Fast Start: Saquon Barkley Ignites the Linc With Shifty Opening Touchdown
The moment Drake Maye won his first postseason game 🙌@DrakeMaye2 | @Patriots@insidetheNFL NFL Playoffs Mic’d Up on X pic.twitter.com/xlXGANYIQc
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2026
The play showcased exactly why Philadelphia aggressively pursued Barkley in free agency. Quarterback Jalen Hurts looked off the safety before lofting a soft pass to Barkley, who had isolated himself against the Jaguars’ linebacker corps. Once the ball hit his hands, the outcome was inevitable. Barkley hit a second gear that few players his size possess, effortlessly outracing the pursuit to the front pylon.
The Hurts-Barkley Connection
While Barkley is a generational runner, his impact on the passing game is proving to be the Eagles’ secret weapon. By forcing defenders to account for Barkley in the flat and on wheel routes, Jalen Hurts is finding much wider passing lanes for his primary receivers. On this 20-yard score, the Jaguars were caught in a defensive mismatch that Barkley exploited with surgical precision.
The Eagles’ offensive line provided a clean pocket for Hurts, allowing the play to develop perfectly. It was a six-play, 75-yard drive that looked effortless, punctuated by Barkley’s elite finishing ability.
“When you have a guy like Saquon, you just want to get him the ball in space and let him be the best athlete on the field. He did the rest.”
— Jalen Hurts on the opening touchdown drive
Setting a Physical Tone
This wasn’t just about the points; it was about the physical toll Barkley exerts on a defense. Starting a game with a receiving touchdown forces the opposing defensive coordinator to rethink their entire strategy. If you stack the box to stop his ground-and-pound style, he beats you over the top. If you drop into coverage, he gashes you for 10 yards a carry.
Barkley’s versatility is currently the engine driving the Eagles toward the top of the NFC standings. This opening score was the catalyst for a game that saw Barkley put up numbers that seem more at home in a video game than an NFL stadium.
What This Means for Week 9
With this early lead, the Eagles were able to lean on their aggressive defense and keep the Jaguars in a reactive state. As Barkley continues to stack highlight-reel plays, he is firmly inserting himself into the MVP conversation. For a team that struggled with offensive identity late last year, the solution has clearly arrived in the form of number 26.
