The Philadelphia Eagles had a 14-point lead over the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of Week 5 and found a way to lose the game.
Media members hammered the coaching staff, particularly the offense, for a lack of creativity and for failing to utilize superstar running back Saquon Barkley to control possession and the clock down the stretch in what ultimately became Philadelphia’s first defeat of the season.
Barkley spoke to reporters after the game, who asked him questions along those lines. The running back’s response was blunt, even if not necessarily concise.
“I don’t really know what you want,” Barkley said, per the “Dominique Foxworth Show” that aired on Monday. “If I touch the ball too much sometimes, we’re not throwing it enough. If we throw it too much, and I only have nine touches — I’m not in the business of, ‘what are we doing enough?’ I’m in the business of winning football games. We didn’t win the football game. With nine touches, we had the opportunity to win the football game still. We weren’t detailed enough, too many mistakes, too many penalties.”
There’s no denying the fact that Barkley’s numbers have plummeted since the dream season he produced in 2024. He led the NFL in rushing with 2,005 yards on 345 carries. He added 13 touchdowns on the ground along with 33 receptions for 278 yards and two scores.
The Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl, and Barkley finished the year as a Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro, the AP Offensive Player of the Year and third in MVP voting.
To earn all of those accolades, including the postseason success, Barkley racked up nearly 500 touches. Because of that, several analysts predicted he might slow down early in 2025, which has proven the case thus far.
Barkley has rushed the football 83 times for 267 yards and two touchdowns across five games played this season. He also has 17 catches for 128 yards and one score. He logged just six carries and three receptions against Denver on Sunday.
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