In the world of professional football, few accomplishments are as rare as a running back taking home the NFL MVP award. Yet, this season, New York Giants' standout Saquon Barkley aims to defy those odds and break a decade-plus drought for his position. With a performance that has captured the imagination of fans and analysts alike, Barkley has set an ambitious target: to become the first running back in over 12 years to be named the league's Most Valuable Player.
As of now, Barkley has rushed for an impressive 1,392 yards this season. Remarkably, 920 of those yards were gained in the second half of games—a testament to his endurance and the offensive strategies employed by the Giants. His ability to maintain, and even escalate, his performance as the game progresses is underscored by his average of 7.9 yards per carry in the second half, a statistic that has stood unrivaled over the past three decades. To illustrate, it surpasses even Barry Sanders’ fabled 6.9 yards per carry during his standout 1997 season.
With 116 second-half carries this season, Barkley has not only accumulated yardage but has also found the end zone on seven occasions in these critical moments. It's this second-half dominance that positions him as the NFL's fourth-leading rusher based solely on his performance in these periods. This not only highlights his individual brilliance but also underscores a strategic element in how the Giants approach their ground game, particularly in the latter stages of matches.
The Strategic Shift in Second Halves
Analyzing Barkley's impressive statistics reveals a broader NFL trend where teams adjust and often find greater success running the ball in the second halves of games. Philadelphia Eagles, for instance, currently lead the league with an average of 118.8 second-half and overtime rushing yards per game, at an average of 5.9 yards per carry—a significant indicator of this shift.
Teams increasingly find themselves adapting in real-time to counter the defenses they face, a sentiment echoed by Lane Johnson. "There's a lot of stuff you can game plan through throughout the week, and then, you know, you get to the game and they may show up in a different defense. You have to make those adjustments after each series and like halftime, you know, some plays that maybe don't run the first half, run the second half," Johnson explained.
Kellen Moore’s insights further emphasize a team's adaptation and resilience. He highlighted, "I do think there is an element of -- we pride ourselves on being a really physical run game, and those things wear on you as the game goes on when you get the opportunities we get. And the way the games have played out, you can keep grinding it out as the second half progresses, and those big plays eventually pop."
Chasing Greatness
Barkley's efforts in second halves are not merely about statistical milestones but are redefining what is achievable for running backs in today's NFL. His 920 second-half rushing yards dwarf the combined efforts of running backs like Chuba Hubbard and Najee Harris, casting a spotlight on the unique physical and strategic approach the Giants have harnessed around him.
Mekhi Becton embodies the patience and persistence required for the team and Barkley to succeed under such a spotlight. "Like the run game isn't always gonna hit off the first run. It's one of those things where we gotta keep going and going and wait for it to just hit. I feel like we've done that every game this year," Becton noted, capturing a sentiment shared by many within the Giants' organization.
While MVP honors are traditionally the domain of quarterbacks, Barkley’s exceptional season has reinvigorated the conversation about the value of elite running backs. His tenacity, coupled with his strategic usage, demonstrates the continuing evolution of offensive strategies in the NFL. Whether or not this culminates in MVP recognition remains to be seen, but Barkley's contribution to the game this season is undeniable and highly commendable.