The New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley returned to form in the last game against the Tennessee Titans since his best output in NFL 2019 season. This was his best performance since Week 16 of the 2019 NFL season when he had 189 yards rushing and 90 yards receiving with two touchdowns.
The RB didn’t get quite close to those numbers. Despite this, Barkley had 164 yards rushing, 30 yards receiving, and a touchdown in the previous game. Throughout the game, he made big plays for the team. One of his best plays was a 68-yard run down the sidelines to set up a touchdown.
Furthermore, Barkley attempted a risky 2-point conversion, which paid off for head coach Brian Daboll’s debut. He led the Giants back from a 13-0 halftime deficit, finishing with 18 carries and six receptions.
The Titans dominated the first half, but the Giants’ defense could hold them off, which kept New York dominating the game until the end. The Titans had a chance to win the game, but Randy Bullock’s 47-yard field goal miss gave New York a 21-20 victory over Tennessee.
The Giants accomplished something they haven’t done in six years, which is winning a season opener. Barkley returned to his old form and showed an incredible burst and breakaway speed. He was running north and south instead of staying behind the line. He brought the spark from his 68-yard run on the Giants’ first drive of the second half.
RIGHT WHEN WE NEEDED IT 🙌
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/jUGL1l7VkR
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 11, 2022
Redemption season for Barkley
This year, there is something different about Barkley, as he didn’t have much game time in 2021. He suffered an ACL tear, followed by an ankle injury after stepping on Jourdan Lewis’ foot in Week 5. He also admitted that he was lacking confidence in himself and his body.
“People are trying to write me off. You know what? F*** everybody. I’m ready to go crazy. And I’m [going to] let the world feel me,” Barkley said on a podcast.
Barkley could be classified as a below-average running back based on his performance last season. In 13 games, the 25-year-old running back gained 593 yards on 162 carries. Those numbers are what people would not expect from the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year and second overall pick.
This season, Barkley seems to have worked up and has looked better than at any other point since the 2019 season. Barkley admitted that he is a step ahead of where he was last year.
“He’s in the best shape I’ve ever seen him in. He is playing as good as I’ve seen him play since I’ve been here,” said wide receiver David Sills V, who trains with Barkley. “He’s so confident right now. Not that he ever wasn’t, but his confidence is on another level. So we’re all behind him and excited to see what he does this year.”
Barkley was the only Giants playmaker who showed up to practice every day and declared himself ready for the season. Following that, he will have numerous opportunities. He stated that he is back and ready, and not just physically.
“Just getting back to being myself, and when I say that, I am not even talking about hurdling, jumping, breaking long runs,” he said. “Just smiling again and just enjoying it. Enjoy football. That is where I am right now. I have been doing a lot of work not just on my body but on my mental. And I am at peace.”