Saquon Barkley Shines in Historic Eagles Debut

Former New York Giants player Saquon Barkley inscribed himself in the history of the NFL Friday night in his first game with the Philadelphia Eagles, which had mixed feelings for New York Giants supporters. The 27-year-old running back had an astonishing run, gaining 132 yards and scoring three touchdowns as the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Green Bay Packers 34-29.

The match was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, giving the NFL an international flair. Barkley’s entry is blazoned in Vikings fanzine history. He thus became the first player in the league's biography, the debut of which fell in the third round and quite well on the debut of a new team.

The last person who played near this record was Dutch Clark of the Detroit Lions, but this was in 1934. Barkley is now the only player who has scored two rushing TDs and 1 receiving TD in his first game for a new club in the history of the NFL.

Barkley Record Match

He matched his best record of three touchdowns during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018, his first appearance in New York Giants, after almost five years. He also became the second player in Eagles history to score three touchdowns in his debut, joining Terrell Owens in 2004.

As the night progressed, Barkley, along with Green Bay wide receiver Jordan Reed, went on to make even more history in the NFL. Both players managed to run the ball for touchdowns and catch the ball for touchdowns in the first half of the game.

According to reports by NBC Sports, this will also be the first time in NFL history that two players scored rushing and receiving touchdowns in the first half of the game. That Free Agency saw Saquon Barkley walk away from the New York Giants is such a watershed moment for most fans in New York.

The running back then joined the Eagles and penned a mouth-watering three-year contract worth $37.75 million. Although most people were surprised by Barkley’s decision to leave the Giants, his performance on Friday is probably what has most Giants fans dreading dueck shots vs the Eagles.