Steelers coach Mike Tomlin calls Eagles RB Saquon Barkley the ‘most significant acquisition in the NFL′
The last time Barkley played against the Steelers, as a member of the New York Giants in 2020, Pittsburgh held him to 6 yards on 15 carries.
The Eagles hope to extend their nine-game winning when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers and resurgent quarterback Russell Wilson on Sunday (4:25 p.m., Fox29). The Birds (11-2) are coming off a 22-16 victory over the three-win Carolina Panthers that left fans concerned about their passing game.
The Steelers (10-3) are coming off a 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns. After winning seven of its last eight games, Pittsburgh stands atop the AFC North with a two-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers intercepted Cleveland quarterback Jameis Winston twice and sacked him three times.
Meanwhile, the Eagles sweated out their win over the Carolina to clinch a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive season. The Birds entered last Sunday’s game as 12-point favorites, but the passing game struggled as Jalen Hurts completed 14 of 21 passes for just 108 yards.
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The Steelers will focus their attention on Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Here’s what the Steelers are saying about their matchup in Philadelphia:
Slowing down Barkley
Barkley was a bright spot in the Eagles’ win Sunday. He finished with 124 yards on 20 carries, his fourth straight game with over 100 rushing yards. He also set the team’s single-season rushing record with 1,623, eclipsing LeSean McCoy’s mark set in 2013 (1,607).
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin believes their chances of winning on Sunday depend on whether they can stop Barkley.
“The acquisition of Saquon Barkley has got to be the most significant acquisition in the NFL in 2024,” Tomlin told reporters. “That’s what the tape looks like. He’s been dominant. Eye-opening at times, obviously. Highlight reel-caliber plays, long runs, touchdowns, etc. It starts there for us. If you don’t minimize him in some way, you’re not even going to position yourself to have a chance to be successful.
“Obviously, he has a lot of our attention at the early stages of the week. But he can’t have the totality of your attention. I remember the last time we were in a stadium with him, I think it was 2020, and he was playing for the Giants and Daniel Jones was a very young quarterback at that time. We were able to focus a significant amount of energy on him. We’re not afforded that this time around.”
The Steelers last played Barkley on Sept. 14, 2020, at MetLife Stadium. The Steelers beat the Giants, 26-16, and held Barkley to 6 yards on 15 carries and 60 yards on six receptions.
‘Bring the fight to them’
Barkley is on pace to break the NFL’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set by Eric Dickerson in 1984. Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen praised Barkley in his pursuit of the record.
“That’s huge,” Queen said. “It’s been a while since that’s been up there. For him to find a new team and be able to get to that part in his career is something you don’t see at all. That’s hat’s off to his team he’s on, his offensive coordinator, his line, and him. The guys are doing a good job, so we’ve got to go out there and play physical football and stop that.”
Asked how the Steelers plan to stop Barkley, Queen responded: “Everybody’s got to do their job.
“I think some teams are unaware of how good Saquon is. I think that’s got to be your focus, especially playing a guy like that, a team like that with all the pieces they got. A good O-line, good running backs, good receivers. Everybody’s just got to do their job. … You never know what you’re getting with [Barkley]. So that’s what I mean by being physical. You’ve just got to bring the fight to them.”