The Ravens (8-4) host the Eagles (9-2) at M&T Bank Stadium, and the biggest storyline will center around Saquon Barkley (Eagles) and Derrick Henry (Ravens), the NFL’s No. 1 and No. 2 rushers.
Both players are worthy MVP candidates who will battle for the rushing title and a chance at 2,000+ yards rushing.
Following Baltimore’s Wednesday practice, Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson told the media that he once saw Barkley leap over a defender’s head during a high school All-Star game.
“In high school, we were in the All Star game together and Saquon jumped over somebody’s head.”
@Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/TRGLfrXMbh
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 27, 2024
Thanks to both teams’ explosive running backs and dual-threat quarterbacks, Sunday’s game will feature the NFL’s top two rushing teams. Philadelphia is No. 1 in the league with 193.4 yards per game, followed by Baltimore’s 180.2 yards per game. History suggests whichever team dominates on the ground will win this game.
On top of leading the league in rushing yards, Barkley leads the league in rushing yards per game (126.5), rushing average (6.2), and 100+ yard rushing games (seven, including five in the last six games). Barkley is T-4th in the NFL in rushing touchdowns (10), behind Henry (13), Jalen Hurts (11) and David Montgomery (11), while he is 1st in rushing touchdowns of 20+ yards (5), 30+ yards (4), 40+ yards (3) and 70+ yards (2).