The chants had been unmistakable — and really loud.
Flocks of Eagles followers caught round after Philadelphia’s 26-18 residence victory over the Washington Commanders on Thursday evening and expressed their gratitude to the workforce that allow Saquon Barkley stroll away.
“Thank you, Giants!” the followers roared in unison, interrupting Barkley’s postgame interview with Amazon’s Prime Video.
The mocking refrain got here after the do-it-all Barkley totaled 198 yards and two touchdowns, serving to the 8-2 Eagles lengthen their lead atop the NFC East.
Barkley’s huge sport as soon as once more renewed the eye across the Giants’ determination to let the operating again depart in the course of the offseason for a three-year, $37.8 million contract with their hated rival.
Barkley, 27, now leads the NFL with 1,137 dashing yards by way of 10 video games. He’s averaging 5.8 yards per carry and has 10 whole touchdowns.
"Thank you, Giants."
Eagles followers love Saquon Barkley. pic.twitter.com/COjYrwJcko
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) November 15, 2024
He has already been named the NFC’s Offensive Participant of the Week 3 times this season and might be in line for the glory once more, relying on what occurs within the video games between now and Monday evening.
And Eagles followers are appreciative.
Drafted second total in 2018 by the earlier Giants regime, Barkley hit free company in March after a drawn-out saga that noticed him play on the franchise tag final season.
An extended-term contract extension by no means got here. Basic supervisor Joe Schoen allowed Barkely to check the open market, then declined to make him a closing provide, as documented on HBO’s offseason version of “Hard Knocks.”
Final month, the Bronx-born Barkely rushed for a season-high 176 yards and a landing in a 28-3 win over the Giants in his return to MetLife Stadium.
“It’s not about doing it to them. It’s not about that,” Barkley, who performed six seasons with the Giants, advised the Every day Information afterward. “The great thing about it’s I really feel like that monkey is off my again. I believe it’s the final time I’ve acquired to speak in regards to the Giants, ya really feel me?”
The Giants spent most of their cash this offseason to increase cross rusher Brian Burns after buying him in a commerce with Carolina, and to enhance their offensive line with the signings of guard Jon Runyan Jr. and sort out Jermaine Eluemunor.
Total, the Giants have run the ball higher this season, averaging 4.4 yards per carry in comparison with 4.1 final yr. Rookie operating again Tyrone Tracy has been a shiny spot throughout a disappointing season for the 2-8 Giants, operating for 545 yards and averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
Barkley averaged solely 3.9 yards per carry final season as the point of interest of a Giants offense full of points, and he has a major damage historical past.
However the Giants are averaging an NFL-worst 15.6 factors per sport this yr, they usually’ve managed solely 27 performs of 20 yards or extra. Barkley alone has 13 this season.
Increasingly groups are opting towards making long-term commitments to operating backs, viewing these on the place as largely replaceable and liable to put on down earlier than they flip 30.
However elite operating backs — together with San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey, Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor and Baltimore’s Derrick Henry — proceed to show their influence transcends the place.
Barkley meets that normal, too.
