Saquon Barkley rushed for 167 yards to surpass 2,000 for the season, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for another touchdown before leaving with injured ribs, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title by defeating the Dallas Cowboys 41-7.
Barkley already has 2,005 yards and needs 101 in next week’s regular season finale to surpass Eric Dickerson’s historic mark of 2,105 yards with the Los Angeles Rams in 1984.
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The Eagles (13-3) led 24-7 in the third quarter when Pickett was hit by defensive end Micah Parsons, ending his first start in place of Jalen Hurts, who suffered a concussion.
Eagles’ third QB threw for two TDs against Dallas’ defense
Tanner McKee, the Eagles’ third-string passer, threw two touchdown passes, one a 20-yarder to A.J. Brown and a 25-yard pass to DeVonta Smith, in front of a roaring crowd delighted to see the Eagles dominate their most hated rival to secure the divisional title and at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Pickett, acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason, played with extra protection under his jersey after suffering a rib injury last week against the Commanders.
Pickett was excited for this game all week. He grew up as a die-hard Eagles fan in central New Jersey, about 80 miles from Lincoln Financial Field, and had “great memories” of going to games with his father and grandfather since he was five years old.
Pickett, 26, said he had a lot of family at the stadium to cheer him on against Dallas (7-9).
More than 60,000 Eagles fans also supported him, but Pickett’s dream day ended prematurely. He finished 10 of 15 for 143 yards.
Since the Eagles no longer have a divisional title to play for, Hurts is likely to rest another week before the playoffs. Now, Pickett could also be sidelined, possibly forcing McKee to start against the already eliminated New York Giants.
Barkley’s historic season
Barkley had 31 carries and the last one was for 23 yards to surpass 2,000. He could also sit out rather than risk injury chasing Dickerson’s record.
Barkley, who left the Giants and signed a three-year, $26 million guaranteed contract with the Eagles, set the NFL record for most rushing yards in a player’s first season with a new team.
Dallas quarterback Cooper Rush threw for 147 yards and had two interceptions.
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