NY Giants studs and duds from disastrous 17-14 loss to Atlanta Falcons

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 26: Adoree' Jackson #22 of the New York Giants misses an interception during the fourth quarter in the game against Atlanta Falcons in the game at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 26: Adoree' Jackson #22 of the New York Giants misses an interception during the fourth quarter in the game against Atlanta Falcons in the game at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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NY Giants, Saquon Barkley
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

NY Giants RB Saquon Barkley: Stud

Barkley still doesn’t look fully healthy.

It’s fair to wonder if Barkley is out there at 100 percent, when in the open-field with a blocker leading the way he wasn’t able to shake a Falcons defender on a third-down screen pass on the NY Giants’ final possession.

Still, Sunday afternoon was the closest Barkley has looked to his explosive, elusive self since tearing his ACL in Week 2 of the 2020 campaign.

Barkley finished Sunday with a season high 51 rushing yards and added 43 receiving yards, while averaging just over three yards per carry.

With 12:56, Barkley leaped into the end zone for his first touchdown in 637 days, dating back to Dec. 2019.

Sunday was the kind of performance that showed that Barkley is making real progress in his comeback from last season’s injury.

"“There’s definitely more to go,” Barkley said after the game. “I can see it. My teammates can see it. They’ve been telling me it’s coming, that I’m starting to look like myself again. I knew this road wasn’t going to be easy. This season didn’t start how we would have liked, but I’m going to keep coming to work, keep pushing myself, keep pushing the team, keep being a leader, and keep going.”"

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