Getty Image / Gus Stark
With Saquon Barkley having starred at Penn State from 2015-2017, many Philadelphia Eagles fans were already predisposed to love their big free-agent acquisition. After a great Week 1 performance that saw the former Giant score three touchdowns, he quickly became a fan favorite with the rest of the fan base.
But, Saquon Barkley lost a lot of that goodwill on Monday Night Football in Week 2 when he dropped what would’ve been a game-clinching pass wide open in the flat late in the 4th quarter. Thankfully, a monster performance in Week 3 has him back in the good graces of Eagles fans.
In case you missed it, this was the pass that Barkley dropped last week
This Saquon Barkley drop left the door open for the Falcons. They then drove right down the field and scored a game winning touchdown pic.twitter.com/REEv3Gkpgy
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 17, 2024
That’s a pass you cannot drop. The Falcons ended up going down the field and scoring the winning touchdown to stun the Eagles.
But, Saquon Barkley wasted no time atoning for his mistakes. He had a monster Week 3 performance, including this touchdown that put the Eagles ahead in the 4th quarter.
SAQUON BARKLEY 65-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
📺: #PHIvsNO on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/830L0j9R8o— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
Saquon Barkley reached a top speed of 21.66 mph on his 65-yard TD run, the 2nd-fastest play by a ball carrier this season, and fastest on a run play.
🔹 Defenders in the Box: 7
🔹 Expected Rush Yards: 3
🔹 Rush Yards Over Expected: +62#PHIvsNO | @Eagles pic.twitter.com/fjgvvpjdAT— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 22, 2024
For the game, Barkley had 17 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in the final minute after a long pass play to Dallas Goedert. And, he cashed in a clutch two-point conversion in the final minute to make the score 15-12.
On the year he has 73 touches for 405 yards and 5 touchdowns, really impressive numbers through three games. And, Eagles fans are back to loving Saquon Barkley.
@saquon is a pleasure to watch. Guy took a ridiculous amount of abuse from his fanbase and balled out a week later. Class act, great player and happy to have him on the @Eagles
— Smart T. Jones (@exhaustedBS) September 22, 2024
Howie Roseman made the absolutely correct decision in paying Saquon Barkley.
The guy is a game-changer. Has been incredible through his first 3 games as an Eagle.
The defense will get the shine today but Saquon also saved this game.#FlyEaglesFly
— RB (@RBPhillyTake) September 22, 2024
I lost my voice.
Saquon is incredible
— Shaq (@ShaqMitchell) September 22, 2024
Saquon Barkley and the Eagles will look to keep it going in Tampa next week against the Buccaneers.