LANDOVER, Md. — It is a testament to just how quickly Saquon Barkley has become a transformational running back for the Giants that Eli Manning made this startling proclamation after Sunday’s 40-16 drubbing of the Redskins.
A few minutes after Barkley’s spectacular 14-carry, 170-yard, one-touchdown performance against an admittedly undermanned Washington team beset by injuries on both sides of the ball, Manning said Barkley has become the central focus of the team’s offense.
“He’s a tremendous player, and I think we’re starting to figure out that this offense runs through him a little bit,” said Manning, who also had a terrific afternoon with three touchdown passes, no interceptions and a 132.