EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Saquon Barkley not too long ago did some analysis, finding out the NFL file guide as if he have been making ready for a recreation.
The New York Giants operating again was curious as to what a few of the biggest gamers at his place achieved within the playoffs. He sat wide-eyed as names corresponding to Emmitt Smith, Eric Dickerson, Franco Harris and John Riggins jumped off the web page — all Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers who cemented their marks when it counted most.
Barkley hopes to run his approach onto these lists sometime as one of many recreation’s all-time finest.
“You’ve received to do it in each — common season and postseason — all through your complete profession,” Barkley stated this week. “There’s going to be ups, there’s going to be downs, however you’ve received to attempt to be a constant participant.
“You wish to create a legacy. You have a look at all of the Giants greats — they did it within the postseason.”
The 25-year-old Barkley received his first style of playoff soccer in his fifth season with the Giants, serving to New York to a 31-24 victory in Minnesota final Sunday. He ran for 2 touchdowns, gained 53 yards on 9 carries and likewise caught 5 passes for 56 yards.
Barkley may add to his postseason numbers Saturday night time within the Giants’ NFC divisional spherical recreation in opposition to the Eagles in Philadelphia.
“Yeah, that’s further motivation, however once you’re trying again and truly enjoying in my first playoff recreation — there’s nothing that even involves thoughts,” Barkley stated. “You’re simply so locked in, so targeted as a result of each play, each quarter is so essential. The state of affairs turns into so vital as a result of it’s one recreation. In case you don’t care for one recreation, you go dwelling. That’s actually what pushes you — your aggressive nature simply goes to a complete one other stage.
“Your depth simply rises due to the character of the sport.”
Barkley led the NFC in dashing in the course of the common season, ending fourth within the league with a career-high 1,312 yards. He was a workhorse early with 20 or extra dashing makes an attempt six occasions within the Giants’ first 9 video games whereas they tried to search out consistency on offense.
“I by no means thought I needed to do all the things,” Barkley stated. “I believe it speaks to the teaching workers, to the gamers. Our id modified all through the season. We’re a staff that may run the ball 30, 40 occasions. We’ve accomplished that. We’re a staff that may throw the ball 40 occasions.
“I really feel it speaks to myself as a flexible participant. I can run in between the tackles. I really feel like when you give me an area, I may be harmful in house and assist us on the market.”
Barkley’s position modified within the second half of the season when Daniel Jones emerged as one of many recreation’s finest dual-threat quarterbacks. It lifted a few of the workload off Barkley and made the Giants an much more harmful and productive offense.
Towards the Vikings, Jones truly out-carried Barkley 17-9 and outgained him on the bottom by 25 yards whereas setting a franchise postseason file for yards dashing by a quarterback.
It might be a distinct story Saturday night time in opposition to Philadelphia’s stout line of defense, which has helped energy a move rush that generated 70 sacks in the course of the common season — third most in NFL historical past.
“They’re laborious to dam,” coach Brian Daboll stated. “They will cease the run. They’ve received quite a lot of actually good gamers. They use them properly.”
That might make Barkley the X-factor in opposition to the Eagles due to his capability to take action many issues out of the backfield. However he hasn’t run for greater than 92 yards within the 5 video games he has performed in opposition to Philadelphia since two 100-yard performances in opposition to them as a rookie in 2018.
“You’ve received to be above the Xs and O’s,” Barkley stated. “They’re going to scheme it as much as get you one-on-one and also you’ve received to discover a strategy to create the additional yards. Whether or not it’s the toss (transfer) or spin or utilizing velocity or no matter, I really feel like that’s what separates me from quite a lot of different backs. And hopefully I can proceed to point out that all through the remainder of the playoffs.”
Barkley’s future with the Giants past Saturday night time is unsure as a result of he’s scheduled to be a free agent this offseason. None of that issues to him now, although.
It’s all about including to his Giants legacy Saturday night time — and serving to ship one other playoff win.
“I’m chillin’,” Barkley stated. “I’m simply locked in. That’s actually it.”
NOTES: OLB Azeez Ojulari (quadriceps) was listed as questionable on the Giants’ remaining damage report Thursday after he was restricted at follow. … S/LB Landon Collins (ankle), WR Isaiah Hodgins (ankle), S Julian Love (hamstring) and CB Fabian Moreau (hip) have been restricted however anticipated to play.
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