The Kansas City Chiefs may be riding high after back-to-back Super Bowl victories, but the energy around this year’s championship matchup feels different.
As they gear up to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones didn’t hold back when discussing the challenge of stopping Saquon Barkley.
“Oh sh*t… We are in trouble. The league is in trouble,” Jones said of his reaction when the Eagles signed Barkley in free agency last offseason.
“Like LeBron say I see it happening. I was sitting there on my couch. I was like they’re about to get Saquon. I could see it. I don’t know why I said it, I just felt like that, and that’s what happened they got Saquon.”
Jones’ reaction mirrors what many around the NFL felt when the Eagles added Barkley.
The All-Pro running back has been a game-changer for Philadelphia, bringing an explosive new element to their already potent offense.
Meanwhile, Jones has once again been a force in his ninth NFL season, tallying five tackles and four quarterback hits in two playoff games.
Last year, the Chiefs had to contain Christian McCaffrey in the Super Bowl, and despite the 49ers star racking up 160 all-purpose yards, Kansas City escaped with a dramatic 25-22 overtime victory.
This time, Jones and the Chiefs defense face another monstrous test against a balanced attack headlined by Barkley, who is on the verge of history.
“I think it’s good for the game though, man,” Jones continued. “It’s good to see Saquon back being Saquon. I think we kind of got lost in the trance of playing for New York, and we forgot how special that kid is.
“And to see him back playing to his full potential, playing meaningful football in January and February. I’m happy for him.”
Barkley is closing in on one of the greatest statistical seasons for a running back in NFL history.
Including the regular season and playoffs, he has amassed 2,447 rushing yards, the second-most ever in a single season.
He needs just 30 rushing yards on Sunday to surpass Hall of Famer Terrell Davis, who set the record with 2,476 yards in 1998.
Barkley is also on the brink of breaking Davis’ all-time record for yards from scrimmage in a season.
Davis totaled 2,762 combined rushing and receiving yards in 1998 – Barkley sits at 2,760 yards, meaning his first touch on Sunday could etch his name into the record books.
Of course, Davis capped off his legendary season with a Super Bowl win.
If Barkley does the same, he’ll have a strong case for the greatest season by a running back in NFL history.
The stage is set for a battle between a Chiefs dynasty and an Eagles team looking to reclaim the throne.
What are your thoughts on the season Barkley has had? … Should he have gotten more respect in the MVP voting?
More importantly, what’s your prediction for the Super Bowl? … Will Barkley and the Birds derail KC’s dreams of a historic three-peat???
