The New York Giants enter Week 6 under a clear warning from their $90 million defensive tackle, Dexter Lawrence. Speaking Tuesday, October 7, via the team’s official transcript, Lawrence addressed the most significant danger ahead of Thursday Night Football: letting Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley find his form. Barkley’s quiet start to 2025 hasn’t erased his game-breaking reputation, and for Lawrence, preventing that breakout is non-negotiable.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) speaks at a press conference during day one of the New York Giants training camp at Quest Diagnostics Giants Training Center in East Rutherford on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Lawrence’s concern arises from Barkley’s past. In 2024, Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards. He had 17 runs of more than 20 yards and seven over 40 yards. This season, however, he has only 267 rushing yards in five games. He hasn’t exceeded 90 rushing yards or 100 total yards in any game.. His longest run so far? Seventeen yards.
The downturn has sparked a debate over whether last year’s heavy workload of 345 carries is taking its toll or if new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s usage has muted his explosiveness.
For the Giants’ defense, the numbers don’t make Barkley less dangerous. Lawrence emphasized the importance of discipline on Thursday, making it clear that the unit cannot underestimate him despite the slow start:
“You don’t want to be the team to let him get hot. So, you’ve got to stay disciplined Thursday and go win.”
Philadelphia’s first-season loss adds urgency to Barkley’s rebound bid. In Week 6, Barkley had six carries for 30 yards against New York, his lowest carry total since Week 11, 2021, when returning from injury. Giants safety Tyler Nubin told theNew York Post on October 7 he expects the Eagles to adjust their game plan to restore Barkley’s impact:
“When you don’t get your best guy involved and don’t get the result that you want, obviously things are gonna change. Definitely ready for that.”
If the Giants’ defense does what Lawrence wants, Barkley won’t make progress against them. The margin for error is slim, and Thursday night will show if discipline is more important than risk.