Fantasy managers should expect Saquon Barkley to keep playing well. 0:33 SaquonBarkley is back. After watching him accumulate 194 total yards, score a touchdown and punch in the game-winning 2-point conversion in Sunday's 21-20 victory over the TennesseeTitans, it's safe to say he's a pretty good player. It wasn't just the long runs that suggested the New York Giants were getting a better version of their fifth-year running back. It was the way he ran with power and explosion that made it clear that he was back. It was a continuation of what was on the field. The coach said that he ran hard. It took a few plays to realize that he was more confident in himself. This was the case this summer, but it was on full display in the season opener. After catching a pass in the left flat on the Giants' fifth offensive play of the contest, he raced to the edge, where he was met at the 27 yard line by theTitans. This was a play last season where he would have taken a small gain and scooted out of bounds. He drove Fulton back to the 31 yard line after plowing into him. The Giants converted a third-and- short on the play. It's time to set your mindset. What was different on Sunday from a year ago was more confidence. He tried to ignore the idea that the first year after a tornACL is hard. A player is not the same as someone else. He was pretending to be something he wasn't. He injured his ankle when he stepped on the foot of a Cowboys player. He had his third straight injury- ravaged campaign. He was such a shell of his former self that his rushing yards over expectation per carry last season was minus 0.28 On average, he was a below average running back. The third-best number for a running back in Week 1 is the RYOE/C, which was plus-4.87 for Barkley, meaning he produced almost five yards better than the average ball carrier. I knew we were going to have a good game. The timing was right. It wasn't just a mindset change, it was just trusting myself and letting my ability show. It is all there according to the numbers. In the third quarter, he ran down the left sideline at a rate of 21.2 miles per hour. He has recorded the fourth-fastest time in his career since Week 17 of the season. The power is back. His teammates don't think he's at your own risk. "We have the best back in the league," Shepard said. On Sunday, he showed it. There's nothing more to say. He brought the ball to the game field because he loves the way he has been running the ball. He deserves everything because he has been working off and on. I can't wait to see him again. Why Ryan focused on the Colts.
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It's something the Giants haven't seen a lot of in the last three years because of the injuries to Saquon. Since being named the starter in the middle of the year, Daniel Jones hasn't played with a fully healthy Barkley. He liked the idea of starting in 2022.
It was fun to watch him. He has battled back from a lot of injuries and has had a great camp. It was a lot of fun to watch him do what he did on Sunday.
The offensive line did a good job. They struggled in pass protection, allowing 18 pressures on 26 dropbacks, but they were able to open big holes for Barkley to explode through. The Giants had more yards before contact than any other team in a game since 2009.
The good news is that the Giants have a player who can play at a high level if he stays injury free. They have to figure out where else they can get offense. Shepard's 65-yard touchdown reception on a blown coverage in the third quarter was the only thing that helped New York.
Kenny Golladay had two catches for 22 yards, but he wasn't a factor. Wan' Dale Robinson left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury and is questionable for the rest of the game. Last year's first-round pick Kadarius Toney is still shrouded in mystery. He played just seven snaps and was nowhere to be found on the depth chart.
There is a competitive situation with our receiver position. They will be evaluated a week to a week. Everybody needs to earn their role relative to inactives or plays. It could be a whole game or it could be a little. Kadarius has learned a lot. I don't think he knows our information.
Maybe it's Toney or someone else. If this offense is going to reach its full potential, the Giants are going to need other people to help. It will be interesting to see if Daboll tries to incorporate Toney more into the game plan this week because it doesn't seem like they're going to feed Golladay volume regardless of how much he gets paid.
In the meantime, the Giants have something to rely on with Barkley being back to what he was before. Another big game is on the horizon. Carolina allowed 5.6 yards per carry in their opener and will be facing New York this weekend.
At the end of an answer following Sunday's game, Daboll said he was glad 26 was on the team.
It's at least this version.
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