From the 610 to the Super Bowl: Here are Saquon Barkley's best plays as an Eagle

WHITEHALL, Pa. — The Philadelphia Eagles have a special talent in running back Saquon Barkley.

Signed last year in the off-season from the New York Giants on a three-year, $37.75 million deal, Barkley has quickly proven himself to be one of the Eagles' —and NFL's — best to ever do it.

What makes season even sweeter? He's a local guy, having grown up in Coplay and cut his teeth with the Whitehall High School Zephyrs.

"I have the opportunity to come back and stay close to home," Barkley said during his introductory press conference with the team in March 2024. "I wanted to do this [play football] since I was a little kid. My dad, my mom, my brothers and sisters can attest to that. That's something I can take pride in."

Now, the Lehigh Valley is represented at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, where Barkley, Nazareth High grad Jahan Dotson and the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles are squaring off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

Ahead of the big game, here's a look at Barkley's best plays and memorable moments from the 2024 season.

A save against the Saints

Following a heartbreaking Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the 1-1 Eagles trotted into the Superdome in New Orleans (go figure) on Sept. 22.

The Saints led 3-0 until well into the fourth quarter when Barkley, on a 2nd & 5, broke loose on a 65-yard touchdown run that would mount the beginning of a Philadelphia comeback.

The Saints quickly struck back with a Derek Carr dart to wide receiver Chris Olave with two minutes left in the fourth quarter, sending the Superdome into a frenzy of cheers and Eagles fans into tears.

Two minutes was plenty of time for quarterback Jalen Hurts, who, following a 61-yard catch-and-run pass from tight end Dallas Goedert, put Barkley in a position to finish the job. Barkley, with one minute remaining, rumbled forward from the 10-yard line for the touchdown and the following successful 2-point conversion.

A Reed Blankenship interception in the following defensive series sealed the deal.

The Birds would go on to win 15-12.

A statement against the Rams

It was Week 12, and the Philadelphia Eagles had found their groove. Heading into SoFi Stadium for a Nov. 25 matchup, the Eagles boasted the titles of having the league's top defense and rushing offense. They also touted an impressive 4-1 road record at the time.

Their rushing successes were mostly due to Barkley, who, during the game, rushed for a franchise single-game record of 255 yards and two touchdowns, with 182 of those yards coming after halftime. The first 70-yard run opened up the third quarter, and the second 72-yarder came later in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for Matthew Stafford's Rams.

Barkley is the 13th player in NFL history to top 300 scrimmage yards in a single game, and only the second to do so in prime time.

Said NBC commentator Mike Tirico following Barkley's second touchdown in the fourth quarter: "What a night. What a season. What a player."

A record-breaking run against the Panthers

A simple 9-yard scamper up midfield may seem like a routine play for most running backs, but for Saquon Barkley, it meant so much more.

The Eagles played the Carolina Panthers in Week 14, and Barkley entered the game 109 yards shy of breaking LeSean "Shady" McCoy's record for most single-season rushing yards in franchise history.

The number to beat was 1,607 yards, and Barkley finished that game with 1,623 yards on the season in the 22-16 victory.

The moment he smashed the record late in the fourth quarter, chants of "MVP!" filled Lincoln Financial Field as Barkley received handshakes and high-fives from teammates.

Even Shady himself offered his congratulations on X by sharing a short video message.

Barkley made sure to credit the Eagles' offensive line following the game, saying "Gotta give credit to the guys up front. They've made my job a lot easier so far this year. Hopefully, it will continue."

He also told NBCSports Philadelphia that "Records are great, but the season’s far from over and there are a lot of other things that we would love to accomplish."

Hurdlin' to new heights against the Jaguars

You didn't think we'd forget this one, did you?

Perhaps one of the most electrifying plays of the 2024 NFL season, Barkley combined quickness, athleticism and a touch of magic to defy gravity on a 3rd & 6 play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 6.

After a quick pass from Jalen Hurts, Barkley spins, makes one defender miss, then launches himself upright into the air and hurdles defender Jarrian Jones — backwards — to convert for a first down.

He set Lincoln Financial Field into a frenzy and left broadcasters speechless.

Following a postgame interview, Barkley says that he "let my body just react" and that the play was "cool and all."

The Eagles play The Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.