NFL’s Elite Running Backs Ignite Historic Week 12 Showdown
In an electrifying display of NFL rushing prowess, two of the league’s premier running backs, Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley, are locked in an intense battle for rushing supremacy as Week 12 unfolds.
On Sunday, the spotlight first shined on Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles, who delivered a jaw-dropping performance against the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley exploded for 255 yards and two touchdowns, powering the Eagles to a 37-20 victory.
His extraordinary showing included two spectacular touchdown runs of 70 and 72 yards, pushing him to the top of the NFL rushing leaderboard with 1,392 yards through 11 games.
The historic implications of Barkley’s performance cannot be understated. He’s currently on pace to reach 2,151 yards this season, which would set a new NFL record. This achievement would place him in an elite club of nine running backs that crossed the 2,000-yard threshold in a single season.
Adding to the drama, Barkley is now within striking distance of breaking Eagles legend LeSean McCoy’s franchise records, needing just 216 yards and eight rushing touchdowns to claim these historic marks.
But the story doesn’t end there. Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens, known for his powerful running style, sits close behind with 1,185 yards. The “King” will have his chance to respond when his Ravens (7-4) face the Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) at SoFi Stadium on Monday night. Henry needs 208 yards to reclaim the rushing lead, a challenging but not impossible task for a player of his caliber.
The mutual respect between these elite runners was evident when Henry took to social media during Barkley’s outstanding performance, tweeting, “@saquon GO CRAZY GANGSTA!!” This display of sportsmanship adds another layer to their compelling rivalry.
Looking at the matchup statistics, Henry faces a Chargers defense ranked 10th against the run, allowing 110.5 yards per game. The Ravens’ ground game has been exceptional this season, ranking second-best in rushing offense with 177.3 yards per game.
Henry’s season average of 107.7 yards per game and his consistency surpassing the 85.5-yard mark in 54.5% of his games suggest he could make this rushing title race even more enjoyable.
The Ravens’ overall offensive efficiency—they lead the NFL with 7.2 yards per play—and Henry’s proven ability to break out for massive games sets the stage for another historic performance on Monday night.
As Week 12 unfolds, football fans are witnessing what could become one of the most memorable rushing battles in recent NFL history. With both Barkley and Henry showing no signs of slowing down, this race for the rushing title promises to keep spectators on the edge of their seats through the remainder of the season.