EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Saquon Barkley's excellent performance on Sunday resulted in him receiving the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award today.
The fifth-year running back rushed for 164 yards on 18 carries (9.1-yard avg.), including a 68-yard run that set up his four-yarder for the Giants' first touchdown of the season. He added a team-high six receptions for 30 yards. With 1:06 remaining in the fourth quarter, Barkley caught a pass from Daniel Jones for the two-point conversion that accounted for the game-deciding points in the Giants' season-opening 21-20 victory against the Tennessee Titans in Nissan Stadium.
Barkley's 164 rushing yards and 194 yards from scrimmage both topped all NFL players on Kickoff Weekend.
View photos from the Giants' Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) hands off the ball during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) prepares to throw during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal (73) signals during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) prepares to throw during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is stopped by New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder (48) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) makes a catch against the Tennessee Titans defense during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) sound the ball against Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker (37) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) makes a touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after making a touchdown run against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) makes a touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after making a touchdown run against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans defense during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) dives to the3 end zone for a touchdown against Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker (37) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after making a touchdown run against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after making a touchdown run against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Nashville. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
The 164 rushing yards was the third-highest total of his career and the most he's had in a game outside FedExField. Barkley ran for a career-high 189 yards on Dec. 22, 2019 and 170 yards on Dec. 9, 2018. Both of those games were in Washington.
Barkley's 68-yard run was on the first play of the third quarter. It is his fourth 68-yard run, tied for the second-longest of his career. Barkley also ran for 68 yards against Jacksonville on Sept. 9, 2018 (his first NFL game); Dec. 30, 2018 vs. Dallas; and vs. Philadelphia on Dec. 29, 2019.
Barkley's longest career run is a 78-yard touchdown at Washington on Dec. 9, 2018.
His 194 yards from scrimmage is the fourth-highest total of his career. He totaled a franchise record 279 yards in Washington on Dec. 22, 2019; 229 yards against Philadelphia on Oct. 11, 2018; and 197 at Washington on Dec.9, 2018.
This is Barkley's third Player of the Week award; he is the only Giants running back to be honored since Ahmad Bradshaw in 2011.
The last Giants player to be selected for the award was quarterback Daniel Jones in Week 4 of last season, after he threw for 402 yards and two touchdowns in an overtime victory in New Orleans. Barkley (3) and Jones (2) are the only Giants to win the Offensive Player of the Week award since 2016.
Barkley was first cited in Week 11 of his 2018 rookie season, when he rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns and scored a third time on a six-yard reception in a 38-35 victory against Tampa Bay in MetLife Stadium.
He also received the award after what is considered the best game of his career, in Washington on Dec. 22, 2019. Barkley set a Giants record with 279 yards from scrimmage (189 rushing and 90 receiving) in a 41-35 victory. The longest run of his 22 carries that day was a 67-yard touchdown. He also scored on a 33-yard pass from Jones.
The previous Giants' mark of 276 yards was set by Tiki Barber vs. Philadelphia on Dec. 28, 2002.
Barkley's 279 scrimmage yards were the highest total by an NFL player in 2019.
