The Washington Commanders know they have a tough challenge ahead against the Philadelphia Eagles. Their focus remains on what it has been in the past two meetings: stopping Saquon Barkley. This has been a struggle for Washington and other teams all season.
Barkley’s Impact on Washington
Barkley proved to be a serious threat in both games against Washington. In those two games, he rushed for a total of 296 yards and scored four touchdowns. However, there was a clear contrast in his runs: out of 55 runs, 26 were for 2 yards or less, but he also had three runs for 130 yards and three touchdowns.
Barkley had an impressive regular season, rushing for 2,005 yards and was considered for MVP. In the playoff win against the Los Angeles Rams, he rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.
Washington’s defense knows stopping Barkley will be a key to their success. Linebacker Bobby Wagner emphasized the importance of staying disciplined throughout the game since Barkley has the ability to break off big runs at any moment.
Washington’s defense has struggled with the run all season. They ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed per game and 28th in yards per carry. In two earlier games against Philadelphia, they allowed over 200 rushing yards in both.
The Commanders understand that the Eagles’ offense has more than just Barkley to worry about. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is also a running threat. In their previous games against Washington, Hurts rushed for 80 yards on 13 carries. However, Hurts did sustain a concussion in the second game and did not return, which may have limited his ability to make plays.
If Hurts is still affected by a knee injury, Washington might be able to focus more on stopping Barkley. But they are preparing for a full-strength Eagles team with Hurts, top receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, and a strong offensive line.
Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. is clear about how Washington will handle Hurts. He mentioned they plan to treat Hurts like a running back and hit him hard, putting the decision in the Eagles’ hands whether to expose him to those kinds of hits.
Eagles’ coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged this approach and said they are cautious in how they use Hurts to protect him. However, Whitt’s main focus remains Barkley.
Past Encounters with Barkley
Commanders’ coach Dan Quinn knows Barkley well, having faced him six times when he was the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. Barkley had mixed success against Dallas, averaging just 49.3 yards per game against them, with a high of 81 yards in a game.
However, in the Commanders’ game against Philadelphia in November, Barkley showed his explosive abilities. After being held to 70 yards through three quarters, he rushed for 90 yards on 11 carries in the fourth, scoring two touchdowns.
In the next meeting, Barkley rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, with a 68-yard touchdown run. The Commanders did manage to limit him to 27 yards on 16 carries in the second half.
Quinn emphasized Barkley’s unique skill set, noting his combination of quickness and power. “It’s the explosive plays that he can create,” Quinn said, “and his rare change of direction. He has the quickness of a smaller back and the size of a big back.”
When asked about Barkley’s performance with the Eagles compared to his time with the New York Giants, Whitt remarked, “He’s always looked good to me.” Despite switching teams, Barkley remains a key focus for the Commanders as they prepare for the upcoming game against Philadelphia.
