Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs off the field after win against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

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Saquon Barkley makes NFL history as 9th RB to rush for 2,000 yards in a season

Saquon Barkley joins NFL’s elite 2,000-yard club

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley joined an elite group on Sunday, becoming the ninth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. Barkley crossed the milestone during the Eagles’ dominant 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, clinching the NFC East title in the process.

Saquon Barkley’s performance against the Cowboys

Barkley entered Week 17 with 1,838 rushing yards, needing 162 yards to hit the 2,000-yard mark. He delivered with a standout performance, rushing 31 times for 167 yards. His 23-yard run in the fourth quarter pushed him past the milestone, earning a standing ovation as head coach Nick Sirianni called a timeout to honor his achievement.

Saquon Barkley is now the ninth running back in NFL history to go over 2,000 rushing yards in a season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2024

After that carry, Barkley was taken out of the game, finishing the day with 2,005 yards for the season. With one game left in the regular season, he is just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set in 1984.

The exclusive 2,000-yard club

Barkley joins these legendary running backs in the 2,000-yard club:

Eric Dickerson: 2,105 yards (1984)
Adrian Peterson: 2,097 (2012)
Jamal Lewis: 2,066 (2003)
Barry Sanders: 2,053 (1997)
Derrick Henry: 2,027 (2020)
Terrell Davis: 2,008 (1998)
Chris Johnson: 2,006 (2009)
O.J. Simpson: 2,003 (1973)

Barkley is the first to achieve this milestone while playing for a team other than the one that originally drafted him. He signed with the Eagles in the offseason after spending five seasons with the New York Giants.

The road ahead: Rest or record?

With Philadelphia locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, the question remains whether Sirianni will allow Barkley to chase Dickerson’s record in Week 18 against the Giants, his former team. Barkley, however, appears unfazed by the decision.

“I’m not overtly trying to get it,” Barkley said after the game. “I’m not scared of it. But we’ve got bigger things we’re focused on. Whether we play next week or rest, I’m fine with that. I didn’t sign here just to break a record. I want to do something special with the team.”

SAQUON BARKLEY SOARS TO 2,000+ RUSHING YARDS IN HIS FIRST YEAR AS AN EAGLE 🦅

1 OF 1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4YDVBSeuoY
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 29, 2024

If Barkley does play, it would add a layer of poetic justice, giving him the chance to set the record against the team that let him walk in free agency.

A season for the history books

This season has been nothing short of historic for Saquon Barkley. In addition to surpassing 2,000 rushing yards, he recorded 11 games with over 100 yards on the ground. Despite sharing red zone opportunities with quarterback Jalen Hurts, Barkley has firmly positioned himself as a candidate for MVP and the NFL rushing title.

“At the end of the day, my name would be the one that goes across with 2,000, but like I said, can’t do it without those guys,” Barkley told FOX postgame, crediting his offensive line and teammates. “That’s something we said we wanted to do from the beginning—do something special.”

Image: Imagn

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Eric dickerson saquon barkley

Saquon Barkley

Saquon barkley 2000 yards

Natasha Bose

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