Saquon Barkley sets new NFL record, sends Eagles into NFC Championship

It was the Saquon Show in snowy Philadelphia on Sunday. The Eagles are returning to the NFC Championship Game, largely due to a spectacular effort from former Penn State football star Saquon Barkley.

The ex-Nittany Lion had a game-high 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles defeated the Los Angeles Rams 28-22. Barkley went streaking across the snow-covered Lincoln Financial Field turf for two 60-plus-yard scores: a 62-yard dash in the first quarter, followed by a 78-yard run to put Philadelphia up 15 with 4:36 remaining.

SAQUON BARKLEY 78 YARDS GOOOOODBYE!

📺: #LARvsPHI on NBC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/88LvtJoEFa

— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2025

Barkley now has six rushing touchdowns of over 60 yards this season, breaking the previous record of four jointly held by Adrian Peterson (2012) and Jim Brown (1963).

Former Penn State football star has MVP in his sights

© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Following up on a 255-yard rushing performance against Los Angeles in November, Barkley now has 534 yards from scrimmage against the Rams this season.

“The elements was great, but the atmosphere was even better,” Barkley told reporters after the game. “Our fans were amazing. That was a close one, but that’s playoff football. And at the end of the day, we got the job done.”

The Eagles will host the NFC Championship Game next Sunday against the Washington Commanders. Another opportunity for the former Penn State football star to shine, Barkley has a combined 296 rushing yards and four touchdowns in two games against the divisional foe this year.

“It feels amazing. Like I said, this is the reason why I came here,” Barkley said of the opportunity.

Winner of the Bert Bell Professional Player of the Year Award from the Maxwell Football Club this week, Saquon Barkley now looks to become the first running back in 14 seasons to be named NFL MVP. Including the playoffs, Barkley has rushed for 2,329 yards and 15 touchdowns this year.

The MVP will be named at the NFL Honors ceremony on February 8.

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