Saquon Barkley, the electrifying running back for the New York Giants, is carving out a historic season with his remarkable second-half performances on the gridiron. This year, Barkley has set his sights on an ambitious goal: becoming the first running back in over a decade to hoist the coveted NFL MVP trophy. While the competition is fierce, Barkley’s current campaign is turning heads with its unprecedented excellence.
A Season Like No Other
Barkley’s exploits this season are nothing short of extraordinary. He has amassed a staggering 1,392 rushing yards, with a substantial portion—920 yards—accumulated during the second half of games. This formidable display underlines his prowess as a clutch performer, showcasing an average of 7.9 yards per carry in the latter stages of matches. Such figures represent a level of second-half dominance unseen in the NFL for the past 30 years.
The legendary Barry Sanders is often mentioned in the same breath as Barkley thanks to the latter's 1997 campaign where Sanders averaged 6.9 yards per carry. Barkley has surpassed this benchmark, underscoring his explosive potential and consistent excellence as he grinds defenses down over the course of a game. With 116 second-half carries to his name this season, Barkley has found the end zone seven times, spotlighting his effectiveness when it matters most.
The Barkley Effect
Beyond the sheer numbers, it's Barkley’s impact on the field that has been instrumental for the Giants. His second-half performance has been so potent that he has outpaced the combined second-half rushing totals of other notable backs such as Chuba Hubbard and Najee Harris. This dominance has propelled Barkley to the position of the NFL's fourth-leading rusher based solely on his second-half contributions.
As for team dynamics, Barkley's innate ability to adjust and capitalize on opportunities as they arise cannot be overstated. Lane Johnson acknowledges the complexities of in-game adjustments, saying, "There's a lot of stuff you can game plan through throughout the week, and then, you know, you get to the game and they may show up in a different defense. You have to make those adjustments after each series and like halftime, you know, some plays that maybe don't run the first half, run the second half." These adjustments are crucial to Barkley’s success, as he adapts to challenges and exploits weaknesses in opposing defenses.
Grinding it Out
The determination shown by Barkley and his team in the running game is echoed by Mekhi Becton, who notes, "Like the run game isn't always gonna hit off the first run. It's one of those things where we gotta keep going and going and wait for it to just hit. I feel like we've done that every game this year." This persistence pays off in the latter parts of games, where Barkley’s relentless style wears down defenses, eventually leading to big plays.
Kellen Moore further underlines this philosophy, “I do think there is an element of -- we pride ourselves on being a really physical run game, and those things wear on you as the game goes on when you get the opportunities we get. And the way the games have played out, you can keep grinding it out as the second half progresses, and those big plays eventually pop.” Barkley's patience and physicality set the stage for some of the most memorable running plays we've seen in recent years.
Comparative Performance
Even against the league-leading Philadelphia Eagles, who average 118.8 second-half and overtime rushing yards per game, Barkley's exploits stand out. The Eagles have their own impressive second-half rushing average of 5.9 yards per carry, but Barkley's individual figures surpass these, highlighting his unique contribution to the game.
As the season progresses, Saquon Barkley continues to defy expectations and push the envelope for what a running back can achieve. With each game, he edges closer to realizing not just personal records, but potentially claiming one of the NFL’s highest personal accolades. His presence on the field not only boosts the New York Giants but also revitalizes the spirit of running backs across the league. While the road to an MVP award is fraught with challenges, Saquon Barkley’s 2023 season is building a narrative that will long be remembered in the annals of football history.