against the Washington Commanders. Barkey has totaled at least 100 yards in each of Philadelphia’s three playoff games this season.
AP PHOTO/MATT SLOCUM

by IAN BIVONA
Ian Bivona serves as the Columbia Basin Herald’s sports reporter and is a graduate of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. He enjoys the behind-the-scenes stories that lead up to the wins and losses of the various sports teams in the Basin. Football is his favorite sport, though he likes them all, and his favorite team is the Jets. He lives in Soap Lake with his cat, Honey. | February 7, 2025 1:30 AM

MOSES LAKE – Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley has captured the headlines for the Eagles this season, and for good reason; he’s a key reason why the Eagles are in a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday.

Up next for the Eagles is a Kansas City defense that has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher since the opening game of the season, and hasn’t surrendered a 100-yard rushing performance in the postseason since 2018’s season.

“They’re a great defense, it’s not a mistake that they’re in this game,” Barkley said at Super Bowl media day Monday. “I don’t think they’ve allowed a 100-yard rusher all year besides Lamar (Jackson), so we know it’s going to be a tough challenge, but a challenge we’re ready to go against.”

Barkley, who became the ninth player in NFL history to run for more than 2,000 yards in a single regular season, rushed for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns for Philadelphia this season. The 27-year-old running back has continued to put stress on opposing defenses during the playoffs, running for 119 yards in the wild card round against Green Bay, 205 yards and two touchdowns during the divisional round against Los Angeles and 118 yards and three scores against Washington in the NFC Championship game.

Against the Commanders, Barkley ran for a 60-yard touchdown on Philadelphia’s first offensive play of the game.

After opening the season with a 2-2 record, Barkley saw his role in the Philadelphia offense continue to increase as the season progressed. After the Eagles’ 33-16 loss at Tampa Bay in Week 4, a game where Barkley only had 10 carries in, he averaged 22.6 carries per game during the next 12 games before Philadelphia rested its starters in the final week of the regular season.

During that stretch he had at least 20 carries in a game eight times and no fewer than 14 carries in a game; over his final 12 games of the regular season, Barkley failed to gain 100 yards in only three games.

Drafted to the New York Giants out of Penn State with the second overall pick in 2018, Barkley tested free agency last off-season and signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with Philadelphia, an NFC East rival of the Giants, last March.

“Me and my family literally had a sheet, we did pros and cons,” Barkley said. “The only con about Philly was I might get some slack because I played in New York. It was a no-brainer for me; the talent we have here, going against those guys, and hearing stories about the organization – and most importantly, the big boys up front.”

Paving the way for Barkley on the offensive line is tackle Jordan Mailata, guard Landon Dickerson, center Cam Jurgens, guard Mekhi Becton and tackle Lane Johnson. Mailata and Johnson have each received All-Pro selections in their careers, including two first-team nods for Johnson, while Dickerson and Jurgens were both named to the Pro Bowl this season.

Mailata, Dickerson and Johnson were on the field when Philadelphia lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII in 2023. Philadelphia’s leading rusher in that game was quarterback Jalen Hurts, who ran for 70 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries.

Kickoff between the Eagles and Chiefs is at 3:30 p.m. The game is being played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.