The Eagles have started to right the ship after a slow start. After wins against the Giants and Browns, the team has jumped to a 4-2 record out of the bye week. The team heads into a pivotal week 8 matchup against the Bengals and a red-hot Joe Burrow. One of the biggest issues with the team early in the season was a lack of structure. Now that seems to change as a key Eagles running back emerges as a leader on and off the field.
Eagles Running Back Emerging as a Leader in the Locker Room
Humble Pie
Multiple media outlets reported that Barkley decided to make a very humbling decision late in the Eagles’ dominating win in Metlife. The Eagles running back rushed for 176 yards in his homecoming game. He was just 13 yards away from his single-game rushing record of 189 yards. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was aware of this and made it known to Barkley in the 4th quarter. However, Barkley chose not to re-enter the game and instead said “I’d rather see the young boys eat.”
Barkley sat out the 4th quarter and let running backs like Kenny Gainwell and Will Shipley get meaningful carries for the rest of the game. Many in Eagles fandom viewed this as a positive move of professionalism from Barkley. It points to the act of a leader who prefers to see the development of young guys on the team to strengthen the roster, over individual greatness.
However, Barkley wasn’t just the verbal leader on Sunday either. The team really made him the focal point since he had the most production on offense. According to Delaware Online, Jalen Hurts had just 14 passing attempts in the game. Other Playmakers like DeVonta Smith had just one catch for minus two yards. That level of conservative nature in the passing game won’t be sustainable going forward. However, it clearly shows how the Birds committed Barkley as their key to victory, and they should continue to do so.
Lead Me
Outside of being very professional off the field, both with selfless acts like he showed against the Giants and in interviews, Barkley has also been the teams all around best player.
Barkley added to his season totals this past Sunday against his former team. He is third in the league in rushing yards with 658, eighth in the league in carries with 108, and seventh in the league in rushing touchdowns with 5. He is also averaging a career-high 6.1 yards per carry.
He has had multiple outstanding efforts this season including three 100+ yard rushing performances this season. Those came against his former team, the Saints and the Packers. The team has seemed to figure out that they have an x-factor on offense in Barkley. It will be intriguing to see if they continue to prioritize him as the focal point as the season continues.
The team has a favorable point in their schedule coming up so they could potentially start racking up wins.
Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
