Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley carried the team to victory in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. Barkley’s record-tying, three-touchdown performance in his Eagles debut was impressive.
Yet in Week 2, Barkley dropped a likely game-winning reception late in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons. Following Philadelphia’s disastrous 22-21 loss to the Falcons, Barkley accepted responsibility for his late-game blunder.
Saquon Barkley Lets Victory Fall Through His Hands
In Week 1, Barkley joined elite company as the first Eagles player since Terrell Owens in 2004 to score three touchdowns in his team debut. Despite a superb performance to start the regular season, Barkley fell short in Week 2.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, with 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Falcons had just a 0.7% chance of winning.
The Falcons had just a 0.7% chance of winning with 1:56 left in the 4th quarter, according to the NGS win probability model.
The comeback is the 7th-most improbable win in the NGS era (since 2016).#ATLvsPHI | @AtlantaFalcons pic.twitter.com/iZF0nkwHvx
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 17, 2024
However, the Eagles appeared to be going to cement the victory by converting a crucial third-and-3.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts floated a pass to a wide-open Barkley, who would easily gain a first down and seal the victory for Philadelphia. Yet the ball went right through Barkley’s hands, and the Eagles were forced to settle for a field goal.
SAQUON DROPPED THIS 🤯
Peyton Manning couldn't believe it. pic.twitter.com/zqSJ2pYhlo
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 17, 2024
The Falcons would eventually march right down the field and score a touchdown to take a 22-21 lead late in the fourth quarter. Barkley didn’t mince words when describing his critical mistake.
“It was a great play call,” Barkley said, according to Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice. “I just have to make the catch.”
Barkley hauled in a pass from Hurts on a similar play earlier in the game, yet he fell just short of the end zone. But this time around, Barkley couldn’t hold onto the pass, and it ultimately cost the Eagles the game.
Despite his late drop, Barkley put together another strong performance. He had 24 total touches for 116 yards. But his mistake will be the only thing that many will remember.
Darius Slay Accepts Responsibility for Game-Winning TD
Although Barkley dropped the ball that would have secured the victory for Philadelphia, he wasn’t the only player to blame for the team’s disastrous loss. Philadelphia’s defense struggled to stop the Falcons throughout the entire game.
On the most important drive of the game for Atlanta’s offense, the Eagles couldn’t get the game-winning stop. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins led Atlanta right down the field, as Philadelphia’s secondary showed little to no resistance at all.
After being gashed by Atlanta’s rushing attack for most of the game, Cousins carved Philadelphia’s secondary up through the air on the team’s game-winning drive.
Falcons wide receiver Drake London shook free of Eagles cornerback Darius Slay to haul in the game-winning touchdown. Slay took accountability for allowing London to get open in the final minute of the game.
DRAKE JUST DID THAT
ESPN | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/k7BjeVEFdt
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 17, 2024
“That was for sure my fault,” Slay said, according to John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “It’s tough. We are better than that.”
Even though Slay might think the Eagles are better than that, Philadelphia’s defense hasn’t exactly proven such through the first two games of the regular season.
The Eagles have allowed 399.5 yards per game, the third-worst mark in the NFL. Philadelphia is also tied with the Los Angeles Rams for last in the NFL in yards allowed per play, as both teams have allowed 6.9 yards per play through two games.
Philadelphia was lucky to escape Week 1 with a victory, despite sloppy play overall. That trend clearly won’t continue, as the Eagles ultimately fell short against the Falcons in Week 2.
Now, they’ll travel on the road to take on the undefeated New Orleans Saints in Week 3.