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Saquon Barkley’s ‘fresh start’ just what the Eagles needed after last year’s epic collapse

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Saquon Barkley’s ‘fresh start’ just what the Eagles needed after last year’s epic collapse

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Philadelphia Eagles are flying high again after 12 weeks. They were in a similar position last season before going in a downward spiral. Is this year different?

Based on the way Saquon Barkley’s performing in his first season in Philly − it is.

“He’s a hell of a player… I know we’re fortunate to have him,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said. “He’s playing his tail off, and he’s having fun… He added a new dimension for us.”

Barkley was the undisputed best player on the field during the Eagles’ 37-20 Sunday Night Football win over the Los Angeles Rams.

The versatile running back rushed for an astounding career-high 255 yards and two touchdowns. His 255 rushing yards set an Eagles franchise record and it’s the ninth highest single-game rushing total in NFL history. He produced 302 yards from scrimmage. He’s the 12th player in NFL history to top 300 yards, and the first Eagles player to achieve the mark, per NFL research. The Eagles had 481 total yards as a team.

“When you have the type of quickness (and) lateral movement, that Saquon has, with the ability to accelerate and speed to finish, and the power to break through an arm tackle,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “He’s got everything you look for in a back. He’s been awesome and he was awesome tonight.”

Barkley had touchdown runs of 70 and 72 yards in the second half.

“He’ll find a seam and, you know, he just has that ability to do dynamic things,” Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson said to USA TODAY Sports. “I was proud of him.”

Barkley now leads the NFL with a career single-season high 1,392 rushing yards, and the Eagles still have six more regular season games left on their schedule.

“To be honest, I’m not surprised. I didn’t know I’d have this much success,” Barkley said postgame. “I keep thinking that God’s been blessing me a lot, a ton to be honest. I’m thankful to be here and thankful for the fresh start.”

Barkley’s “fresh start” in Philadelphia has been everything the Eagles hoped for when the team signed him over the offseason. He’s helped the Eagles notched their seventh straight victory and build a comfortable lead in the NFC East.

The Eagles were 10-1 after Week 12 last season and collapsed down the stretch, losing six of their last seven games, including a wild card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The collapse led to a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Chemistry issues ultimately caused the Eagles’ 2023 downfall. The Eagles’ Week 13 blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers in 2023 was the turning point that precipitated their downward spiral.  

The Eagles haven’t forgotten last year. They say they’ve learned from the past.

“You saw last year what not to do. Couldn’t adjust,” Johnson said. “Remember where we were last year. You know, it’s not to scare, it’s just to bring awareness and to not let complacency grow.”

The biggest change from last year, though, is Barkley. MVP chants rained down on the running back after his record-setting performance at SoFi Stadium. The Eagles are a tough team to beat with an MVP candidate in the backfield.

“I think this is the spot where I can kind of rewrite my story,” Barkley said. “I feel like I can show everyone the type of player I feel like I can be and was meant to be, and it’s working out right now.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

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