Eagles Optimistic: Saquon Barkley Faces Struggles Ahead of Giants Clash
The Philadelphia Eagles are optimistic about their upcoming match against the New York Giants. Star running back Saquon Barkley faces challenges ahead of the clash at Lincoln Financial Field. In their previous meeting in Week 6, Barkley struggled, rushing for only 58 yards. This performance highlighted his ongoing difficulties during his second season with the Eagles.
Saquon Barkley’s Struggles
This season, Barkley has not crossed the 100-yard mark in any of the Eagles’ seven games. Despite averaging 109.4 rushing yards throughout his first seven games in 2024, his performance has dipped significantly, with an average of just 52.7 yards per game in 2025.
Optimism for Improvement
Despite these challenges, there is optimism at the NovaCare Complex. The Eagles’ offensive strategy showed signs of improvement during their recent game against the Minnesota Vikings. The shift to an under-center, play-action approach injected new life into their offense.
Defensive Adjustments and Challenges
One major obstacle for Barkley and the Eagles’ run game has been the adjustment in defensive strategies. Defenses are employing heavier formations against the Eagles. This season, they face a light box only 36.8% of the time, ranking 29th in the NFL. In comparison, last season’s rate was 44.9%, which was 15th in the league.
- Barkley averaged only 3.3 yards per carry this season.
- He ranks 36th out of 40 qualifying running backs in expected points added.
- A significant portion, 18.6%, of his carries have resulted in negative yardage.
Run Schemes and Execution
The Eagles primarily utilize zone blocking schemes. However, with defenses applying pressure through heavy fronts, the execution of these runs has faltered. Barkley has been forced to navigate through challenging situations. Adjustments like incorporating gap scheme runs, which prominently utilize pullers, could help revive the running game.
Efforts to incorporate more under-center plays have increased. In their matchup against Minnesota, 41% of plays were executed from this formation, a significant rise from 14% in previous games. This shift is anticipated to create better opportunities for both the run and passing games.
Looking Ahead
As the Eagles gear up for their rematch against the Giants, they are focusing on fine-tuning their strategies. Even with A.J. Brown ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Barkley remains determined to impact the game positively.
Barkley acknowledges his responsibility in the run game, expressing his desire to improve despite setbacks this season. He emphasized the importance of efficiency and better decision-making on the field.
With a challenging season so far, the Eagles remain focused on leveraging their potential and transforming their strategies into successful outcomes. Fans will be watching closely to see if Barkley can overcome his struggles and help lead the Eagles to victory against the Giants.
