Barkley’s Impressive Season: On the Heels of NFL History
This season, Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants is proving to be not only a vital asset to his team but also a potential history-maker in the National Football League. As one of the league's star running backs, Barkley has brought an electrifying presence to the field, showcasing his ability to both rush impressively and break down opposing defenses with ease.
Through the first 12 games of the current season, Barkley has accumulated 1,499 rushing yards. This achievement places him among the top performances in NFL history, specifically ranking eighth for rushing yards in this span of games. His average of 124.9 rushing yards per game sets the perfect pace to challenge long-standing records.
Chasing the Legends
Barkley’s current season performance places him in a league among legends. Jim Brown’s remarkable 1963 season, where he totaled over 1,475 rushing yards and maintained an average of 6.0 yards per carry over the first 12 games, is one that echoes throughout NFL history. Barkley, in comparison, has already surpassed that rushing yardage milestone and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Perhaps the most ambitious target on Barkley’s horizon is the single-season rushing yardage record set by Eric Dickerson, who rushed for 2,105 yards in a season. Achieving this would require Barkley to maintain an average of 121.2 rushing yards for the remainder of the season. Fortunately, his current average exceeds this, suggesting that Dickerson’s record might be well within reach if Barkley continues to deliver at this pace.
Dominating in Yards from Scrimmage
Barkley’s impact isn’t confined to the ground game. His versatility is further highlighted by his league-leading performance in yards from scrimmage, where he averages 147.2 per game. So far, he has amassed a whopping 1,766 yards from scrimmage this season, a testament to his multifaceted skill set that allows him to both rush and catch with proficiency.
Chris Johnson’s record in 2009 of 2,509 yards from scrimmage in a single season stands as the ultimate benchmark for modern NFL running backs. Barkley is on track to challenge this feat as well, with projections estimating that he might finish the season with 2,502 yards from scrimmage — just shy of rewriting the history books.
A League MVP in the Making?
In a league dominated by quarterbacks, the case for a running back like Barkley as the league MVP is undeniably compelling. The last time a running back clinched the MVP title was in 2012, when Adrian Peterson’s phenomenal season earned him the prestigious honor. As Barkley continues to lead by example, sparking hope and delivering victories for the Giants, he too might be in the conversation for this accolade.
Barkley’s accomplishments this season tell the story of a player putting it all together at just the right time. His ability to constantly push the limits and outperform his past is a revelation for the Giants and the NFL. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Barkley, eagerly watching if he will etch his name alongside the legends of the game by season’s end.
For Giants fans, the excitement is palpable as each game presents an opportunity for Barkley to inch closer to breaking records that have stood for decades. Whether chasing Jim Brown’s early-season milestones or eyeing Eric Dickerson and Chris Johnson’s season-long records, Barkley’s campaign promises to be one of the most memorable in recent memory.