It's been quite a year for NFL players who like to jet off on the gridiron. Three of the NFL's top five MVP candidates have that quality in common - Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Saquon Barkley.
Barkley was part of a host of major running back changes in the league after he hit free agency and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal. Since then, Barkley has breathed new life into an Eagles team looking to make another trip to the Super Bowl. Through Week 16's round of action, Barkley has racked up 1,838 yards.
Those numbers mean Barkley is not quite on pace but has a shot at breaking the NFL's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set by Eric Dickerson in 1984.
One man who believes Barkley can make the NFL's history books is former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. After Barkley rushed for 150 yards in a Week 16 loss against the Washington Commanders, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year tweeted:
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"Saquon is going to break the rushing record eh?"
This, of course, was far from Barkley's first big night in an Eagles uniform. Back in Week 12 during a primetime showdown against the Los Angeles Rams, Barkley racked up 302 scrimmage yards, good for ninth-highest in a game in NFL history. The 255 rushing yards meant Barkley also etched his name in the Eagles' history books with the highest single-game rushing yards record.
Where Saquon Barkley stands in NFL MVP ladder
Saquon Barkley is yet to play in Week 17. The Eagles will take on the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon, allowing him to cut the distance to Eric Dickerson.
Interestingly, Barkley will face the New York Giants to close the season which means there is a very real possibility that he could set a new NFL record for a single-season rushing yards total against his former team.
Even with a shot at making history on offer, it's difficult to see Barkley being named this season's MVP. The race is currently down to Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson with the Buffalo Bills QB being the odds-on favorite to take home his first MVP award.
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