5 NFL Stats to Know Through Week 12

Saquon Barkley Had His Third 50-Yard Rushing Score of 2018

For reasons best known to themselves, the New York Giants practically ignored rookie Saquon Barkley in the second half of their game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. This decision is all the more baffling when one considers how much damage he’d done in the first two quarters.

Barkley finished with 101 yards and a touchdown on the ground as well as 41 yards and another score on 7 receptions. His day included a 51-yard rushing touchdown, his third scoring run in excess of 50 yards this season. Barkley is the first rookie with at least three touchdown runs of 50 or more yards since Adrian Peterson in 2007. The Giants had only three 50-yard touchdown runs in their last 10 seasons prior to Barkley.

Despite essentially playing only half a game, Barkley was able to score 33.2 PPR points on Sunday. He is the first Giants back with consecutive 30-plus point games since Tiki Barber in 2005. The Giants and Barkley have a far from juicy matchup against the Chicago Bears up next, but Barkley remains a must-start in any matchup.