Saquon Barkley on Eagles Winning NFC East: Didn't Know Shirt & Hat Games Were a Thing

Saquon Barkley achieved two career firsts on Sunday—he eclipsed 2,000 yards rushing, and he won an NFC East title.

"I'm happy. It's my first hat and t-shirt game," the Philadelphia Eagles' superstar told reporters after Sunday's 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys, which clinched a division crown for the Birds. "I didn't even know that was a thing."

In Barkley's first six seasons with the New York Giants he never won a division title, reaching the playoffs just once. His decision to sign with the Eagles ahead of the 2024 season has proven to be fruitful—he's now rushed for 2,005 and 13 touchdowns, adding 33 catches for 278 yards and another two scores, and the Birds are 13-3.

Barkley—who is just the ninth player in NFL history to reach the 2,000-yard plateau in a single season—is just 101 yards short of exceeding Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards. It remains to be seen if he and the other starters will even play in Week 18, however, given that the Birds may be locked into the No. 2 seed with nothing to play for in the regular-season finale.

For the Eagles to earn the top overall seed, they would need to beat the Giants next week, would need both the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions to lose this week and the Vikings to beat the Lions in Week 18.

The Eagles—who had their actual bye all the way back in Week 5—would almost assuredly rest key players in Week 18 and treat it like a de facto bye if they have no chance to secure the top overall seed. That would mean no record for Barkley, though he's fine with that potential outcome.

"I'm not overtly trying to get it," he told reporters regarding Dickerson's record. "I'm not scared of it. But we've got bigger things we're focused on. Whether we play next week or rest, I'm fine with that. I didn't sign here just to break a record. I want to do something special with the team."

He's got those Super Bowl hats and t-shirts in mind.