No longer flagged for his leaps, Barkley, 27, is feted for his continued ascendance. In his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles and seventh in the NFL, residents of his hometown, which is 68 miles northwest of Lincoln Financial Field, crane their necks to keep track of his every rush.

The Philadelphia Eagles coasted to a 20-13 victory in Week 18 over the New York Giants, even though they chose to rest most of their starters. That was a somewhat controversial decision due to Saquon Barkley's pursuit of the single-season rushing record, and Jason Kelce was not happy with the decision that the Eagles made.