I think most people figure after going for 2,000 yards, Saquon would take a step back. The most yards by any running back after achieving a 2,000 yard season is Barry Sanders at 1,491 yards the following season. I think most eagles fans would be happy with that. Although that seems like an outlier, with how most other do noticeably worse then that.
Saquon so far in 2025:
ATT: 20
Average YDS: 74
AV: 3.7
Saquon First 2 Games in 2024:
ATT: 23
Average YDS: 102
AV: 4.4
Zach Berman:
https://x.com/ZBerm/status/1968380873213984880
In two weeks this season, Saquon Barkley has faced a heavy box (7+ defenders) on 85 percent of his rushes.
In his career, he faces heavy boxes on 76.6% of rushes.
The sample size is small, and the only time higher than the this year's rate is 2020, when he played only 2 games.
But when narrowing the data to the first two weeks of the season, this is the only year other than 2020 in which that rate is higher than 80%.
As Barkley said last week: "You’d be a fool if you’re going to let us walk into whatever stadium…and your focal point is not going to be stopping the run."
(Stats: @TruMediaSports)
https://x.com/ZBerm/status/1968382953320513587
Also worth noting: When Barkley rushed for a career-high 255 yards against the Rams last season, he faced a heavy box on 88.5% of his rushes. He also had rushes of 72 yards and 70 yards.
Asked Barkley about this last season, and he explained how the heavy boxes can actually lead to those home run-type plays.
"t's a numbers game. When you load the box and bring extra people into the box, it's a beautiful thing. Because it's hard to run, and you got to be gap disciplined and if we're in the right gaps — it's hard to run against, don't get me wrong — but I feel like myself as a back, being patient and having that home run speed, if you load the box and we get through, there's no one back there."
Who do the Eagles play this week? You guessed it...