Eric Dickerson: 'Don't Think' Saquon Barkley Will Break Single-Season Rushing Record

Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson isn't convinced that Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles is going to break his single-season rushing record.

"I don't think he'll break it," Dickerson told Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times. "But if he breaks it, he breaks it. Do I want him to break it? Absolutely not. I don't pull no punches on that. But I'm not whining about it. He had 17 games to do it? Hey, football is football. That's the way I look at it. If he's fortunate to get over 2,000 yards and get the record, it's a great record to have."

The current record was set by Dickerson when he was a member of the Los Angeles Rams during the 1984 season, picking up 2,105 yards on 379 carries. He also scored 14 touchdowns.

Barkley is winding down an incredible inaugural season in Philadelphia, rushing for 1,838 yards on 314 attempt through 15 games.

In order to set a new record, the 27-year-old would need to average 134.0 yards per game on the ground through the Eagles' final two regular-season contests. It may be difficult for Barkley to reach that mark, as his league-leading average of 122.5 rushing yards per game still wouldn't put him on track to make history.

It's also worth noting that Dickerson's record occurred during a 16-game season as opposed to the NFL's current 17-game format.

Even if Barkley can't reach 2,106 yards, he still has an opportunity to become the ninth player to ever reach the 2,000-yard rushing threshold in a single year. He already owns Philadelphia's franchise record for a single-season rushing total as well.

He's played a large role in the team's successful 2024 campaign, as the Eagles currently sit at 12-3 and have already clinched a playoff spot. They'll have an opportunity to secure the NFC East crown with a win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.

Barkley shouldn't have much difficulty against Dallas, as the Cowboys own the sixth-worst run defense in the NFL by allowing 135.9 yards per game on the ground.

Kickoff between Philadelphia and Dallas on Sunday is at 1 p.m. ET.