Saquon Shines In Return to the Big Apple

Written By Bentley Holley

Photo Credit: EaglesWire, USA Today

6 years. 2,184 days. 5,211 yards. 35 touchdowns. Saquon Barkley had numbers that some could only dream of having in a career, in a six-year span during his time with the Giants.

And yet, in his return to East Rutherford, now a member of the division rival Philadelphia Eagles, that time spent, those yards gained, those touchdowns scored, the memories made together, all did not matter. Boos rained down from New York fans as Saquon took his first steps onto the field. It would be one of the few moments of euphoria that Giants fans would feel during this game.

Things did not get off to a crazy start during this game as the Eagles continued their streak of not scoring in the first quarter. However, early in the second quarter, Barkley ripped off a 55-yard run that had MetLife Stadium rocking with boos and cheers alike.

This run would not be the former Giants only highlight of the day against his former team, however, as on that same drive, Barkley pounded the ball in from three yards out to get a revenge touchdown in the stadium where he’d crossed the plane so many times before. This one was different though, as this score would instead put the Eagles up 7-0 following a Jake Elliott point-after attempt.

For the rest of the day, Barkley continued to show Giants ownership why they should be kicking themselves for the way they handled Saquon’s situation, as evidenced by him taking down a handful of Giants defenders on his way to a 42-yard pickup late in the third quarter which would eventually set up the game’s final scoring drive as Philly would go up 28-3.

Barkley finished the game with 176 yards rushing, 187 yards total and a touchdown to cap off the revenge tour, to give the Eagles a 4-2 record. This performance also gave Barkley an Eagles record that put him past franchise legend LeSean McCoy.

While it is unsure what next week could look like against the Cincinnati Bengals, for now, Eagles fans, Saquon, the Eagles and the city of Philadelphia all have reason to celebrate a victory over a division rival.

Bentley Holley
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