Eagles’ Barkley is the Real Star of the Show as Philly Wins Big
Saquon Barkley has been the sparkplug for the Eagles all season, and Sunday’s win was no exception. He was the opener, feature act, and show-closing headliner, producing a season deserving of top billing. With his first touch, he sparked the Eagles’ offense, finding the end zone twice in the first half. He broke off a 22-yard run to set up a Jalen Hurts touchdown in the fourth and capped it off with another 4-yard score, sending the Eagles back to the Super Bowl.
Barkley’s teammates were left speechless, with Jordan Mailata calling him “special” and A.J. Brown saying he “means everything to this team, to this city.” Lane Johnson compared Barkley to playing Madden, saying he’s a great teammate who makes good things happen.
The beauty of the win was the collective effort, with Barkley leading the charge. He and Hurts both found the end zone three times, with Hurts scoring twice on the play known as the Tush Push or Brotherly Shove. But it was Barkley’s block on Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu that allowed Hurts to score on the outside.
The play exemplified the collaborative execution that has propelled the Eagles to new heights. Brown and Mailata’s blocks created an alley for Barkley to sprint through, and he evaded three defenders on his way to the end zone. The team’s effort was evident in each of the Brotherly Shoves, including the fourth-quarter sequence that repeatedly drew the Commanders offsides, prompting referee Shawn Hochuli to make a rare announcement.
In the end, Barkley’s performance was a testament to his greatness, and his teammates know it. “We needed him to continue doing his thing, keep balling, and we’re going to keep going,” Brown said.
