Eagles’ decision to not let Saquon Barkley break rushing-record did not turn this into a ‘Super Bowl or bust’ run

Nick Sirianni announced Wednesday that the Eagles will be resting their key starters in Week 18 against the Giants, including Saquon Barkley.

Yes, this means Barkley will not be breaking Eric Dickerson’s long-lasting single-season rushing record, even though he is 101 yards away.

Would it have been cool to see him do it against his former team at Lincoln Financial Field? Absolutely. But for reasons of injury and rest, it is the right decision.

READ MORE: Should Saquon Barkley, Eagles starters play vs. Giants on Sunday?

But now, all of a sudden, this decision has turned this Eagles playoff run into “Super Bowl or bust.” What?

This makes no sense. The two just have nothing to do with each other.

If Barkley gets the record, the Eagles do not have to win a Super Bowl? Because they are not letting a guy break a record, they have to win a Super Bowl?

Do not understand it.

Now, if Barkley were to go out there and go for the record, this would require the whole offensive line, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and other starters suiting up to make the tires turn and the oils flow. Last season, Brown was injured in a meaningless Week 18 game at MetLife Stadium, and missed the Wild Card game in Tampa Bay.

And whether the starters were playing or not, they would still be Super Bowl or bust. They have had that mindset for the past three seasons. Why do you think they gave Barkley that contract back in the spring, anyway?

The Eagles were always going to be criticized based on their postseason success. There have been zero alterations to this team’s playoff hopes with their decision to rest the starters.

In Jordie of Barstool Sports’ story that kind of fueled this debate, he wrote that there are “zero moral victories to this playoff run” and “there aren’t any excuses about having to go on the road for the NFC Championship Game.”

Two things. One, moral victories do not exist. And two, the Eagles were going on the road for the NFC Championship game if they play the NFC North champion — which is either the Vikings or Lions and will be decided on Sunday Night Football — anyway. The Eagles did not have a shot at the No. 1 seed this week, regardless.

The Eagles have played a game in 12 straight weeks and will be hosting either the Packers or Commanders in the first round of the playoffs next weekend. Want to go on a deep playoff run with your guys rested and fully fueled up to go? Rest your starters. This is about a Super Bowl, not a personal record.

Sorry, Saquon.

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