Saquon Barkley has faced challenges in the 2025 NFL season, struggling to replicate his past performances. The New York Giants are keen to avoid being the team that allows Barkley to regain his form during their Week 6 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence emphasized the need for discipline to prevent Barkley from getting hot.
Current Performance of Saquon Barkley
In the first five games of the season, Barkley has accumulated 267 rushing yards and scored three rushing touchdowns. Despite his previous stellar season, where he rushed for 2,005 yards in 2024, he has not surpassed 90 rushing yards nor reached 100 total scrimmage yards in any game this year. His longest run this season is only 17 yards, a stark contrast to the 17 carries exceeding 20 yards and seven carries over 40 yards from the previous year.
Analysis of Barkley’s Struggles
- Year-to-date rushing yards: 267
- Rushing touchdowns: 3
- Games played: 5
- Longest rush: 17 yards
- Previous season rushing yards: 2,005
Concerns have arisen regarding whether Barkley’s decline is due to the toll from his 345 carries last season or adjustments made under new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. The complications suggest a combination of both factors may be influencing his performance this year.
Implications for the Upcoming Game
In their recent outing against the Eagles, Barkley had a mere six carries, amounting to 30 yards, marking the fewest carries since Week 11 of 2021. This limited playtime followed his recovery from an injury. With the Eagles seeking to rebound from their first loss of the season, the Giants anticipate a determined effort from Philadelphia to reintegrate their star running back into the game plan.
Expectations from the Giants Defense
Giants safety Tyler Nubin noted that the Eagles are likely to adjust their strategy. “When you don’t involve your best player and the results aren’t favorable, changes are expected,” he stated, highlighting the anticipation for a revamped Eagles offense in their next encounter. The Giants remain prepared for any potential moves by their opponents to spark Barkley’s performance.
