Saquon Barkley’s debut with the Philadelphia Eagles was nothing in need of phenomenal, and the New York Giants ought to have a collective pit of their abdomen for letting him stroll.
Not solely did they let him depart in free company, however they let him get scooped up by a division rival and a staff within the Eagles that appears primed to take residence the NFC East in 2024.
Barkley scored three touchdowns in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Friday night time in Sau Paulo, Brazil. He seemed like a very completely different, rejuvenated model of the working again that was so dominant throughout his time in school at Penn State.
Philadelphia’s offense is frightening. Quarterback Jalen Hurts seemingly already unlocked Barkley’s pass-catching skills, as his first landing of the sport was an unbelievable finish zone snag. He had two catches for 23 yards.
However the Packers had no solutions for Barkley on the bottom. 24 rushes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. It seemed approach too simple for him behind Philadelphia’s offensive line, which was nonetheless removed from excellent of their first sport as a unit since Jason Kelce’s retirement.
Hurts and Barkley within the backfield, paired with DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, as the most effective receiving duos within the NFL, provides head coach Nick Sirriani one of the loaded offenses on paper. And it lived as much as the hype in Week 1.
In the meantime, the Giants are nonetheless wandering the desert with Daniel Jones. Their beginning working again is Devin Singletary, who has by no means even eclipsed 900 speeding yards in a season. They’re relying closely on rookie extensive receiver Malik Nabers, who was stellar in school, however have a look at who was throwing him the ball at LSU, and have a look at who can be throwing him the ball within the NFL.
We hear it on a regular basis: the NFL is a results-oriented enterprise.
It’s arduous to see the Giants having improved outcomes with a significant downgrade at working again, whereas their former celebrity is already scoring touchdowns for the Eagles, who they may play twice per 12 months.
The Giants haven’t even began their season but, however you’ll be able to see how vibes is likely to be low. Not solely are the Eagles loaded, however the Giants can even should take care of the Dallas Cowboys, who’re taking part in Dak Prescott on a prove-it 12 months.
New York has had since 2018 to guage Barkley with loads of contract drama alongside the best way, and GM Joe Schoen in the end determined that he was not price maintaining round. Eagles GM Howie Roseman gladly gave the star working again a three-year deal price $37.75 million.
Whereas one sport is not going to decide every part, it looks as if the Giants ought to already be kicking themselves for permitting that to occur proper beneath their noses.
