Saquon Barkley’s chase for NFL History: Can he break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record?

Saquon Barkley put on a performance for the ages Sunday night, rushing for a staggering 255 yards and two electrifying touchdowns of 70-plus yards to lead the Eagles to a 37-20 victory over the Rams.

While Barkley’s heroics stole the headlines, the game was won in the trenches. Philadelphia’s offensive line was an unstoppable force, creating 2.8 yards before contact per carry and giving Barkley the space to break loose.

Landon Dickerson was an ANIMAL:

Giving Landon his flowers 😮‍💨 @Landon_2012 | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/b9qHSqHYqN

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 25, 2024

Saquon Barkley vs Rams:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Liberty Line (@libertylinephl)

Saquon Barkley achieved something that hasn’t been done since 1977 in Eagles win vs. Rams

Barkley’s historic outing not only broke records but also extended Philadelphia’s winning streak to seven games. The Eagles improved to 9-2, further solidifying their lead in the NFC East and establishing themselves as one of the league’s most balanced teams.

Meanwhile, the Rams fell to 5-6, slipping further behind in the highly competitive NFC West as the playoff pressure mounts.

The conversation has now shifted from his MVP-caliber dominance to whether Barkley can take down Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set back in 1984.

Through 11 games, Saquon Barkley is putting together a season for the ages. With 1,392 rushing yards already on the books, he’s not just leading the league—he’s outrushing 21 entire NFL teams.

To tie Eric Dickerson’s record, Barkley needs 713 more yards. To break it, 714.

With six games left, that means he’ll need to average 119 yards per game the rest of the way. That seems well within reach for a guy who’s currently putting up 126.5 yards per game and has already eclipsed 119 yards seven times this season.

But there’s an interesting twist to this chase. Dickerson’s record came in a 16-game season, and he was averaging a blistering 131.6 yards per game that year.

Barkley benefits from the modern 17-game schedule, which means even if he maintains his current pace and reaches 2,150 yards, some might see the record as less impressive due to the extra game.

To put it into perspective:

• Dickerson’s 1984: 2,105 yards in 16 games (131.6 yards per game)
• Barkley’s Target (17 games): 2,106 yards = 123.8 yards per game

If Barkley wants to match Dickerson’s pace and truly surpass his greatness, he’d need to hit 2,237 yards over 17 games—a staggering feat requiring him to average 140.8 yards per game the rest of the way.

There’s also the wildcard of Week 18. If the Eagles have already locked up their playoff seeding, Barkley might not even suit up, especially given how cautious teams are with star players.

Back in 1984, Dickerson played all 16 games as the Rams were fighting for position at 10-5 heading into the final week. Whether Barkley gets the same chance could ultimately decide his fate in the record books.

Regardless of how this plays out, Barkley’s 2024 season has been nothing short of spectacular. Breaking Dickerson’s record, a mark that’s stood for nearly 40 years, would only cement it as one of the greatest seasons in NFL history. Whether he gets there the old-fashioned way or benefits from the modern schedule, Barkley is on a run that’s worth every ounce of attention.

Join The Chase