The Giants won week one riding their horse Saquon Barkley to the finish line. Rushing 18 times for 164 yards and a touchdown, Barkley looked like the stallion the Giants hoped for when they drafted him second overall in 2018. He also caught six passes for 30 yards, including a critical two-point conversion that gave the Giants a 21-20 lead with 1:06 left in the fourth quarter.
Saquon looked fast, explosive, intense, and in good health. A promising sign for a Giants fanbase that is looking for any sense of positivity.
Saquon Barkley is officially BACK 😈 pic.twitter.com/AON7ZygcLU
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) September 11, 2022
First half:
Saquon finished the first half with 49 rushing yards on six attempts.
2nd Half Explosion:
Barkley really started to heat up in the second half, delivering a herculean effort to help secure a Giants win.
Huge run:
It’s been nearly 3 years, but Barkley exploded for a 50+ yard rush early in the third quarter:
Saquon Barkley hasn't had a 50+ yard run in 3 years. There he goes!pic.twitter.com/qeGEYVPSzW
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 11, 2022
Putting points on board:
On the same drive, Barkley ran in for a four-yard touchdown to finally deliver the first points of the game for the Giants:
Saquon Barkley puts it in for a Giants touchdown!!!! pic.twitter.com/eE2mv531KB
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) September 11, 2022
Later in the fourth quarter, Saquon would explode for a huge 33 yard run:
Saquon Barkley with another HUGE run! He fumbles at the end but Giants keep the ball! pic.twitter.com/ucbXyqHcj6
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) September 11, 2022
With the Giants in pursuit of scoring, Saquon would rush three more times for 15 yards on the drive and help the Giants get to Tennessee’s three-yard-line.
The result of Barkleys hard work on the drive ended in Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throwing to Chris Myarick for a two-yard touchdown:
https://twitter.com/nflfootballeve1/status/1569102271094394886?s=20&t=5PK_3WdXVsi-r1t9lDTr3g
The Decision:
All the Giants needed to do was kick an extra point to tie it 20-20 with a minute left.
Head coach Brian Daboll had other ideas and called for a ballsy two-point conversion going for the win:
RIGHT WHEN WE NEEDED IT 🙌
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/jUGL1l7VkR
— New York Giants (@Giants) September 11, 2022
It was fitting that Saquon had his numbered called and was able to convert. A masterful performance from the Giants crown jewel, Saquon Barkley had his third career game of 160+ rushing yards. The last time he had 160+ was December 9th 2018 in week 14 against the Washington Commanders when he had 170.
After Titans kicker Randy Bullock missed a 47-yard field goal that would’ve won the game, the camera pans to Daboll and then Barkley fired up in celebration:
GIANTS HOLD ON!
The Titans miss what would've been a game-winning field goal after Saquon Barkley put NY ahead with a two-point conversion 😯
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/Vk5Cpx3iBb
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 11, 2022
Bottom Line:
It was an incredibly important performance by Barkley who showed he can still flash that elite skill-set. The big runs showcased his speed, and the shorter runs put his power on display muscling through the Titans defense. Coach Daboll made the right call for Barkley to receive the ball on the two-point conversion, and his star didn’t let him down.
A gusty, gritty win by the Giants in week one who always seem to lose those close one score games. This should give Barkley confidence going forward that he can return to the monster Giants fans saw his rookie season. Saquon is back, the rest of the league has been warned.
*The Giants host the Carolina Panthers in week 2.
