3. Running back Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley should firmly be in the 2022 NFL MVP conversation. While, Barkley did not have his best or most efficient game on Sunday, he stepped up when the Giants needed him the most.
Barkley had 22 carries for 83 yards to go along with 12 receiving yards despite battling through a lingering shoulder injury. After Love’s game-changing interception, Barkley took a handoff with 1:43 to go in the game, and went full Air Barkley, flying into the end zone to give the Giants a 24-20 lead, their first of the game.
Saquon goes airborne to give the @Giants the lead!
— NFL (@NFL) October 16, 2022
📺: #BALvsNYG on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/a2TYogddvg pic.twitter.com/MZPtQjQJWX
On the final series of the game – after Thibodeaux’s strip-sack – Barkley put the game on ice. Displaying his elite football IQ, Barkley took a handoff from Jones, and despite having a walk-in touchdown, he wisely slid down at the one yard line to ensure the Giants would be able to run out the clock, something Nick Chubb failed to do earlier this season. Props to Barkley for another impressive showing.