The Green Bay Packers’ defense was the first to taste the wrath of the Philadelphia Eagles version of running back Saquon Barkley.
The Packers’ stop unit was repeatedly torched by the former Penn State Nittany Lions star. In his first game in Eagles uniform, Barkley proved there is so much left in his tank by coming up with a total of 109 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. He also generated 23 receiving yards and a touchdown on two catches and two targets.
With three touchdowns overall in the game, Barkley reminded everyone in the NFL realm that he’s still a dangerous offensive weapon.
Packers defensive end Rashan Gary appeared to agree to that notion with an honest takeaway about how Barkley lit up Green Bay’s defense.
“He’s always been a good back,” said Gary after the Eagles game, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “Been hitting the holes, and Saquon is Saquon.”
Barkley outplayed his Green Bay counterpart in running back Josh Jacobs, who, like the Eagles tailback, made his debut with a new team back in Week 1.
Jacobs rushed for 84 yards with zero touchdowns on 16 carries. The former Alabama Crimson Tide star also recorded 20 receiving yards on two receptions and three targets.
Green Bay Packers’ run defense to be put on acid test again in Week 2
Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
Gary and the Packers’ defense against the run will be tested heavily again in Week 2, with the Indianapolis Colts coming to town. The Colts are led by a two-way quarterback in Anthony Richardson, who averaged nearly 10 yards per carry and scored a touchdown on just six attempts in Week 1 against the Houston Texans. Indianapolis also has Jonathan Taylor, who led the league with 1,811 rushing yards back in the 2021 NFL season.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
