Saquon Barkley is staring down an unprecedented three-game fantasy football slump, the first time in his career he has been held under 10 fantasy points in three straight matchups. That’s a brutal stat, especially when you consider how crucial he’s supposed to be for the Philadelphia Eagles. Even more frustrating? The guy looks absolutely spry out there, so this production dip isn’t even his fault.
The Numbers Don’t Lie, But Neither Does the Eye Test
Think about it: three straight games under 10 fantasy points for a player of Barkley’s caliber? That’s just wild. What’s even crazier is he hasn’t even hit 15 rushing attempts in a single game this season. How are you supposed to get going like that? You can’t blame Barkley when he’s not getting the rock enough, especially when he’s still showing that burst and agility. With both DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert sidelined with injuries, the Eagles’ offense is seriously depleted. They’re down to a core of Barkley, Dontayvion Wicks, and Makai Lemon. Clearly, Barkley is the most talented of that trio, so it’s baffling to see him underutilized in the run game. This team needs to feed him if they want to get anything going.
Rams Showdown: A Must-Win for the Eagles’ Ground Game?
This Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams is gonna be a tough one. The Rams’ defensive front ranks eighth in run stop win rate, so it’s not exactly an easy draw for the Eagles’ offensive line and their struggling ground game. History shows Barkley has had big games against the Rams before, and man, the Eagles could sure use one of those right now. The Rams know it too; slowing Barkley is their first key to victory, especially with Jalen Hurts being a threat on his legs. If the Eagles want to keep Hurts from dropping back all game long and exposing a banged-up receiving corps, they absolutely have to lean on Barkley. Sure, the Rams’ pass defense has been good, but their secondary has some injuries, which might open a window for the Eagles. But honestly, the Eagles can’t spend another afternoon hoping their defense wins the game for them. They have to attack and take control.
Sirianni’s Tightrope Walk: Survival in a Brutal Stretch
Head Coach Nick Sirianni and his squad are in a tough spot, but they can definitely survive this stretch. The standard for success right now just has to be a little different, a little lower, until they get healthier. Losses to the Rams or even the Jaguars wouldn’t necessarily be the absolute worst outcomes, but how they play those games matters big time. They can’t get blown out again. This team has to stay competitive, give everyone, including themselves, a reason to believe they can turn things around once those injured players are back on the field. They’ve gotta go down fighting, period.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleeding Green Nation.
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