Bow down to the running back who has taken Philly to new heights! Saquon Barkley is standing tall between the Chiefs and their dream of a three-peat. All the teams kicked out by the Chiefs are hoping Barkley can avenge them. Indeed, the former Giants star is a living nightmare for defensive lineups. But Barkley has made it clear that its team effort that wins games. He’s no Batman who will save all of Gotham City on his own. The RB will need his Alfred Pennyworth, Lucius Fox, and others along the way, which was amply evident from his recent statements. But before we get to that…

For the second time in two years, the Eagles and Chiefs are going head-to-head in the Super Bowl. Back then, Philly didn’t have the running back—he joined them ahead of the 2024 season on a three-year $37.75 million deal. So this time, it’s going to be a whole different battle, as per many. I mean, how many RBs can claim to be the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season? Sitting at 2,447, the three-time Pro Bowler also holds the bragging rights for seven touchdowns for at least 60+ yards this season (a record for a season and postseason combined). What’s more?

Well, as per a celebratory X post by his team on January 26, “NO other player in NFL history has 3️⃣ 60+ yard TDs in their ENTIRE playoff career,” after the Eagles Conference Championship win (55-23) against the Washington Commanders. “When he’s in space, he’s hard, obviously to get on the ground. He’s got the power, and the burst…,” the commentator presided over the clip, as the 27-year-old sprinted toward history.

Hence, undoubtedly, for Eagles fans, the RB is no less than a hero, carrying the entire team on his shoulders. As accurately as PhillyVoice‘s Evan Macy puts it—“When he’s about to score, the roar in Lincoln Financial Field is discernible from other cheers in the city”—Saquon stays humble enough to not gather all the cheers for himself…

He’s made it clear that everyone on the team needs to do their part. Talking to reporters this week after practice, the RB said, “The way you win championships, the way you do special stuff, is together. It’s not like—I don’t think it’s ‘being a good teammate.’ I’d be a fool not to realize that. I play running back. You can hand me the ball, but I don’t care how great you are, if I have five guys in the backfield, I’m not Superman.”

“I can’t make all those guys miss. That’s the reality of it. Guys get to get open. Jalen has to make the throw. A.J. has to make the catch. That’s how the game works. And I think we’ve lost that in today’s world with how much we all get paid. You have stats of Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning, like it’s those two guys going against each other. That’s not the truth. It’s a team sport. It stems from my parents, but it’s not hard to realize. I think a lot of people have to realize that, too.”

And honestly, folks, he’s not wrong there. The example is in front of us: the Chiefs. KC isn’t winning just because Patrick Mahomes is a great QB, Kareem Hunt is a spectacular RB, or Travis Kelce is a powerhouse TE. The reason for their success is that, as a team, they’re doing exactly what each person is supposed to do. They’re perfectly synchronized, and the results speak for themselves.

Indeed, The Eagles aren’t far behind. Their TE D. Goedert had 42 receptions in the 2024 season with an average of 11.8. And their QB Jalen Hurts is not that bad. How can we forget his 20 points (three touchdowns and a two-point conversion) against Kansas City? In fact, that matched the Super Bowl record set by New England’s James White in Super Bowl 51.

Having said that, despite all the teamwork talk, Barkley is definitely not letting go of his original vision either. “I just want to take it to the highest level I can take it. That’s my goal. What does great look like for me? That’s tough, because I want to be the best of all time,” he had stated earlier this month. Truth be told, it’s no more than a balancing act for the RB: Reach new heights, and ensure your team does, too…

Perhaps that explains the grace with which he accepted Nick Sirianni’s decision. The Eagles’ head coach—after an intense round of deliberations—had decided to rest Barkley and other key players during their “meaningless” Week 18 clash against the New York Giants. Meaning?

Barkley’s chase to upend Eric Dickerson’s 40-year-old single-season rushing record came to a screeching halt shy of 101 yards. The RB (sitting at 2,005 yards at the time), later told the NBC Sports Philadelphia, “We didn’t come here and I didn’t sign here to break Eric Dickerson’s record. We came here to win a Super Bowl.” 

Because, like we said, for Saquon Barkley, he’s no Batman who will save all of Gotham City on his own.

Having said that, the former Giants star also got made an interesting revelation about his past…

The Giants’ Saquon Barkley wanted the Eagles to fail

Two years ago, Saquon Barkley did not have the same feelings for Philly as he does now. Fair enough, as he was with the Giants at that time. And the Eagles had knocked them out of the Divisional Round. Indeed, they were one step away from reaching the Super Bowl. Jalen Hurts and Co. pinned them at 7 while going on to score 38 in the Divisional Round of the 2022 season. “Of course, I was rooting against the Eagles. They knocked us out of the playoffs at the time. There was no part of me that wanted the Eagles,” recalled Barkley. 

However, the Eagles made it to the end of that season, going head-to-head with the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Saquon got what he hoped for. Philly fell short against Patrick Mahomes and Co., losing by just three points (35-38). Moreover, just one season after that season, Barkley ended up with the Eagles. After having enough of John Mara and his front office, the star RB decided to part ways with the Giants. And Philly did a great job making sure he landed in their camp. “It’s funny to look back on it now, probably how I felt during that time…and now being here with a lot of those guys who were part of the team. Trying to finish the job,” added Saquon.

So now, Barkley has made it past the divisional round. He’s got the entire Philadelphia fanbase rooting for him. And maybe even the Bills Mafia too. Will he be able to take down the defending champs?

Indeed, the countdown has started, and you can feel the excitement building up more and more with each passing day.