The Giants defense had a storybook gloomy Sunday, with Saquon Barkley making a triumphant return to MetLife Stadium.
Barkley, who left the Giants in free agency, dominated his former team with 176 rushing yards (including three big chunk runs and a 3-yard touchdown) during the Eagles' 28-3 run. .
His inflated numbers spearheaded a rushing attack that amassed 269 yards on the ground, which Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence called “too much to give up.”
“We knew going into this game that all 11 guys had to do their job, and if someone didn't do it, that's when we found the big play,” Lawrence said. “It’s tough, we want to go from 1 to 11, but if we don’t we’re going to explode. [plays] Such things can happen and it is unacceptable. ”
Barkley was heavily booed before Philadelphia's first offensive possession and every time he touched the ball.
A video of a fan burning his old Giants jersey in a parking lot was also posted online.
“Like I said this week, I have nothing but respect for him because I know what kind of player he is to this organization and what he's been to me. I can't control what other people think about him. But I know what he's like,” Lawrence said. “Me and Saquon are friends. I have nothing against him. The Eagles beat us, he's a member of the Eagles, that's it.”
Asked if his former teammate felt he “wanted one more time” against the Giants, Lawrence said: I've played with him for years and I know his attitude towards the game and that was the way he approached it today. ”
Barkley, who signed a three-year contract worth $37.75 million in free agency, broke out on a 55-yard run along the left sideline in the second quarter and scored his sixth touchdown of the season (fifth on the ground) from three yards remaining. Recorded. 8:58 left before halftime.
He then had runs of 41 and 38 yards in the second half.
“Saquon gave up a few points because of some undisciplined mistakes on our part, but I thought he hung in there,” edge rusher Brian Burns said. “They smelled blood in the water and continued their play.”
Rookie safety Tyler Nubin, who had never played with Barkley, was face-to-face with Barkley after one of quarterback Jalen Hurts' two touchdown runs at the goal line. I looked down on the fact that I had engaged with them.
“That's how I play. I'm always talking to the other team. That motivates me,” Nubin said. “It's all so funny. It was just me talking, and then he decided to talk back to me. A lot of people don't talk back, but he did, so it was… That was fun.
“But I can't afford to give up so many things.” [rushing] He can go over yards against any team, against any team. ”
