With nothing meaningful on the line in Week 18, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni faced a pivotal decision: Allow Saquon Barkley to chase NFL history or prioritize keeping his star running back fresh for the playoffs.
Barkley, who surpassed the 2,000-yard rushing mark in Sunday’s NFC East-clinching 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, now sits just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record (2,105 yards). His dominant performance — 31 carries, 167 yards and two touchdowns — was instrumental in securing the division crown.
But now we know the deal. It is a huge move. And not all of the critics like it.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley
© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The achievement would be historic, as Barkley is only the ninth player in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards in a single season. But while the record is tantalizing, Sirianni remains focused on the bigger picture: postseason success.
“I'll talk to our staff. I'll talk to the players. I'll talk to (general manager) Howie (Roseman). I'll talk to Mr. Lurie. I'll talk to everybody to try and make sure I'm making the best decision for the football team,” Sirianni said in an interview with 94WIP in Philadelphia before making the Wednesday decision that starters will sit this weekend.
The Eagles have already locked up the NFC’s No. 2 seed, with their path to the No. 1 spot dependent on the outcome of Sunday night’s Vikings-Lions showdown. This flexibility gives Sirianni the option to limit Barkley's playing time or, perhaps, allow him to play sparingly — a quarter or a half — to chase the record without risking overexposure.
While individual milestones are worth celebrating, Philadelphia’s ultimate goal remains a Super Bowl title. Protecting Barkley, arguably their most important offensive weapon, will likely take precedence over personal accolades.
The Eagles will face the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field in their regular-season finale, aiming to complete a season sweep and maintain momentum heading into the postseason. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.
