Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame recently ranked the top trios in the NFL, placing the Philadelphia Eagles' combination of Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown second behind the Baltimore Ravens’ group of Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers. While Verderame acknowledged the Eagles “have a strong case for the top spot,” a deeper dive into the numbers reveals Philadelphia's trio doesn’t just have a case — they’ve built an overwhelming argument for the No. 1 ranking.
The foundation of this argument starts with Saquon Barkley’s historic 2024 campaign. Verderame praised Barkley for having “an MVP-caliber year with 2,005 rushing yards, taking home Offensive Player of the Year honors,” but the full scope of Barkley’s dominance deserves even more recognition. He became just the ninth player in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards and set an Eagles franchise record with 5.8 yards per carry among backs with at least 100 attempts.
What made Barkley’s season especially remarkable was his ability to elevate his game in critical moments. In the postseason alone, he rushed for 442 yards on an absurd 6.7 yards per carry, scoring five touchdowns — three of which were runs of 60 or more yards. For context, Barkley rushed for 222 more yards than the entire New York Giants roster last season and matched their total touchdown production in one fewer game. He earned 35 first-place votes for Offensive Player of the Year and finished third in MVP voting with 120 points.
A.J. Brown continues to assert himself as one of the NFL’s most consistent and dynamic wide receivers. Despite missing three games due to injury, he finished with 67 catches for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns — marking his third straight 1,000-yard season. While Verderame called Brown “a top-10 receiver most years,” that description undervalues his impact. Brown has become a primary option in championship-caliber offenses, excelling in route running and clutch performances.
Jalen Hurts’ numbers might appear modest at first glance — 2,903 passing yards with 630 more on the ground — but those stats paint only part of the picture. Hurts’ dual-threat ability continues to confound defenses, and his Super Bowl MVP performance — 221 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 72 rushing yards and a rushing score — proved his value in the biggest moments. Hurts is now one of just four starting quarterbacks to win both a Super Bowl and a national title, joining an elite fraternity.
Baltimore’s trio certainly warrants praise. Jackson made history with a 40-touchdown, four-interception season and became the first quarterback with 4,000 passing yards and 900 rushing yards in a single year. Henry posted over 2,000 yards from scrimmage, while Flowers broke out with a Pro Bowl-caliber 1,000-yard season. The Ravens became the first team ever with 40 passing and 20 rushing touchdowns while surpassing 4,000 passing and 3,000 rushing yards.
But what separates the Eagles’ trio is their complementary nature and collective chemistry. Barkley’s dominant ground game opens up play-action for Hurts, who uses his mobility and vision to exploit defenses. Brown’s elite route-running makes him a go-to target, especially in tight situations. The balance between power, precision and playmaking makes this group nearly impossible to stop.
Philadelphia’s trio also offers remarkable versatility. Barkley can dominate between the tackles or bounce outside. Brown lines up across formations and consistently wins one-on-one matchups. Hurts’ ability to beat teams through the air and on the ground makes him one of the most complete quarterbacks in the NFL. Their adaptability fuels a multi-dimensional offense that keeps defenses guessing every snap.
Verderame was right to highlight both trios as elite, but Philadelphia’s statistical dominance and championship performance put them in a league of their own. Hurts, Barkley and Brown aren’t just top-tier players — they’re the new standard. When evaluating the best offensive trios in the NFL, the Eagles’ big three isn’t chasing anyone. They’re the ones being chased.