Saquon Barkley Seeks Redemption Against Jets Defense
Until his season-ending ACL tear against the Chicago Bears in Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley's worst NFL game ever came on November 10, 2019.
The team? The New York Jets, whom the Giants happen to be hosting this weekend. The setup? The Jets defense held Barkley to just ONE rushing yard on 13 carries in a 34-27 Jets triumph.
"That was probably, before I ever had an ACL or anything like that, the lowest moment I had as a player," Barkley said of his lone regular-season appearance against the Jets thus far.
To his credit, Barkley, who added that he tries not to think about that game all that much, rebounded nicely the rest of the season, even going so far as to post back-to-back 100+ yard rushing performances in Weeks 15 and 16.
"I liked how I responded. I think I played pretty well in the next couple of weeks and had one of my better games two or three weeks after that. So, you learn from it."
He's learned plenty since that game, including dealing with the ACL injury suffered the following season that for two years robbed him of that special ability he was well known for.
But now that he's healthy enough after a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 2, Barkley, who grew up as a Jets fan, isn't so much focused on the past as he is about the future, starting with the upcoming game against the Jets this Sunday.
"Definitely excited. For me personally, I didn’t really have too great a game the last time I went against these guys. That was years ago, but that still weighs heavy on my mind," he said.
"I get an opportunity to go out there against a really good team, a really good defense, and they’re playing really well, on a high level. Try to continue to get this winning streak going.
While every game played is a blessing for Barkley, no one could blame him if he's also looking forward to an opportunity to avenge that performance against a Jets run defense ranked 26th in the league due to allowing 135.2 yards per game.
"Like I said, that’s years past; this is a new team," he said. "I'm just excited to go against that team."
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