[Music] squin Barkley has monster debut as Eagles
beat Packers in Brazil there was a memorable scene in Hard Knocks offseason in which New York
Giants co-owner John Mara tells his general manager Joe shern that he didn't want to see
Squan Barkley leave in free agency especially to the Philadelphia Eagles it was brought up
roughly a million times on social media Friday night I'll have a tough time sleeping if Squan
goes to Philadelphia I'll tell you that Mara said Mara might not fall asleep for a few days
after Friday night's game Philadelphia Eagles fans might not either same for Green Bay Packers
fans but for a much different reason Barkley was a GameChanger for the Eagles offense in a
shoot out 34 to 29 win over the Packers in sou Paulo Brazil he became the second player in
Eagles history to score three touchdowns in his debut joining derell Owens in 2004 the game had an
unexpected turn with 6 seconds left when Packers quarterback Jordan love had his foot pinned
underneath an eagles Defender as he was being brought down love was down on the field in pain
and helped off while backup Malik Willis came on to finish the game at quarterback the Packers
will hope that Love's injury doesn't cost him any games when asked about Love's status postgame
head coach Matt lafur said I don't know Barkley used all of his skills to beat the Packers he
had a great reception on a deep pass exploded through a hole for his first touchdown run
and bued his way into the end zone for his third score the Eagles didn't have everything
ironed out in their first game this season but they already know that they added a star on
a fence who might carry them as they figure things out the Eagles have to be fired up about
what their offense could look like with Barkley making plays at running back the game had a lot
of scoring but it wasn't always pretty both teams had trouble with the turf with players on each
side slipping that seemed to get a little better in the second half as teams adjusted their cleats
other parts of the game seemed disjointed whether it was due to being in Brazil the unusual Friday
night kickoff or neither team using starters for almost all of the preseason it didn't help that
there seemed to be a penalty on every other play but there was plenty of excitement Barkley had
a hatrick of touchdowns Packers receiver Jaden Reed had two touchdowns a 33 yd run and a 70 yd
catch AJ Brown added a 67 yd touchdown catch for the Eagles early in the second half there were
big plays and big mistakes too hers threw a bad interception on the first possession of the game
and then another inexcusable one into the end zone in the fourth quarter when he threw across his
body it wasn't always pretty for love either he threw an interception that led to Barkley's thirdd
touchdown and also missed on a lot of passes love completed just 50% of his attempts he seemed to
be cramping up in the second half as the training staff worked on his calves when he was on the
sideline in the fourth quarter the Packers had a choice to make on Fourth and five from the Eagles
8 ydd line there was a little less than 8 minutes remaining they trailed 31 to 26 they chose to kick
a field goal and cut Philly lead to two points instead of going for it hoping they could get the
ball back needing just a field goal to win it but the Eagles who had moved the ball in large chunks
most of the game got deep into Packers territory while chewing up the clock the Packers seemed to
have a third down stop but defensive lineman Kenny Clark was called for holding the second question
questionable defensive holding call on that drive Devon Smith had two big first down catches just
before the two-minute warning the Eagles couldn't punch it in fumbling a snap when they were about
to try a tush push but kicked a field goal with 27 seconds left love went out with the injury and
on Willis couldn't get a Hail Mary attempt of as he was sacked by linebacker Zack Bon who had a
huge game and time expired each team had issues it might take a few weeks and certainly a return
home to feel a little more comfortable but on Friday night the difference was the eagles's new
running back the Giants got a great rookie season out of Barkley and he was never able to replicate
that production though he was good the question was whether some injuries had taken their toll
on him or if the giant situation around Barkley was so bad that he was being held back it seemed
like we got the answer on Friday night the Eagles signed Barkley to a 3-year 37.75 million deal in
the off season which was unusual for them they have generally not invested much in the running
back position obviously they thought Barkley was a special talent he showed that right away on
a leaping touchdown catch in the end zone from herds not all backs have that type of receiving
ability Barkley rushed for 109 yds had a big play in the passing game and gave the Eagles offense
a jolt that it could have used late last season the Eagles were able to grind out a win with an
effective final drive as the Packers desperately tried to get a stop and have one more possession
with a chance to win Barkley was a big part of that game clinching drive as well it wasn't always
the prettiest win for the Eagles especially on defense but it'll be a much better flight back
to the United States with a one to zero record