He’s Gotta Be On Something…Right?
Apparently, the NFL thought it was unusually unique too…
We have heard NFL news and stories before of players getting “randomly” drug tested by the league after doing something superhuman on the field in the previous game. The latest example is a great one after Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley pulled off his backward hurdle against the Jaguars on Sunday, a candidate for the coolest play of the season:
SAQUON BARKLEY IS NOT OF THIS WORLD.
📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/UtCENDw6no— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
The way he just casually lines up the defender before cleanly jumping right over him is unlike anything I have ever seen before in the NFL. Adding to the lore of the play is this reaction video of his teammates on the sideline, who also lose it when Barkley pulls off his move:
Eagles players reactions to Saquon Barkley’s backwards hurdle is hilarious
— LandonTengwall (@landon_tengwall) November 5, 2024
Apparently, the NFL thought it was unusually unique too as Barkley has said that he was drug tested right after the game.
EVEN THE #NFL COULD NOT BELIEVE SAQUON BARLEY DID A REVERSE HURDLE.
“I got drug tested right after the game”
🤯
(Via @WhistleSports)pic.twitter.com/lHwUCX1Yjl
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 7, 2024
If this version of Barkley showed up more often with the Giants, no one would have ever questioned the Giants using such a high pick on him in 2018 and paying the big bucks to extend him (which they declined this year). He is having a career year with the Eagles.
Is Barkley the Offensive Player of the Year?
The battle for Offensive Player of the Year in the NFL this season seems to be coming down to veteran running backs on new teams in Derrick Henry (Ravens) and Saquon Barkley (Eagles). Henry had the edge in yards and touchdowns going into Week 10, but he may have left an opening for Barkley to surpass him this weekend when the Eagles face the Cowboys in Dallas.
Derrick Henry is still King!👑
He leads all RBs in
Rush Yards (1,052)
Total TDs (13)
Fantasy PPG (22.4)
Explosive Play Rating/EPX (126)
Explosive Plays (20)
Breakaway Runs (13)All at Age 30🤯 pic.twitter.com/EaFBZ7CGUr
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) November 7, 2024
When you look at Saquon Barkley stats this season, he has been dynamic and consistent. He’s rushed for at least 84 yards in every game except for his 47-yard effort against the Browns.
But he’s also had some monster games with 176 rushing yards against his former team in New York, 199 yards from scrimmage against Jacksonville (plus one reverse hurdle), and 147 rushing yards in a comeback win against the Saints.
Saquon Barkely was worth the money.
Saquon Barkely was always worth the money.— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 7, 2024
Those playing NFL player props probably wish Barkley had a few more touchdowns this year, but that number is lower because of how good his quarterback (Jalen Hurts) is on those short runs with the Tush Push. Barkley still has eight touchdowns, easily putting him on pace for a career-high. But leading the league in yards from scrimmage should be within reach for Barkley.
Eagles Have a Big Month Coming Up
The Eagles have barely been in any national games this year, including no island games since Week 2 when they lost to Atlanta and Barkley had that dropped pass late in the game. But they are playing much better football, and when you look at the upcoming NFL schedule, the Eagles are about to take on a much bigger role in the storyline of the 2024 NFL season.
They play the Cowboys this week, then next Thursday we’ll see a huge NFC East game when they host Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. These are big opportunities for Barkley to shine in NFL games that should go a long way in deciding the NFC East winner this year.
🗣️ IT’S DALLAS WEEK pic.twitter.com/ik1f7w7kmT
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 8, 2024
But it’s cool to see Barkley get away from the Giants and on a real offense like the Eagles. He’s finally getting to shine.
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