How a Rams legend and Saquon Barkley's premium contract will revive RB position

You may not think about former Los Angeles Rams legendary running back Eric Dickerson very often, but you can bet that Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley thinks about him all the time right now. You see, Rams RB Eric Dickerson holds the NFL All-Time Single Season Rushing Record with 2,105 rushing yards set in 1984. Right now. Eagles RB Saquon Barkley has rushed for 2,005 yards, needing just 101 rushing yards to claim the record.

But Barkley is not Eric Dickerson. Dickerson is more than a one-hit rusher. He is the top running back in the history of the LA Rams franchise. Still, his record is at stake this season. Saquon Barkley wants that record.

But to do so, the Eagles will need to go against conventional wisdom, start their offensive line and Barkley in a meaningless game in Week 18 (in terms of playoff implications) and risk injury to a key offensive starter just as the team is girding up for another postseason opportunity.

If you recall, the Rams' defense did not put up much of a fight, allowing Barkey to run roughshod over them on his way to posting 255 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, as well as four receptions for an additional 47 receiving yards. That is over 300 yards and two touchdowns of offense by one player, a total that has dwarfed the Rams' offensive output in multiple games this season.

Needless to say, the Rams lost that game by a score of 37-20. And yet, there is more than meets the eye to Saquon Barkley's success in 2024. Let's dive in.