The Pittsburgh Steelers are driving excessive proper now, however that may be short-lived.
Mike Tomlin’s crew will hit the street to sq. off in opposition to one of many hottest groups in your complete league: the Philadelphia Eagles.
With that in thoughts, star linebacker Patrick Queen tipped his hat to Saquon Barkley forward of the competition.
Speaking to the media, the previous Baltimore Ravens star claimed that Barkley was the perfect operating again within the league proper now, dissecting his recreation and what made him so harmful (through Aaron Becker):
“I feel Saquon’s received that title this 12 months. You see what he’s doing. He’s unstoppable proper now. … Simply throughout a superb again. Elusive. Robust. Could make a number of guys miss at one time,” he mentioned.
#Steelers LB Patrick Queen says #Eagles Saquon Barkley is the No. 1 RB within the NFL.
“I feel Saquon’s received that title this 12 months. You see what he’s doing. He’s unstoppable proper now. … Simply throughout a superb again. Elusive. Robust. Could make a number of guys miss at one time.” pic.twitter.com/AcUhrpozUr
— Aaron Becker (@Aaron_M_Becker) December 11, 2024
It’s onerous to disagree with that assertion.
Even an elite linebacker like Queen and a dominant protection just like the Steelers would possibly discover loads of bother getting a maintain of the Penn State product.
Barkley has posted MVP-caliber numbers this season, and he ought to run away with the league’s Offensive Participant of the 12 months honors.
By means of 13 video games, the previous New York Giants star has excelled along with his new crew.
He at present leads the league in dashing makes an attempt (266), dashing yards (1,623), dashing yards per try (6.1), and dashing yards per recreation (124.8).
Additionally, the one cause why he’s not the league chief in dashing touchdowns is due to the Eagles’ notorious “tush push” play and all of the touches they offer Jalen Hurts on the one-yard line.
Barkley has been arguably probably the most impactful signing of the offseason.
The Eagles’ elite operating recreation and offensive line are pounding opponents on the bottom, and this may be the hardest problem the Steelers face all season.