Tracking Saquon Barkley’s speed for NFL rushing yards record.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley totaled 107 rushing yards in a Week 13 win over the Ravens, giving him 1,499 yards through 12 games. That means he’s on pace to break the single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set by Eric Dickerson in 1984.

Dickerson’s record stood for 40 years, and only eight players have ever hit 2,000 yards rushing. Can Barkley surpass 2,105 yards? After averaging 124.9 yards per game in his first 12 contests, he needs to average 121.4 yards per game the rest of the way to do that. And remember, Barkley has the advantage of an extra game. Dickerson earned his mark during the 16-game season.

The Eagles have relied heavily on his rushing ability this season after signing him as a free agent. Offensive linemen Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson and Jordan Mailata visited coach Nick Sirianni’s office during the Week 5 bye to help spark a more run-oriented offense. Philadelphia leads the NFL with 442 rushing attempts, which has helped Barkley put up those huge numbers.

Will rushing records eventually fall? With Barkley currently on pace for 2,123 yards, we’re tracking his big season as he runs toward Dickerson’s long-standing record. Eagles reporter Tim McManus takes stock of what’s going on, and NFL analyst Ben Solak looks at what lies ahead in the final five games.

Barkley’s performance: Barkley continues to excel in his role as closer. He had 44 rush yards in the first three quarters and iced the game with a 63-yard rush in the fourth, including a 25-yard touchdown scam. He has the second-most rushing yards in the fourth quarter in the play-by-play era (since 1978) by 12 games, behind only Edgerrin James in 2000.

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 25 times for 132 yards in the 12th game of the 1984 season, giving him 1,452 yards on the season. Barkley has 1,499 after 12 games and is 47 yards ahead of Dickerson. That means Barkley is still on pace to break Dickerson’s record, factoring in additional games in a 17-game season.

Barkley’s performance: Barkley set both personal and franchise bests with 255 rushing yards and 302 yards from scrimmage. His two rushing touchdowns both went for more than 70 yards. “You’re already the best running back in the world.” Receiver AJ Brown spoke to him on the sideline. “I think you’re the best player in the world.” — McManus

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 28 times for 149 yards in the 11th game of the 1984 season, giving him 1,320 yards on the season. Barkley had 1,392 yards after 11 games, 72 yards ahead of Dickerson. And for the first time all season, Barkley was on pace to break Dickerson’s record, factoring in extra games in a 17-game season.

Barkley’s performance: Barkley recorded 198 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in the battle for first place in the division. His 26-carry, 146-yard effort marks the sixth time he has recorded 100 yards rushing this season. — McManus

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 21 times for 208 yards in the 10th game of the 1984 season, giving him 1,171 for the season. Barkley is 34 yards behind Dickerson at 1,137 after 10 games.

Barkley’s performance: Barkley had 66 yards on 14 carries. It wasn’t his most active game, but he provided one of the best highlights of the year in the first quarter, turning on the jets after a short reception along the left sideline and blasting past a pair of Cowboys defenders who collided with each other. — McManus

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 13 times for 38 yards in the ninth game of the 1984 season, giving him 963 for the season. Barkley had 991 after nine plays, 28 yards ahead of Dickerson.

Barkley’s performance: Reverse hurdle game! Barkley surprised his teammates in the second quarter when he leapt past cornerback Jarrian Jones for the most impressive 14-yard gain in league history. “It was the best play I’ve ever seen,” Sirianni said. Barkley has 159 yards and a TD on 27 carries and added 40 yards and a score through the air. He had six runs of 10 yards or more. — McManus

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 24 times for 145 yards in the eighth game of the 1984 season, giving him 925 for the season. Barkley also tied Dickerson with 925 in eight games.

Barkley’s performance: Barkley’s best work came in the final frame. He rushed for 57 yards on seven carries on the game-sealing 12-play drive, highlighted by a 17-yard run down the sideline and leaping over a nearby photographer. line. He finished the game with 22 carries for 108 yards. — McManus

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 20 times for 175 yards in the seventh game of the 1984 season, giving him 780 yards on the season. Barkley had 766 after seven plays, 14 yards behind Dickerson.

Barkley’s performance: Barkley went for 176 yards and 17 touchdowns in his return to MetLife Stadium. He was in position to break his own single-game rushing record (then 189 yards), but turned down the opportunity to let the rest of the running backs do the work late in a one-sided game, telling Sirianni, “I’d rather leave the young guys alone.” . “Guys, eat.” — McManus

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 19 times for 107 yards in the sixth game of the 1984 season, giving him 605 for the season. Barkley had 658 after six plays, 53 yards ahead of Dickerson.

Barkley’s performance: This was one of Barkley’s worst statistical performances of the season (18 carries, 47 yards). He averaged just 2.6 yards per carry, but the offense’s newfound commitment to the rushing attack remained steadfast throughout the contest. — McManus

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 22 times for 120 yards in the fifth game of the 1984 season, giving him 498 for the season. Barkley is at 482 after five plays and 16 yards behind Dickerson.

Barkley’s performance: This was a turning point in the season. Barkley barely touched the ball in the early going and still had 84 yards as the Bucs jumped to a 24-0 lead and finished with just 10 carries. Thanks to a nudge from the offensive line, Sirianni focused on the ground game from this point on, sparking a long winning streak. — McManus

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 22 times for 89 yards in the fourth game of the 1984 season, giving him 378 for the season. Barkley had 435 after four plays, 57 yards ahead of Dickerson.

Barkley’s performance: Barkley finished with 147 yards and two touchdowns despite getting just 17 carries (8.6 average). His 65-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter finally put Philadelphia on the winner and served as the catalyst for the narrow victory. — McManus

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 23 times for 49 yards in the third game of the 1984 season, giving him 289 for the season. Barkley had 351 after three plays, 62 yards ahead of Dickerson.

Barkley’s performance: Barkley carried the ball 22 times for 95 yards. His drop near the goal line on third down in the game forced the Eagles to settle for a field goal and helped Atlanta sneak a win. — McManus

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 27 times for 102 yards in the second game of the 1984 season, putting him at 240 for the season. Barkley was at 204 after two plays, 36 yards behind Dickerson.

Barkley’s performance: Barkley signed a three-year, $38 million free agent contract and made the immediate impact the organization had hoped for, rushing for 109 yards, two touchdowns and adding another score through the air. He then mustered his favorite TD of his career in Sao Paulo, Brazil. “I am the first person to score in South America,” Barkley said. “That’s great.” — McManus

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 21 times for 138 yards in Week 1 of the 1984 season, meaning Barkley trailed Dickerson by 29 yards (before factoring in Barkley’s extra games in the now 17-game season).

remaining games

Here’s how Barkley’s matchup plays out: This could be a big deal. The Panthers have certainly been playing better in recent weeks, but the Eagles still outperform them by a significant margin, so there could be a lot of garbage time touches in Barkley’s future. The Panthers have the 6th worst defense in EPA per run allowed, but they don’t give up a lot of explosives. Then again, many teams don’t give up their explosives on the field until they play the Eagles. — Solak

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 28 times for 191 yards in the 13th game of the 1984 season, giving him 1,643 yards on the season. To break the record, Barkley would need to average 121.4 yards over his final five games.

Here’s how Barkley’s matchup plays out: The Steelers have allowed only one back to clear 100 yards against them all season (the Giants’ Tyrone Tracy Jr.), and the Steelers are generally good at taking away their opponents’ biggest strengths. For the Eagles, this means handing the ball to Barkley. The Eagles often have a huge advantage in the trenches, but they have a slight edge against the Steelers’ defensive line. We should still expect Barkley to get his, but this might not be the game for a new scrimmage record. — Solak

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 33 times for 149 yards in the 14th game of the 1984 season, giving him 1,792 yards on the season.

Here’s how Barkley’s matchup plays out: Barkley has already put up 146 yards on the Commanders’ defense in November, capping off a key division win for the Eagles with touchdown runs of 23 and 39 yards. From Week 7 (when defensive tackle Jonathan Allen went down with an injury) to Week 12, the Commanders’ run defense was third-worst in completion percentage. This should definitely be a Barkley game. — Solak

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 27 times for 215 yards (a season high) in the 15th game of the 1984 season, giving him 2,007 yards on the season.

Here’s how Barkley’s matchup plays out: One of Barkley’s worst games of the season came in Week 10 against the Cowboys. He rushed for just 66 yards against one of the worst defenses in the league. The Eagles didn’t need him at all. They had a short field of play from the defense and had easy success in the air. In games where there is a longer field and the deficit isn’t as big as the second half, Barkley will shine. And since this is a Week 17 game, it could be Barkley’s final regular season appearance, depending on the Eagles’ incentives for the Week 18 game. — Solak

Dickerson Comparison: Dickerson rushed 26 times for 98 yards in the 16th and final game of the 1984 regular season, giving him 2,105 yards.

Here’s how Barkley’s matchup plays out: If Barkley plays in Week 18, he would potentially have a team still semi-tanking for the first overall pick and potentially absent star nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II (elbow). But Barkley will have a big first half. Even if there are Eagles what To play, they will likely take quick interest in Barkley, who is integral to their postseason plans. While Lawrence was on the field during the season, the Giants had more scoring explosions than any other defense in the NFL. Once Lawrence gets off the field, the possibilities are endless. — Solak