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Saquon Barkley to shatter Eric Dickerson's record with Nick Sirianni's system

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles | By Gourab Saha | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 6:00 AM ET

A different kind of diamond is being polished in Philadelphia. One where a generational talent is poised to chase history.

That promise hinges on one man. Saquon Barkley is the centerpiece of a bold offensive experiment. The NFL has lately been obsessed with the forward pass. But the Eagles have decided to zig.

They are building a fortress around the run game. And it's a strategy as classic as a well-worn mitt. This isn't just about winning games. It's about chasing an unbeaten record from 1984.

Eric Dickerson’s two-year rushing record of 4,032 yards has stood for decades. It's been a monument to sustained excellence. However, Barkley is a mere 199 yards away from toppling it. And Danny Parkins of FOX Sports is all-in on the possibility.

"Saquon Barkley is uniquely positioned to have the best two-year stretch for a running back ever," Parkins declared on The Herd. This isn't just hype; it's a testament to a perfect storm of talent and system.

The numbers from Barkley’s first year in Philly are staggering. He amassed 2,005 regular-season yards. And he accomplished that while averaging a blistering 5.8 yards per carry.

He then bulldozed through the playoffs... ultimately shattering Terrell Davis’s single-season and postseason combined record. This success is no accident. It's the product of a deliberate philosophical shift. Parkins highlights the strategic advantage this creates.

"The Eagles are a bit of a throwback. This is the passing era of the NFL... but the Eagles are like, 'We don't want our quarterback to throw it 30 times. We have the best offensive line. Our quarterback really helps the running game, and we are going to pound the rock,'" Parkins added.

This rebellious commitment to the run game is what uniquely positions Barkley for a historic chase.

Barkley ended his rampage with 2,504 total yards. And that historic output earned him the Offensive Player of the Year award. So, how does he follow the greatest season in Eagles history? The answer lies with the men in the trenches.

Barkley's Path to Greatness

This ground-and-pound philosophy wasn’t born in a coaches’ meeting. It was demanded by the players themselves. The Eagles had a disappointing 2-2 start. And that's when offensive linemen Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, and Landon Dickerson marched into Coach Nick Sirianni’s office.

They made a compelling case to return to their roots... to unleash their power. Sirianni, to his credit, listened. The result?

The Eagles transformed into a juggernaut. They led the league in rushing by a massive margin. And that system is a perfect match for Barkley. Defenses now are lighter than ever. And they're built to stop the pass.

Philadelphia’s elite offensive line feasts on these spread-out units. They create lanes that Barkley explodes through with his rare blend of power and grace. It’s a throwback strategy with a modern superstar. And this combination makes the record feel inevitable.

Therefore, all signs point to a historic campaign. The offensive line is committed. Coach is bought in. The running back? He's arguably the most gifted in the sport. Saquon Barkley isn't just chasing a record. He's chasing a legacy.

Barkley's aiming to cement his name alongside Dickerson, Sanders, and Campbell in just two spectacular seasons. So Philly fans can book December for a new slice of history. The record chase will ride shotgun with another playoff push.

As Barkley told reporters after the NFC title game, “We like winning... Whatever way it takes, that's what we’re willing to do.”

The snow-globe moment waits. One more stiff-arm, one more open-field cut, and Dickerson’s ghost yields. Barkley will plant the flag at midfield, then maybe walk away quietly. After all, as Bruce Springsteen once growled, “Talk about a dream, try to make it real.”

This article first appeared on Inside the Iggles and was syndicated with permission.

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