Saquon Barkley is on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s NFL rushing record
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Saquon Barkley is on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s NFL rushing record

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Saquon Barkley had a slight hiccup in Week 15, as the Eagles’ star running back rushed for just 65 yards on 19 carries. Barkley, who still leads the NFL with 1,688 yards, took a low hit from Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and missed most of the second quarter. Barkley said his right knee was fine and was not injured by Fitzpatrick’s hit.

Barkley will break LeSean McCoy’s 2013 rushing record for Philadelphia (1,607) and is aiming for a 2,000-yard rushing season before a deep playoff run.

Eric Dickerson made NFL history with the Rams in 1984, and despite a handful of 2,000-yard rushing seasons over the next four decades, that record still stands.

We track Barkley’s status heading into his Week 16 start against Washington and the history of the 2,000-yard rusher.

September 23, 1984; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson (29) in action against the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Eight players have rushed for 2,000 yards in a season, but only Dickerson reached the 2,100-yard mark in 1984 with 2,105 yards.

September 1984; Unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson (29) in action during the 1984 season. Mandatory credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Player Yards Team Season
Eric Dickerson – 2,105 – Rams 1984
Adrian Peterson -2,097 – Vikings – 2012
Jamal Lewis -2,066- Ravens -2003
Barry Sanders -2,053 -Lions -1997
Derrick Henry -2,027 -Titans -2020
Terrell Davis -2,008 -Broncos -1998
Chris Johnson -2,006 -Titans -2009
OJ Simpson -2,003 -invoices -1973
Earl Campbell -1,934 -Oilers -1980
Ahman Green -1,883 -Packers -2003
Barry Sanders -1,883 -Lions -1994
Shaun Alexander -1,880 -Seahawks -2005

Barkley has 1,688 rushing yards this season, averaging 112.5 yards per game – Barkley is on pace for about 1,913 rushing yards this season.

Barkley has already surpassed his career high of 1,312 rushing yards, which he set with the Giants in 2022. He also matched his career mark of 11 touchdowns, which he set in his rookie year in 2018.

To break Dickerson’s record, Barkley will need to average 139 rushing yards per game. To reach 2,000 rushing yards, Barkley will need to average 104 rushing yards.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

A team with Super Bowl aspirations has experience handling the workload of players across the board without costing the team its edge. Would head coach Nick Sirianni risk a possible injury to his all-world running back if Philadelphia clinches the NFC East or No. 2 seed before Week 18 and has no chance at the Lions? However, if the No. 1 seed remains in the game, Barkley could maintain a heavy workload given the importance of a first-round bye.

The three teams still on the Eagles’ schedule could force eight-man boxes in hopes of spoiling Barkley’s quest for history.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes the ball against Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Week 16, December 22nd at Commander’s 24th Run Defense Rankings
Week 17, December 29 vs. Cowboys, 29th in run defense
Week 18, January 5 vs. Giants, 31st run defense

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