NFL Week 1 Review - 8 Points & Plays Everyone Is Talking About
6. Saquon Barkley Has Arrived
The Giants were not afraid to throw Saquon Barkley in at the deep end, giving him 18 carries and 2 receptions. Throwing him in at the deep end is an understatement, as setting up against the Jaguars’ defence is similar to being put in front of a firing squad.
Barkley got his first NFL touchdown, and it couldn’t have been better; a 68 yard power run right through the heart of the Jag’s D. This is exactly why Barkley was taken at number 2 in the draft, and these explosive runs are expected of him.
Barkley has been drafted somewhat in the same manner that the Jaguars took Leonard Fournette the previous year, in a bid to transform the franchise. With the spectacular Odell Beckham Jr and powerhouse of Barkley, the giants can take the pressure off an aging and deteriorating Eli Manning.
The big blue fans were left salivating at what Barkley is capable of, but taking away the huge run out of his stats for the night, leaves him with just 38 rushing yards from 17 carries, for an average of 2.2 yards per attempt. Without the breakthrough run, the night would have been seen as a little bit of a disappointment. However considering he was playing against one of the best defences in the league - and he did get that marvellous touchdown run - Barkley has started to show what a dominant force he could become.
Expect Barkley to see a 1,000 yard season.