Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has set a new single-season rushing yards record for regular season and playoffs combined — on his 28th birthday, no less.
Barkley’s two-yard run in the second quarter of Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs put him ahead of Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis’ mark of 2,476 yards, which came in the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl season of 1998.
“It’s special,” Barkley said earlier this week of the opportunity to break the rushing record. “I can’t do it without my teammates. … The record is cool and all, but the main thing is winning the Super Bowl. That’s our mindset.”
During Philadelphia’s playoff run, which has seen the Eagles reach the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons, the running back has had two games with multiple touchdowns. Additionally, Barkley has had three postseason rushing touchdowns of at least 60 yards. (might have to update this after) Since 1994, no other player has had multiple such runs in the playoffs throughout their entire careers, let alone in a single postseason. Entering the Super Bowl, Barkley has rushed for 442 yards and five touchdowns in the playoffs.
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This comes on the heels of a magnificent regular season that saw Barkley rush for a league-leading 2,005 yards. Despite having a shot in Week 18 at the regular season rushing record, currently at 2,105 held by Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, Barkley sat out the final game of the regular season. He also added 13 rushing touchdowns in his first season with the Eagles after spending six seasons with the New York Giants, a fellow NFC East team. In his time with the Giants, Barkley played in just two playoff games. He has surpassed that in one year with the Eagles with Super Bowl LIX serving as his fourth postseason game of the season.
Barkley was named the AP Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday. Additionally, he was also a first-team All-Pro selection and chosen for his third Pro Bowl this season.
Top six rushing seasons (combined regular season/playoffs):
1-Barkley, Eagles in 2024: 2,478 yards in 20 games (enters Super Bowl at 2,447 yards)
2-Davis, Broncos in 1998: 2,476 yards in 19 games
3-Davis, Broncos in 1997: 2,331 yards in 19 games
4-Dickerson, Los Angeles Rams in 1984: 2,212 yards in 17 games
5-Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings in 2012: 2,196 yards in 17 games
6-Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens in 2024: 2,191 yards in 19 games
Required reading
(Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
