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MVP candidate Saquon Barkley is “not surprised” by the record performances with Philly.


MVP candidate Saquon Barkley is “not surprised” by the record performances with Philly.

Sunday night’s 255-yard rushing performance set a single-game franchise record for Philly. It was the ninth-most rushing yards in a game in league history.

For the season, the new Eagle has generated 1,392 rushing yards in 11 games and is on pace for 2,151 rushing yards, which would put him ahead of the famous 2,000-yard mark and Eric Dickerson’s rushing record of 2,105 in a single season.

Barkley’s superlatives after Sunday’s start are extensive.

“Saquon has the ability to hit home runs, and sometimes it goes that way,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “You get a short gain, a short gain, a short gain – boom, home run. Saquon is that type of player, and our offensive line handled the variations up front well.”

Barkley signed a three-year, $38 million contract in Philly after six seasons with the New York Giants. He’s always been one of the league’s most dynamic defenders, but for the first time in his career behind a dominant offensive line, the defenseman is on the rise.

“To be honest, I’m not surprised,” Barkley said. “I didn’t know I would have this much success, (but) I’m grateful to be here. I am grateful for the new beginning. A big reason why I wanted to come here is because I felt like this. A place where I could rewrite my story and show everyone the type of player I can and should be, and at the moment it’s working. “

With Philly hot on the heels of the Detroit Lions in the battle for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, there’s no doubt that Barkley has pushed his name into the MVP discussion. It remains a tough fight. No running back has won the award since Adrian Peterson’s 2,000-yard season in 2012, with 11 consecutive QBs taking home the honor. If he keeps up his pace, voters may have to end the series. None of this matters to Barkley.

“I love being part of this conversation,” he said. “It’s cool and all, but it’s a team sport. And if you told me I can have the year I’m having and win MVP but can’t win the Super Bowl, or I can have the year I’m having and not win MVP.” or offensive player of the year and win the Super Bowl, I’ll take the (second) one.”

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