Eagles fans stick it to Giants as Saquon Barkley dazzles again: ‘They’re stupid’

BALTIMORE — Eagles running back Saquon Barkley’s weekly tradition of embarrassing the New York Giants’ front office has given Philadelphia’s fanbase a sense of joy.
During the Eagles’ 24-19 win over the Ravens on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, Barkley made the Giants look foolish for allowing him to leave in free agency and gave Eagles fans another reason to love him.
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With less than eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Barkley rushed for a 25-yard, game-sealing touchdown and loud chants of “M-V-P” erupted.
“With him on the Eagles, it’s like (Jesus) Christ has come down on our team and said ‘(expletive) the rest of the NFL,’” said Eagles fan Blake Pegler, 22, from Bel Air, Maryland.
Hours before kick off, Pegler and other Eagles fans in attendance shared their thoughts on Barkley and a few of them even ripped the Giants for not re-signing him.
During most of his six-year tenure with the Giants, Barkley struggled to elevate a porous offense and dealt with nagging injuries. So Giants general manager Joe Schoen didn’t believe signing Barkley to an expensive new deal would be a smart investment.
Barkley, who signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Eagles this past offseason, has been a great addition to Philadelphia’s offense.
He has amassed 1,499 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns through 13 weeks, which is on pace to break Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson’s rushing record of 2,105 yards. Those numbers have helped him become an MVP front-runner.
Over the next five weeks, Barkley could put up bigger numbers and make more clutch plays to help Philadelphia clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
“You’re now just seeing what he always should have been, ” said Chad, 21, from Philadelphia. “It’s a shame we had to wait this long to see it.”
After the season, Giants owner John Mara could fire Schoen and coach Brian Daboll.
Hunter Ramirez, an Eagles fan from Virginia Beach, Virginia, said the Giants need to make a change because “you can’t let one of the best players in the NFL leave.”
Ramirez, who wore a Kelly Green Barkley jersey to Sunday’s game, also said a few of his friends are Giants fans and some of them are still upset about losing Barkley.
Barkley was supposed to become New York’s next superstar, but it never fully worked out. He only made two Pro Bowls (2018 and 2022) with the Giants and never made an All-Pro team.
Now, he has rejuvenated his career with the Eagles and could become one of the best players in franchise history.
“He’s been great,” said Herb Dozier, 35, from Loris, South Carolina. “He’s such an elusive back. I don’t even know what the Giants’ front office was thinking by giving him up. We’re going to win the Super Bowl.”
Two years ago, the Giants chose to give quarterback Daniel Jones, whom they released two weeks ago, a long-term contract extension over Barkley — a decision that was heavily criticized.
“I think they’re stupid, and they’re never going to win anything,” said Tim Breslin, 15, from South Jersey.
Barkley was the first running back to rush for more than 100 yards against Baltimore’s defense this season, amassing 107 rushing yards on 23 attempts.
Last week, he rushed for 255 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ win over the Rams. And in six of their last seven games, he has rushed for more than 100 yards.
His success has been a pleasant surprise for some people.
“I was a little concerned about his injury history,” said Wayne Cohee, 53, from Milford, Delaware. “I didn’t expect him to do this well. He’s certainly exceeded expectations,”
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