The Philadelphia Eagles finally looked like themselves again Sunday, and the club’s stars knew where to give the credit for that.
Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts and other members of the Eagles credited embattled offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo for his performance in their get-right, 38-20 win over the New York Giants on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Eagles set a season high in yards (427), rushing yards (276), points (38) and first downs (23) in their rout of the Giants, and Barkley also set a season high with 150 yards while scoring two TDs against his former team.
The Eagles (6-2) will have their bye week before taking on the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 on Monday Night Football at Lambeau Field.
The Eagles Finally Broke Saquon Barkley Loose
Much had been made of Barkley’s struggles running the ball, especially over the past three weeks, where he had 132 yards and the Eagles went 1-2.
But things changed seemingly from the opening kickoff for Barkley against his former team, when he took the second play from scrimmage 65 yards to the house for his longest play of the season — one that was reminiscent of a run from his historic 2024 season.
“It always starts with the guys up front, but I think [Patullo] did a great job calling plays,” Barkley said. “I think he’s been doing a good job calling plays. … When it comes together it’s a thing of beauty.”
The Eagles had not rushed for even 100 yards as a team since their Week 2 win over the Kansas City Chiefs and had not put up 200-plus rushing yards in a game this year.
Yet, when playing the Giants defense — which was injury depleted yet had held Philadelphia to just 73 ground yards in their 34-17 upset win two weeks ago at MetLife Stadium — the Eagles ran wild, while also putting up three touchdowns on their three trips to the red zone.
“I think [Patullo] has a really good feel in the red zone,” Hurts said.
Hurts has seen Patullo’s feel for the game increase, especially over the past two weeks where the Eagles have averaged 33 points per game and put up nearly 400 yards of total offense in wins over the Giants and Minnesota Vikings.
“I think he’s gained confidence and gained assurance in what he sees and what he believes as time has gone on,” Hurts said. “I look at how are we helping him — are we playing penalty-free? Are we mastering the things that take no talent? Are we getting in and out of the huddle? — the little things that can help all of us and help the play caller find a rhythm with what he does.
“We just want to continue to build, but he’s been rolling.”
The Eagles Put Up Their Season-Best Performance Without A.J. Brown
The Eagles’ ground game was a necessity because No. 1 wide receiver A.J. Brown did not suit up due to a hamstring injury.
Hurts did not need to throw early and often, due to the improved rushing attack and the lopsided score.
Yet, Jahan Dotson scored on his lone catch, a 40-yard TD from Hurts that made it 38-13 in the fourth quarter. Plus, on National Tight Ends Day, Dallas Goedert stepped up and had two of his three catches go for touchdowns while accruing 28 yards.
“He’s a big-time target,” Hurts said of Goedert. “He does a lot of dirty work in this offense.”
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