Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 rushing yards as Eagles clinch NFC East title

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Greg Olsen and Joe Davis breaks down Eagles’ dominant win | NFL on FOX Saquon Barkley MAKES HISTORY as the ninth player to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in Eagles’ win over Cowboys Saquon Barkley on becoming ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season

Saquon Barkley rushed for 167 yards to top 2,000 on the season, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for scores before departing with injured ribs, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title by routing the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, 41-7.

Barkley has 2,005 yards and needs 101 in next week’s mostly meaningless regular-season finale to top Eric Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984.

The Eagles (13-3) led 24-7 in the third quarter when Pickett was drilled by defensive end Micah Parsons, ending his first start in place of the concussed Jalen Hurts. Tanner McKee, a career third-stringer, entered the game and the Eagles finished the drive with a field goal.

McKee later threw two touchdown passes, a 20-yarder to A.J. Brown and a 25-yarder to DeVonta Smith, in front of a roaring crowd delighted to watch the Eagles dominate their fiercest rival to wrap up the division title and at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC.

Hurts was injured in last week’s loss at Washington and remains in the NFL‘s concussion protocol. He didn’t practice all week, which opened the door for Pickett to start.

Greg Olsen and Joe Davis breaks down Eagles’ dominant win | NFL on FOX

Pickett, acquired from Pittsburgh in the offseason, played with extra protection under his jersey after he suffered a rib injury when he was pressed into service against the Commanders.

Sore ribs or not, Pickett was pumped for this start all week. He was raised a diehard Eagles fan in central New Jersey about 80 miles from Lincoln Financial Field and recalled “great memories” of going to games with his dad and grandfather since he was 5 years old.

The 26-year-old Pickett said he had plenty of family at the Linc to cheer him on against Dallas (7-9).

More than 60,000 other Eagles rooted him on, too, but Pickett’s dream day ended prematurely. He finished 10 of 15 for 143 yards.

With the Eagles no longer having a division title to play for, it’s likely Hurts will rest another week ahead of the playoffs. Now, Pickett could be sidelined as well — possibly forcing McKee into the starting lineup.

Barkley had 31 carries and his last one went for 23 yards to push him over 2,000. He could also sit out rather than risk injury chasing Dickerson’s record. Barkley, who left the New York Giants and signed a three-year deal with the Eagles for $26 million guaranteed, set the NFL mark for most yards rushing in a player’s first season with a new team.

Saquon Barkley MAKES HISTORY as the ninth player to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in Eagles’ win over Cowboys

The friends and family that traveled to see Pickett play had to wait a bit after Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned an interception 69 yards for a score on Dallas’ opening drive. Cooper Rush — who threw for 147 yards and had two interceptions — followed on the next drive for Dallas with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert.

Pickett connected with Grant Calcaterra for 34 yards and then hit Smith — who had six catches total for 120 yards — for a 22-yard score and a 14-7 lead.

The Eagles’ defense broke the game open for Pickett when a recovered fumble led to Jake Elliott’s 31-yard field goal and Gardner-Johnson’s second pick of the day set up Pickett’s rushing score on a tush push.

Just like Hurts.

Pickett, who completed 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards, took two tough shots on the same drive on the third: Osa Odighizuwa was flagged for roughing the passer on a late hit and Parsons delivered the knockout blow.

The Eagles were thrilled to have a capable backup QB who went 14-10 as a starter with the Steelers. His performance prompted Pittsburgh legend and FOX broadcaster Terry Bradshaw to say the Steelers never should have gotten rid of him.