When Saquon Barkley steps onto MetLife Stadium's turf this Sunday, he'll be doing so for the first time as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. He won’t only face his former teammates. He'll also face a fierce crowd of New York Giants fans who once cheered him on. For some reason, he thinks he won't be noticed and fans 'don't care'.
That probably isn't true. This Sunday, Saquon will be wearing midnight green and enter the field of play from the visiting locker room.
Former teammate Dexter Lawrence has voiced respect for Barkley. He has also made it clear he’s gearing up for “war” when No. 26 is on the field.
This is war for the Eagles and Giants
Lawrence’s fiery words hint at a Giants team ready to put up a defensive stand, especially after a tough loss to Cincinnati in Week 6.
With New York’s season now hinging on defensive plays following Andrew Thomas’s season-ending injury, the pressure is on Big Blue’s defensive line to step up.
Lawrence is leading the charge so far this season with six sacks, 16 tackles, and ten QB hits. Four of his tackles have resulted in a loss of yardage.
But, let’s not forget that the Eagles have their own motivations. Despite some early-season challenges, they are gradually finding their rhythm, grinding out wins that have put them in a better position than their NFC East rivals.
Looking at Saquon Barkley's 2024 season so far
As for Barkley, he’s not just any former Giant. He's an offensive powerhouse capable of breaking through defensive lines and making explosive plays. As Saquon Barkley gears up to face his former team, he brings some impressive numbers from this season.
Averaging 96.4 rushing yards on 18.2 attempts per game, he’s remained a focal point of the Eagles’ offense, proving his ability to find openings and grind out tough yards.
Barkley has also shown versatility in the passing game, with 14 receptions on 17 targets, totaling 92 receiving yards over five games. His consistent production speaks volumes, especially against defenses that are vulnerable to dynamic running backs.
How has the Giants' defense performed so far in 2024
The Giants' defense has had a rough time containing opposing backs. Currently, they’re allowing the sixth most targets (6.3) and fifth most receptions (5.2) to running backs per game. They have allowed an average of 42.8 receiving yards per game at the position.
On the ground, it’s a similar story. They have given up an average of 81.7 rushing yards on 16.8 attempts per game. With these defensive gaps, Barkley has a prime opportunity to exploit New York’s weaknesses and make a big impact.
This sets up an exciting storyline for Eagles fans to watch unfold.
The expectations have been set.
Eagles fans know he’ll be fired up to show New York why he’s still a force to be reckoned with. Though Lawrence might be ready to face Barkley as ‘just another opponent’, Barkley’s game-changing ability could make him far more than that in this high-stakes rivalry matchup.
For the Birds faithful, Barkley’s return to New Jersey is a chance to watch him silence his critics in style. Whether or not Giants fans welcome him back with boos or cheers, it’s clear this NFC East clash is setting up to be a true battle.
