EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – To run or not to run? It is a question fraught with significance for Saquon Barkley and the Giants.
With quarterback Daniel Jones sidelined for the remainder of the season with a knee injury, Barkley is unquestionably the Giants’ most important offensive player. This season, the Giants are 2-0 when Barkley scores a touchdown, and 0-8 when he doesn’t. His 568 rushing yards are 362 more than the team runner-up (Jones) and 448 more than the next active player (running back Matt Breida). That’s despite Barkley missing three games with a sprained ankle. Indeed, since his return on Oct. 15 in Buffalo, Barkley leads the NFL with 454 rushing yards and is second to Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb with 518 scrimmage yards.
The Giants’ best opportunity to finish the season strongly is to feed the ball to Barkley, beginning Sunday in Washington against the 4-6 Commanders. Barkley admits he still feels the effects of the injury he suffered in the Week 2 victory in Arizona but is undeterred.
“I just focus on going out there, try my best to make no excuses and go out there and try to compete and play at a high level for my team, no matter the circumstance,” Barkley said today. “I’ve been injured enough. I’ve torn an ACL before; I’ve been out for a whole season. So, if I’m able to, for the love of the game, go out there and play and be able to protect myself and compete for my team, that’s something I’ll always try to do.”
At 2-8, the Giants would have to win their final seven games just to finish with a winning record. But to an increasing number of fans and media representatives, they would be better served by losing and securing the highest draft choice possible. They currently own the third choice in the first round.
Coach Brian Daboll was asked at his news conference on Wednesday what he thinks when outsiders suggest the Giants should tank.
“Compete,” Daboll said. “We’re in a competitive business. Try to compete in everything you do.”
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is also not looking to limit Barkley’s rushing attempts.
“I’d say our training staff, they do a great job of taking care of those guys throughout the week so that they’re ready to go on Sunday so they can go and give maximal effort,” Kafka said. “I think we’re just mostly focused on today and how that works. I know the guys are getting their prehab and trying to get their bodies right for this week.”
In 2017, when…
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