EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – In what could be the first of many such honors, Saquon Barkley has been selected the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Barkley had the most impactful performance of his sensational rookie season in the Giants' 38-35 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. He rushed for 142 yards on 27 carries, both season highs, and added two receptions for 10 yards. Barkley scored three touchdowns – on a six-yard reception and runs of five and two yards.
He is the first Giants player to score three touchdowns in a game since Odell Beckham had three touchdown receptions in New Orleans on Nov. 1, 2015 and the first Giants running back to score three touchdowns from scrimmage since Ahmad Bradshaw scored on three one-yard runs vs. Buffalo on Oct. 16, 2011.
Barkley is the first Giants player to score on a reception and a run in the same game since wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan against Washington on Dec. 29, 2013 (24-yard catch, 49-yard run); the first running back to accomplish the feat since Bradshaw, who scored touchdowns on a five-yard run and 10-yard catch against Dallas on Jan. 1, 2012; and the first Giants rookie to do it since running back Butch Woolfolk vs. the Houston Oilers on Dec. 5, 1982 (two-yard run, 40-yard reception).
Barkley is also the first Giants back with two rushing touchdowns in a game since Rashad Jennings at Jacksonville on Nov. 20, 2014 (runs of two and 17 yards).
Barkley's 142 rushing yards are the fifth-highest total ever by a Giants rookie, and the highest since Bradshaw's 151 yards at Buffalo on Dec. 23, 2007. His 27 rushing attempts are the most by a Giants player since Jennings had 27 carries vs. Philadelphia on Jan. 3, 2016, and the most by a Giants rookie since Joe Montgomery set the team rookie record with 38 vs. the Jets on Dec. 5, 1999.
Barkley's 10 receiving yards increased his season total to 540, a Giants record for a rookie running back. David Meggett previously held the record with 531 yards in 1989.
Barkley has 1,268 scrimmage yards (728 rushing, 540 receiving) and 10 touchdowns (seven rushing, three receiving) in his first 10 career games. He is the sixth player in NFL history to record at least 1,200 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns in their first 10 games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk, and Ezekiel Elliott, Adrian Peterson and Billy Sims.
The second overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley is the first Giants player to win a Player of the Week award in exactly a year. Safety Landon Collins was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after the Giants defeated Kansas City in Week 11 of the 2017 season. Before Barkley, the last Giants player honored as Offensive Player of the Week was
Odell Beckham, Jr., in Week 6 of the 2016 season vs. Baltimore.
Barkley is the just the second Giants rookie to win an Offensive Player of the Week award, which were instituted in 1984. Tight end Jeremy Shockey was selected in Week 17 of the 2002 season.
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