Saquon Barkley powers NY Giants to upset win over New Orleans Saints

The NY Giants came back to beat the New Orleans Saints in overtime, as Saquon Barkley had one of the more dominant performances of his career

Saquon Barkley put the NY Giants on his back in the second half, and overtime, against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon and lifted New York to its first win of the season.

With 4:15 remaining in overtime, Barkley powered through the middle of the line for a five-yard touchdown, to complete the Giants’ 27-21 comeback win.

Jones, even without Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, who were out due to hamstring injuries, passed for 401 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Sunday’s victory was NY Giants quarterback Daniel Jones’ third fourth quarter comeback of his career, and Barkley led the way.

The NY Giants lined Barkley up as an outside receiver with 6:52 remaining in the fourth quarter, and Barkley turned on the after-burners to get behind Saints defensive back Marshon Lattimore for a 54-yard touchdown.

Barkley finished Sunday’s game with 52 rushing yards and a touchdown, while adding five receptions for 74 yards and a score.

Sunday’s game clearly was the most diligent attempt yet by this coaching staff to get Barkley involved in the passing game, utilizing his big-play ability as a duel-threat, which could and should be a harbinger of the direction the NY Giants’ offense should take.

Beyond Barkley’s ability to alter Sunday’s game, and make two of its biggest plays, the NY Giants have to be encouraged that the fourth-year running back appears to be all the way back physically from his 2020 torn ACL that seemed to limit him at times through the first three games of this season.

Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com.