Runaway Train: Saquon Barkley Sprints for 19-Yard Score to Blow Game Open
It’s been nine years and we are still not over how Aaron Rodgers pulled this off in the 2016 Divisional Round 😱 pic.twitter.com/2c3YZRD48w
— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2026
Following a series of plays that featured a reverse hurdle and a one-handed catch, Barkley returned to his bread and butter: the outside zone run. He took the handoff from Jalen Hurts, spotted a crease created by the Eagles’ offensive line, and hit a second gear that left the Jacksonville secondary grasping at air. The score extended the Eagles’ lead to 22-0, effectively putting the game on ice before the midway point.
The Physics of Saquon
What makes Barkley so dangerous in the open field is his combination of top-end speed and lateral agility. On this 19-yard score, he didn’t just outrun the defense; he manipulated the angles of the pursuit. By the time the Jaguars’ safeties committed to the alley, Barkley had already turned the corner. His burst through the hole was clocked as one of the fastest speeds by a ball carrier in Week 9.
The Eagles’ offensive line, led by Lane Johnson, cleared a massive lane on the right side, allowing Barkley to reach the second level untouched. From there, it was a footrace that the former Penn State star was never going to lose.
“When I see green grass, I just think ‘end zone.’ The guys up front are doing an incredible job of giving me space, and I’m just trying to make the most of every opportunity.”
— Saquon Barkley on his 19-yard touchdown run
Dominating the Scrimmage
Barkley’s arrival in Philadelphia has completely transformed the team’s offensive identity. By the end of the second quarter, Barkley had already surpassed 100 scrimmage yards, marking his sixth game this season with such production. He is currently on pace to challenge the franchise record for total yards in a single season, a feat made more impressive by the fact that he is sharing the backfield with a mobile quarterback like Jalen Hurts.
For the Jaguars, the 19-yard run was a breaking point. It forced their defense to stack the box even more aggressively, which in turn opened up the deep passing game for DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. It is a “choose your poison” scenario for defensive coordinators that is quickly becoming the standard in Philadelphia.
Playoff Implications
With this victory, the Eagles continue to pressure the top seeds in the NFC. As the weather turns colder, a dominant rushing attack led by a back of Barkley’s caliber becomes the most valuable asset a team can own. If the Eagles can maintain this level of physicality in the trenches, they will be a nightmare matchup for any dome-based team forced to travel to the Linc in January.
