The Washington Commanders had one big plan in mind against the Philadelphia Eagles. They had to stop running back Saquon Barkley no matter the cost.
Washington did a pretty good job on Barkley all things considered during their two regular-season meetings. He still got 296 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but nobody can truly contain the former first-round pick out of Penn State.
It didn't take long for Barkley to impose himself in the NFC Championship game. This was the last thing Washington needed after an encouraging 17-play drive to begin proceedings that ended with a Zane Gonzalez field goal.
The running back didn't need anything more than one play to make an impact. Barkley broke free and evaded the tackles of Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin before blazing a trail into the end-zone for a 60-yard score.
All week the Commanders have focused on finding ways to stop Barkley. It wasn't going to be easy without the services of veteran defensive tackle Daron Payne. This was not the way defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. wanted his unit to impose themselves right out of the gate.
SAQUON ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
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This also continued Barkley's devastating form versus the Commanders in the first quarter. His statistics over the opening 15 minutes are nothing short of astonishing — something that continued in this one to give Washington a mountain to climb.
Commanders cannot stop Saquon Barkley in the first quarter
In three first quarters against the Commanders this season, Barkley has run for 200 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Individual mistakes haven't exactly helped Washington's cause, but Whitt and his staff have had no answer for the NFL MVP candidate.
Very few have the formula to stop Barkley, so the Commanders aren't alone in that regard. No matter the adjustments or momentum generated in other games, they cannot seem to limit his influence to begin contests.
That's deeply concerning. And unless the Commanders get this figured out sooner rather than later, it'll be a thorn in their side for years to come.
The Commanders had no margin for error at Lincoln Financial Field. Morale sapped from the team after an abysmal opening where Barkley helped himself to two scores. It extends his phenomenal campaign that continues to make the New York Giants look foolish for letting him walk to a division rival in free agency.
Barkley is a superstar, but the Commanders knew that already. And more often than not, it comes to their detriment.