The New York Giants have a robust 7-4 record on the season, but they have lost two games in a row, and many feel their momentum is slowing down.
Much concern in the New York City area media has been centered around the play of running back Saquon Barkley, who has run for just 22 and 39 yards in their last two games, respectively.
Quarterback Daniel Jones was asked about the notion that Barkley is wearing down because of his usage rate, but Jones doesn’t believe it’s any concern.
Daniel Jones says he hasn’t noticed Saquon Barkley slowing down at all:
“He’s playing well, and I’m excited to watch him out there on Sunday” pic.twitter.com/pOlXTIfCkI
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) November 29, 2022
The Giants Are Greatly Dependent On Barkley
Jones is playing well, but he isn’t a dynamic quarterback, and the Giants have one of the most anemic passing offenses in the NFL, as they also lack any bona fide weapons at wide receiver or tight end.
Simply put, Barkley es the Giants’ offense.
He has carried the ball 224 times in 11 games, which has yielded 992 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
.@saquon finishes off the drive. @Giants are up!
📺: #NYGvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/6zODjip4a7 pic.twitter.com/GI7UTTW4jA—NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2022
Those numbers are outstanding, but there is reason to be concerned.
Barkley is on pace for well over 300 carries this season, and historically, when a running back gets that many carries in a single season, he faces a fairly high risk of serious injury.
In the past, Terrell Davis, Jamal Anderson, Adrian Peterson and more recently, Derrick Henry, have all suffered major injuries shortly after registering over 300 carries in a season.
No matter how well the Giants do in the playoffs this season, getting a Pro Bowl-caliber wide receiver has to be a high priority for them, if for no other reason than to reduce the wear and tear on Barkley.
After all, he had been slowed by serious injuries in both of the last two seasons.
